HARRISON Hansen is champing at the bit after officially returning to pre-season training yesterday.

The tough-tackling forward was given an extra week off after representing Samoa at the end of last season.

Yet while he only started back yesterday, he underlined his enthusiasm for the cause by turning up last week to meet the new recruits, speak to the coaches and look at the training programme for the winter.

Hansen said: “I’ve just been chilling out at home, but I popped in last week to say hello... I’ve been keen to get back in to be honest.

“Last season was great and it’s amazing how quickly you turn to preparing for the next year.

“But everyone here is determined to step up this year and build on last season.

“We want to take it to the next level, and that starts from pre-season training.

“It’s not just me – everyone has been really keen to get started.

“I know all the boys have been doing their own training during the time off. I think you have to, because we know how tough the pre-season will be! We all know what’s coming.”

Hansen – son of ex-Salford forward Shane – has the rare distinction of having represented three countries during his rugby league career.

A former England academy representative, having spent most of his life on these shores, the Auckland-born forward earned a solitary cap for New Zealand in a mid-season Test in 2006 before switching allegiances to Samoa ahead of the 2008 World Cup.

And while his colours are now firmly pinned to Samoa’s mast, Hansen was delighted to see his birth-country claim the Four Nations Final crown earlier this month.

“I was made up,” he admitted. “I thought the Kiwis were done with two minutes to go and then Benji (Marshall) came up with a piece of brilliance. He’s such a freaky talent. Samoa had a game against the Kiwis before the Four Nations and Benji was running rings around us – he was on my side and he’s so hard to defend against!

“Our main game was against Tonga, which we won, so everyone was happy.”

Centre George Carmont also took part in that match.

He also reported back for pre-season training yesterday. The Four Nations representatives will have a further three weeks off.