After nine years in and around the Brumbies system, the sight of Darcy Swain in Western Force colours still takes some getting used to.
But there won't be any hesitation when the 17-Test lock pulls on that new strip for Friday's trial clash with Swain relishing his new lease on life - both in Perth and as a new father.
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"You can actually be outside for more than 40 minutes," Swain joked with rugby.com.au.
"Nah Canberra was great but we're really loving the lifestyle so far in Perth, it's been unreal coming down to the beach, having some hot weather.
"It's a good change. It feels a bit more like up north - not as humid as Cairns but it's bloody dry - and it's great to have my fiancée and seven-month old Roman over here as well.
"Being a dad, it’s just a big shift. When you go home, you're locking into a little fella who just wants to play but it's rewarding. I’m loving it so far and I love being home, being there smiling at them after a long day."
At 200cm and 113kg, the imposing Swain surprised many with a two-year Force deal announced midway through one of his best seasons for the ACT.
Swain started 12 of his 14 Super Rugby Pacific outings last year - taking his overall Brumbies tally to 78 caps - but remains at peace with his decision to part ways, telling rugby.com.au he needed to "challenge himself somewhere differently".
"It was just time to move on, just one of those things where if you do the same things, you'll get the same results. There were two or three years there I felt in a bit of a rut and that I hadn’t developed as a player," Swain said.
"They (Brumbies) were happy and wanted me to stay. My partner's from Canberra, my best mate Len (Ikitau) is in Canberra too. Leaving him and the community and the friends and the boys there, that was really hard, but it's about what I wanted to get out of myself.
"There's a lot more I can give … and I feel like coming over here is going to help me grow, especially stuff around my contact and my carry.
"I haven't been as dominant as a carrier but that's easy when Bobby (Rob Valetini) is next to you, you know, and that's not to say players here (at the Force) don't carry but it's about getting out of that bubble where I was pretty comfortable and challenging myself in a new environment."
That focus on physicality has been echoed by national selectors with Swain - a Australia XV captain last year - revealing he's been in contact with the Wallabies set-up ahead of a massive 2025 Test season including a Lions Tour, Rugby Championship campaign and Spring Tour.
"They've been helpful in terms of what they want to see from me with that contact – it's a big part in why I’ve come across as well," he explained.
"Not getting too carried away as well, discipline is just something I’ve got to clean up, plus that detail around leg drive as well."
First, there's the small matter of performing in a Western Force jersey come Super Rugby Pacific - and Swain is bullish about his new side's prospects after a successful Spring Series tour of South Africa.
"I think everyone in the squad boys and staff included understand there’s an expectation there and everyone wants to do something for the jersey," Swain said.
"It means different things for different people. There’s local guys that want to put WA rugby on the map – guys like Kane Koteka have so much pride and want to take it further - and that makes me want to rip in for him.
"Those who've come across to the Force are all here to get better as players too and everything’s there for us to perform.
"It’s now just up to us as a team to go out there and put the jersey in a better place."
The ACT Brumbies and Western Force lock horns this Friday (February 7) at Marist College Canberra (kick off 2pm AEDT).
