Life may have been a beach for Ben Hannant since leaving the Broncos but the veteran forward is not in holiday-mode at new NRL club North Queensland.
While he may wear the same amount of sunscreen as a tourist, the fair haired ex-Test prop has been all business in sunny Townsville as he looks to reignite his representative career at the Cowboys.
Since leaving the Broncos, Hannant, 29, has spent the last month surfing in Bali and on the Sunshine Coast with family, including taking part in the Noosa Triathlon.
But he made an immediate impact at the Cowboys’ first day of pre-season training on Wednesday, impressing at drills including a 1.2km time trial.
“I still believe my best footy is ahead of me and I am looking forward to ripping in, getting an opportunity and making it count,” Hannant said.
Asked if he believed he could snap a two year drought and add to his 12 Origins and six Tests during his Cowboys tenure, Hannant said: “Yeah, but that comes when you are playing good footy.
“I just want an opportunity to be a part of this great team which finished the season off red hot and still have plenty more to give.
“I am getting on board. I just have to make sure I bring plenty of sunscreen with me.”
Hannant took a significant pay cut to sign a one-year Cowboys deal but said the “massive incentive” was featuring in a front row rotation boasting Test props James Tamou and co-captain Matt Scott.
Hannant hoped the lure of featuring in a star-studded pack also enticed North Queensland’s in-demand Kiwi lock Jason Taumalolo to stay in Townsville.
Off contract next season, Taumalolo’s Four Nations heroics have made him one of the NRL’s most sought after forwards.
Up to 10 clubs are reportedly circling.
“I am just looking forward to playing alongside him,” Hannant said of Taumalolo.
“(But) this is a great club on the up, this is the place you want to be at.
“As long as he is playing good footy and he loves the culture here I have no doubt he will be keen to stay.”
Hannant ended his latest four-year Broncos stint after falling out with former coach Anthony Griffin and not featuring in returning mentor Wayne Bennett’s plans.
“Unfortunately down there (at Brisbane) all their positions were full – I am excited about buying into the culture up here,” he said.
Hannant – seen as a ready made replacement for England-bound Ashton Sims – hopes to make his debut for North Queensland at the Auckland Nines.