A veteran of 25 Tests and a mainstay at Leeds since his debut as a 17-year-old, the imposing centre is keen to taste NRL action after passing up offers to move to Australia earlier in his career.

Still just 28, Watkins has impressed teammates since his arrival one month ago and on Tuesday - after a tedious wait for a visa - got the green light.

"I reckon he'll bring some real seniority and confidence to the team," teammate Jarrod Wallace said.

"Straight from the get go he came in and showed his experience.

"From the first meeting he put his hand up even though he wasn't playing, didn't really know anyone, he had his opinion on how he thought the team could be better.

"It's exciting when you've got someone like that ... to stamp his authority and help us try and change."

Change is the buzzword at Parkwood since coach Garth Brennan's demise last Sunday on the back of a sorry season that has netted just four wins.

Watkins isn't fazed despite the club being rooted to the bottom of the table and insists he and his family - the Manchester man is a father of three - are embracing the move.

"I'm quite a laidback kind of character anyway so probably when I try to speak it's with a purpose, it's not any kind of small talk," he said of his approach to leadership.

"If I have an opinion that feels like it is beneficial to the team then I will say it, if not then I'll keep to myself and I'll work with the players that I am next to out on the field."

Like interim coach Craig Hodges, Watkins thinks basic improvements can solve the club's predicament.

"It's about doing the simple things right and it needs to be consistent," he said.

"The issue I've seen is that we're shooting ourselves in the foot a bit; we're making it harder for ourselves to play well."

Australian Associated Press