It was his phone call to James Roberts which convinced Sam Burgess that South Sydney were getting a man on a mission.
Roberts on Monday completed his first training run with the Rabbitohs since rejoining the club last week in preparation for an anticipated NRL return.
And while there are little doubts about the on-field ability of the former NSW State of Origin star, there remains question marks about his off-field behaviour.
Roberts returns to Redfern eight years after being sacked, having also endured issues in stays at Penrith, Gold Coast, and the Broncos.
Burgess, who was teammates with Roberts in 2011 and is the Rabbitohs captain, insisted senior players were unanimously in favour of the signing.
"He's eight or nine years older, he's a father now, I spoke to him on the phone and he was extremely clear minded," Burgess said on Monday.
"He just wanted to come, play some football and be part of a good team. That's what he'll get here, we'll look after him, give him some care and a bit of love."
Roberts again attracted negative headlines in April when he was photographed drunk and being carried out of a party, a day after aggravating an Achilles injury.
He played just three more games for Brisbane before being axed to reserve grade, all but ruling him out of contention to keep his Blues jersey for game one.
Burgess denied senior Rabbitohs players would need to keep an eye on him.
"It's about putting a bit of trust in James," Burgess said.
"I'm not worried about him whatsoever. We'll create an environment where he knows he's got a lot of care and support around him.
"There's a saying that there's no weakness in forgiveness, and for where James has been and gone in the past, he'll be starting afresh here now.
"I'd like to think that he's matured a lot since he was last at the club and it certainly seems that way on first impressions this morning."
Roberts trained on the right edge, where he'll line up alongside Burgess, and halfback Adam Reynolds against Newcastle on Friday night.
"We're not putting any pressure on him though," Burgess said.
"It might take him a couple of weeks, a couple of months to find his feet and settle in, but he's got plenty of support around him."
