Willie Heta laughs at that tag, so let’s try another.

Best player in Country Rugby League?

It’s hard to argue that one when you consider the credentials behind Orange Hawks’ 2017 captain-coach.

Since moving to Australia in 2012, he’s won four premierships – three in a row with the Albury Thunder in Group 9, winning man of the match honours in the 2012 and 2014 title wins.

In his first year in the Newcastle competition – a premiership widely renowned as the toughest in CRL – Heta dominated, leading Souths to a 21-12 grand final win, earning Newcastle Rebels and Country Firsts representative caps along the way while also being crowned the competition’s players’ players and leading pointscorer.

At 30 years of age, Hawks have secured a rare player, and Heta arrives at the two blues hoping to live up to whatever tag people want to throw his way.

“I’m just taking it all in my stride," he said.

“Where ever I go, I’m always trying to put my best foot forward and I hope to do the same while I’m here in Orange.

“Captain-coaching is always something I’ve considered later in my 20s, and I’ve been given the opportunity now so I’ve taken it.”

Heta is coming off the best year of his footballing career to date having lifted Souths to the Newcastle premiership.

He originally signed on to do it all again, too, but the chance to prove his lightning quick speed and silky playmaking skills aren’t the only strings to his rugby league bow was too good a shot to pass up.

Given what he’s achieved so far in bush footy, naturally, Heta says his biggest asset coaching wise will be his experience.

“To my knowledge, we had a young side (at Hawks) last season,” Heta said.

“So Id love to be able to just share the experience I have with them and hopefully, with that year they’ve had in first grade last year, hopefully the experience will help turn the club around.”

Heta’s knowledge of Group 10 footy is limited to some footage on Youtube he’s seen since signing on to coach Hawks, a club that last tasted success in the 2013 season.

That year, the two blues club made the grand final after claiming the minor premiership.

Remarkably, not one of the 13 who started the Group 10 grand final that year in Hawks colours featured at the club in 2016.

Normally that would mean Heta has a mammoth task ahead of him, but with a sound junior base and a sprinkling of talent already making a mark on the premier league scene last season – think Jedd Kennedy, Brodie Christopherson, Max Wolfson and Nathan Potts – the first-time captain-coach is looking forward to the challenge.

“The stories I’ve heard it sounds like a tough competition … I don’t see it as a step back (from Newcastle),” Heta said, adding his initial goals will be basic for the boys in blue.

“To get the lads fit” is Heta’s first mission.

“From what I understand, conditioning might have been a major issue last year. We’ll take it a step at a time and then see what we’ve got skill wise. We’ll shape up from there.”

While Heta’s inclusion seriously bolsters Hawks halves stocks, his top grade squad won’t change a lot initially.

But that may change if Heta can identify an area Hawks need strengthening.

“If I can tag someone along that will definitely help the side, I’ll bring them along,” he added.