Former St George Illawarra player Willie Manu says he is causing coach Nathan Brown fewer headaches since the pair reunited in the UK.

The Sydney-born 32-year-old is the latest signing for Super League club St Helens, coached by Brown, and the one-time Dragons duo are now enjoying a more effective relationship, reports British tabloid the Daily Star.

“I think I drove Browny mad before because back then I did not really take rugby as seriously as I do now,” Manu said.

“I was young and just happy to be in the team and my attitude wasn’t right. I wasn’t working as hard as I should have done.

“I was a big drinker growing up and my whole diet was wrong – I didn’t like vegetables at all.”

Six years ago the forward shifted from the Dragons to Super League club Castleford, before joining Hull a year later. Manu is now back wearing a red V, this time for St Helens, and said the experience he’s gained along the way – including playing alongside countryman Craig Fitzgibbon at Hull – has proven valuable.

“Craig changed my whole attitude about things, like diet and recovery after games.

“If you look at photos of me when I was at Castleford, you will see a big difference because I’ve lost a lot of weight,” said Manu, adding that he’s cut back his fast food and alcohol intake.

“It’s also much easier to train and play when you do the right things.

“I had never managed 80 minutes before but after I changed I was playing longer and better.”

Brown conceded there had been a change in Manu since the pair worked together at Kogarah.

“He is a lot different to the Willie I coached years ago, but things come through experience and he’s made adjustments in his life,” Brown said.

“Most weeks now Willie has a good impact for his team. Opposition coaches are always wary of him and he is one we think can really add to the St Helens team.”