Fijian veteran Ben Volavola is already feeling at home in the Sunshine State, with a combination of playing under Les Kiss, the challenge of Super Rugby Pacific and being closer to family, seeing the 38-capped international bringing him back to Australia.
The Reds senior men’s squad are back training after a valuable month off following their October series win against Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, which followed in the footsteps of the inaugural Super Rugby AUS season and a trip to Tonga.
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For Volavola, the chance to be closer to family and swap the cold of England to the warm weather of Brisbane under incoming Wallabies head coach Les Kiss proved a chance too good to miss.
“It's been different coming from England last year, from the cold and then straight into the heat, into pre-season, but really enjoying it,” the Fijian international told reporters on Tuesday.
“The first few days have been awesome. Everyone here has welcomed me with open arms and is really just excited to get into it with the guys.
“I think the Reds play an exciting attacking game. They try to implement a very smart kicking game within their attacking game.
“They play outside the box, which is very exciting, and they [have an] attack-first mindset, which is so exciting for me. It's a style that I love playing. Obviously, we have this time during the preseason to be able to get our bodies into shape to play that style of game.
“Just from his [Kiss]’ aura, he's very inviting, a very easy man to get along with. That enables us to express ourselves in the ways that we can and desire, and that can only complement the entire squad.”
“My immediate family is here, so my brother, my mum. When I first left, I left as a young, single man, returning now with a wife and a son.
“Our family is expanding as well. I think that aspect of being able to play in front of my loved ones is an exciting prospect, but also just to mingle with familiar faces as well.”
Volavola believes his versatility is where he can best complement the dangerous Queensland outfit, having slotted into nearly every backline position across his 12+ year career.
It also helps that the role is similar to the one he held at Leicester Tigers under Michael Cheika over the last few years.
“[It’s] a very young team, very young squad with a lot of potential, backed by a great coaching squad,” Volavola said of his new outfit.
“I've tried to keep up to date with highlights over in Europe and just watching the Super Rugby competition in that way. The Reds have always been at the top in regards to the Australian teams; they've also given the New Zealand teams a handful of problems as well.
“I worked with Michael Cheika, my first coach at the Waratahs, who came to Leicester Tigers. His supporting team enabled me to learn a lot, as well as some of the senior guys in that team. I learned so much in just a short period of time in that one season.
“I hope that I'm able to convey and share that knowledge with the guys over here at the Reds, because it was invaluable for me.
“In the game of rugby, combinations go a long way. Sometimes, whether it be the environment and the crowd, fatigue, there are times we are not communicating.
“I think great combinations, when they arise, are when you just look at someone or a teammate, and you know what they're expecting or what they're wanting, and you're playing off of them and them off of you as well.
“I know and expect what my centres want, my fullback wants, and my wingers and what they're wanting, because I've been in those positions before. That's added to my game.”
Volavola will have stiff competition for starting positions, with the Reds boasting an imposing 17 Wallabies in their ranks, including current flyhalves Tom Lynagh and Carter Gordon to go with Australia A playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
However, the 38-capped Fijian believes there is plenty he can bring as the Reds look to snap a 15-year streak and win their second title.
“My focus right now is to perform the best that I can for the Reds,” the veteran affirmed.
“I've been blessed to play a number of positions over my career.
“Right now, personally, I try to stay present. That right now is to get myself in the best shape that I can for the guys here at the Reds and have a great Super season.”
