After 19 years of experiencing the highs and lows as a player, Benji Marshall is in for another great challenge - revive the back-to-back wooden spooners, the Wests Tigers.
"It's challenging at times," said Marshall. "It's very different being in charge of 36 players and another eight development guys so it's been tough but at the same time I'm really enjoying it."
Marshall has brought the Tigers to New Zealand where they have set up camp in Queenstown this week, before they play the Warriors in a preseason match this Sunday.
The team went to Shotover Jet where players were pushed outside their comfort zones. But this weekend's hit out in Christchurch will be Marshall's first tests as a new head coach.
"We've done a lot of hard work, a lot of hard training and most of it is about trust and connecting," he said.
"Of all the places I've been in the world, this is the place I know how to do that."
Marshall is expecting a huge challenge from the Warriors, he believes they're "untapped at the moment".
"Seeing the way that Shaun Johnson played last year, as a former teammate and a friend there's no better sight than seeing 'SJ' in full flight. I love it. I loved seeing them go good.
"There's a lot of things they can do, there's a lot of good players and they'll want to make their mark this year."
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