The last time an Australian forward arrived at Warriors HQ with a reputation and resumé this good he went on to become arguably the club's greatest recruit and captain.
It was inevitable then that from the moment Ryan Hoffman penned a three-year deal with the New Zealand club that comparisons to Steve Price would run rampant.
Both players arrived in Auckland with multiple NRL premierships under their belts, while like Price, Hoffman shifts across the Tasman as a current State of Origin and Kangaroos star.
But according to the former Storm and Wigan second-rower, that is where the similarities between them end.
"Steve Price did a great job when he was here, but my job is playing rugby league and getting what I do right on and off the paddock," Hoffman said.
"I don't know what Steve Price did here – I wasn't here – so all I know is what I can bring.
"I know what I have been brought here to do; I know the role that the club brought me here to do.
"It's about making sure I can do that week-in week-out on and off the paddock. Hopefully that will help the team achieve our goal.
"It's Cappy's (coach Andrew McFadden's) first pre-season and he has his ideas in place and systems in place.
"I have enjoyed being a part of that and if there are things that I feel will help the team then I will certainly bring them up.
"I am also looking at improving individually, because I know there are things the Warriors do well that I can improve on myself."
Since arriving in New Zealand in early January Hoffman has wasted no time in making his presence felt, and rookie half Tuimoala Lolohea said there had been a noticeable lift at pre-season training sessions.
"He has had a good impact at training on the left side of the field," 20-year-old Lolohea said.
"His talk and the little detail, the stuff he does on the field and his communication skills, he is right up there at the top level and it's pretty good having him around.
"He has a couple of pet plays that he likes and is working with Sammy T (Tomkins) and myself to show us what he likes to do."
Meanwhile Hoffman was quick to deny any knowledge of a deal in the making between the Warriors and his New South Wales Blues teammate Trent Merrin.
"Nah, I have just been trying to find my feet," Hoffman said with a wry smile.
"I haven't been roped into that yet. I haven't heard anything and it's just paper speculation as far as I am concerned."
Hoffman will have his first run in a Warriors jersey this weekend at the second-annual NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park, with coach Andrew McFadden expecting to finalise his 18-man squad by Wednesday.
Will you have Hoffman in your NRL Fantasy team? Play NRL Fantasy or download the app on Android or iPhone
