Roger Tuivasa-Sheck admits the weight has lifted off his shoulders since confirming his rugby union switch after grappling with the call for four years.
The Warriors captain is in a far better mindset than he was last season, with his young family having this time been able to join him in the team's camp.
The 27-year-old struggled with the distance between he and his children in 2020, as his plight having highlighted the Warriors' sacrifices to keep the NRL going.
But having his future sorted has also played a significant part in clearing his mind.
"It's definitely (a weight off the shoulders). I enjoy that it's out there now," Tuivasa-Sheck told AAP.
"It was a big call to make, you know I have a lot of special friends here at the club and rugby league in general.
"It's been back and forth (in my mind), especially because I really enjoy the game, I love the NRL and playing in it.
"It's something I was always questioning: should I have one more crack at (union). Or should I just continue my strike here in league.
"And then with COVID and everything going on around it, it just made me realise I need to just take the opportunity and not have any regrets."
A New Zealand schoolboys rugby union player, Tuivasa-Sheck initially made the call to sign with the Sydney Roosters as an 18-year-old and focus on league.
But he said the presence of the All Blacks in New Zealand while playing for the Warriors since 2016 had sparked his desire to test himself in union.
"Especially once I moved back to New Zealand with rugby being constantly everywhere over there," he said.
"When I was back in Sydney you only think about it here and there.
"I love the rugby league game and how it's going it. It's more of a person challenge for me with rugby union."
The COVID-19 pandemic still has Tuivasa-Sheck uncertain of his future.
He's resigned to the fact that any games the Warriors are able to play in New Zealand later this year are a bonus.
Likewise, he won't make a call on his availability for the end-of-year Rugby League World Cup until the schedule is confirmed, with the tournament still in doubt.
But he is certain he wants to go out on a high at the Warriors, adamant a second year on the road will be easier out of the bubble.
"We're not away for work, we actually live here," he said.
"My kids go to school here, I work here, I got to a barber here and a supermarket here.
"Last year stuck in that bubble, it was just footy footy footy.
"This year, I get to an apartment door and the kids run up to it and say 'dad, dad, dad'. It's awesome."
Australian Associated Press
