Whitehead’s testing training transition

Elliot Whitehead says the rigours of NRL pre-season have been hard to adjust to but the Canberra forward is slowly getting used to it.

Whitehead has swapped the south of France for the Australian capital, winter for a hot summer pre-season.

Deep into the Australian heat, the back-rower admits he has nearly passed out after every Raiders training session as they get ready for the 2016 NRL season.

“It’s been tough. I nearly pass out after every session, but I’m getting more used to it now,” Whitehead told Love Rugby League.

“I think the weather’s a big factor. When it’s 36, 37 degrees and the sun’s shining down on you it’s a lot different to doing pre-season in the winter.

“It’s been tough but I’m getting there now so.”

Whithead arrives in Canberra with big expectations on him, after starring for England against New Zealand and in Super League for Catalans.

The second-rower said the transition has been a relatviely straight forward one so far.

“Yeah I’ve really settled in now and I’m enjoying my time here,” Whitehead said.

“It’s really different from France, it’s a lot easier with language and I’m getting to know all the boys.

“The staff and the players at the club have really helped me with the move, so it’s been really easy.

“Hopefully that can continue and I can get a spot when the season starts.

Whitehead will be hoping to make a similar impact in the NRL as his England teammate Josh Hodgson has done arrived joining the Raiders from Hull KR.

The 26-year knows he has his work cut out for him gaining a spot in Canberra’s match-day 17.

“I can bring my game, I’m good at short sides and stuff,” Whitehead said.

“So hopefully I can bring that and my defence as well, they’ve seen me work hard, so hopefully I can help them out there as well.”