He may still be readjusting to life in his native Australia, but after a long 9 years away from the country – former Sydney Rooster and Redcliffe local Sam Obst, has signed with Intrust Super Cup side, the Northern Pride.
After playing 7 games with the Roosters over a period of two years in the early noughties, Obst then moved to the English Super League and other affiliate English leagues, playing for Whitehaven, the Wakefield Wildcats, Hull KR and the Keighley Cougars.
Despite his success during his English stint, Obst always had a desire to return to Australia to play rugby league and chose the Northern Pride, as current coach Jason Demetriou was a former team-mate of his at Wakefield.
“It’s going to be a bit weird because I got used to the English way of life while I was over there,†Obst said.
“It’s been difficult getting the little things done since I’ve been back. Just
getting a Medicare card has been a nightmare.â€
Playing in North Queensland is never easy, given the excess humidity and warm temperatures – and whilst Obst knows it will take some time to get used to all that, he thinks he can settle in quickly once more.
“It’s going to take some time to get used to that. It’s like moving from a freezer to an oven,†Obst said.
“We were doing our pre-seasons in minus temperatures and snow over there.
“Over here there’s dry ground and a bit of heat.
“It’s different, but I much prefer to wear shorts and singlets than tights and jumpers during training.â€
Obst, who is a halfback, may be the answer the Pride need to solve their recent problems in the halfback position – with the veteran keen to make the halfback position his own.
“Playing halfback would be great, but I’m not the coach,†Obst said.
“The coach picks the team. Nothing’s a given. I’ve just to go out and prove myself and give it a real crack.â€