AUSTRALIAN forward Luke O’Donnell cannot wait for summer to arrive so that he can prove his worth to Super League.

The 30-year-old arrived in England with a ‘tough-guy’ reputation as the most suspended player in NRL history but, after three rounds of Super League, has barely created a whimper.

Instead what has emerged is his effectiveness as a powerful battering ram and his efforts were rewarded with a try in the 18-10 win at Harlequins which took Giants to the top of Super League – even if it was only for a matter of hours.

But O’Donnell, who left behind him temperatures of 33 degrees in north Queensland in November and encountered minus 13 on arrival in Yorkshire, admits he is still getting to grips with the difficult playing conditions.

"At Castleford it was probably the heaviest pitch I’ve ever played on in my life," he said of Huddersfield’s second round match against the Tigers which they lost 18-12.

"I’ve played on some muddy pitches in Australia, but that was really tough going. It’s something I’m going to have to get used to in the first couple of months over here.

"The boys said that’s usually the way. At first you play a fair bit of wet-weather footy and then it dries up and speeds up a lot more. I’ve all that to look forward to."

O’Donnell, who won 10 caps with the Kangaroos and made six State of Origin appearances for New South Wales, was reported in Australia to have signed a four-year contract with the Giants worth in excess of £1million, but financial considerations were not his only motive for the move.

Since 2000, he has been suspended 10 times for a total of 29 weeks, including a three-match ban for a dangerous throw on Queensland winger Darius Boyd in Origin II last June that sparked an all-in brawl.

He admits disillusionment with the Australian judiciary system was part of the reason for his decision to start afresh in another competition.

"The way the system works in Australia is very harsh if you’ve had a couple of penalties," he said.

"It’s a loading system and it’s crazy how it works. You can be charged with a careless high tackle three years before and then charged with a dangerous throw which is something completely different and you cop a loading. It’s pretty silly.

"I didn’t enjoy my footy at times because of all the suspensions and it was really disappointing considering I work so hard and then come game time you feel like you have a target on your head.

"It’s good just to get away from pressures like that. Everything is scrutinised so heavily over there.

"It’s something (Huddersfield coach) Nathan (Brown) and myself discussed at length when I was talking about the possibility of coming here.

"He knows the situation and what’s gone on and everything has been very positive."

Huddersfield bounced back from their surprise defeat at Castleford with victory over Hull in O’Donnell’s home debut and then drew level with early pacesetters Harlequins with victory at the Twickenham Stoop last Friday night.

O’Donnell is confident he can make an effective contribution to the Giants as they seek to go one better than last year, when they fell at the last hurdle in their bid to reach a maiden Grand Final.

"It’s been all positive for me," he said. "I’m enjoying it. Hopefully we can get a bit of consistency.

"The main reason for me coming over was to have a change, it was something I really needed. Playing in England was something I always envisaged.

"I played at the same club for seven years and so learning new systems is something that takes a little while. I think I’ve fitted in pretty well but I think it can only get better for me.

"I’m willing to help out whatever way Browny sees it. I’ll hopefully bring a bit of consistency for myself personally and that will help the team out.

"I’m experienced enough to play any role that Browny needs me to play."