CASEY BROMILOW has already endured a culture shock on his arrival from Australia – but it has not stopped him wanting to get straight into action with York City Knights.

The 26-year-old last week left the sunshine of a Brisbane summer for the snow and ice of Britain’s current big freeze.

And now, only three days after signing a one-year deal at Huntington Stadium and after only two training sessions with his new team-mates, he is eager to get straight onto the field of play, when the Knights entertain Hull KR in tonight’s pre-season friendly (kick off 8pm).

Bromilow admitted to The Press he had been taken aback by the cold snap – which even put tonight’s game in doubt, although the club were “reasonably confident” the surface would pass a 1.30pm pitch inspection after the efforts this week to clear away the snow. But he wasn’t put off playing in the raw conditions.

“It was a massive shock – I wasn’t expecting it to be that bad,” he said of the snowfall on his arrival. “I’d heard it had started snowing, but I thought ‘it can’t be that bad’. Then when I landed in London I heard my flight to Leeds was cancelled because the airport there was shut.

“I got to see more of London than I had planned and getting the train was a bit of an adventure.

“When I got to Leeds I started walking outside and slipped over about ten times,” said Bromilow.

“The worse conditions I’ve played in was when it rained for a few days.”

The former Queensland Cup player, who has British ancestry and a five-year visa, has already begun his job as a teacher at a Dewsbury high school, and he is now keen to get into his rugby league.

“I just wanted to play in the UK, try something different,” he said of his decision to leave Australia.

“I approached a few clubs and got some interest. I had a look at York, how they did last year, how I think they will go this year, and I thought it was a good fit.”

Newly-promoted Keighley had wanted to take him to Cougar Park, but he chose York after talks with coach James Ratcliffe – who is also Dewsbury-based.

“I spoke to James a few times before I left Australia. I had a look around when I got here, got along well with a few players and decided to stay.”

Bromilow admits he knows little about the standard of Championship One, but he has been given a few tips. He is good friends with former Redcliffe Dolphins team-mate Rory Bromley, who now plays for Toulouse in the Championship.

“He says it’s a good standard in our league, not far off the Queensland Cup,” said Bromilow.

“I’m not really sure what to expect, but if you’ve got blokes like Chris Thorman in the competition it can’t be bad."

Knights player/assistant-coach Thorman has been named in a strong Knights line-up tonight, and fans should get a first glimpse of his potential half-back pairing with the Aussie.

The Knights also take on Castleford on Sunday, and some of the players on show tonight might be involved again then, albeit in a much-changed team.

Bromilow is hoping to hit form quickly.

He said of his 2010 aims: “I just want to play good footy and help the team do well. I’ve not really thought about personal goals. I just want to earn a regular spot and be consistent.”

Hull KR are bringing a team predominantly of fringe players and academy aces as the big-guns will be involved in Sunday’s friendly at Hull, a testimonial match for the Black and White’s Richard Horne.

Turnstiles open tonight at 6.30pm.

Supporters with match tickets can access Bar 13 via the stairs inside Courtney’s reception from 5.30pm.

Knights: from Ratcliffe, Reittie, Mitchell, Waterman, Lewis, Clarke, Stancliffe, Schofield, Thorman, Bromilow, Helliwell, McLocklan, Applegarth, Benson, Freer, Waller, Clough, Hardbottle, Hill, Blakeway, Peacock.