"I landed on Friday morning and it was 42 degrees or something like that, so a bit different to back home," the Canberra Raiders import said.

But that coupled with the hazardous air quality in his adopted home isn't the greatest challenge the crafty English halfback has faced in his first week down under.

That would be trying to remember everybody's names, because Williams admits he is still forgetting a few.

It makes Canberra's looming 10-day camp on the Sunshine Coast to escape the capital's toxic air the perfect chance for Williams to find his feet as a Raider.

Canberra's entire squad of 30 will fly north on Thursday to escape the haze from the NSW bushfires that has caused the city's air quality to find a home in hazardous levels.

Then they will set their sights on their NRL season opener against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on March 13.

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Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has adopted a simple message to open the pre-season campaign and it is one he will ram home during the club's trip to Queensland.

This year is all about standards. Set them, meet them, lift them again.

It is enough to leave a Super League grand final winner like Williams salivating as he joins a squad desperate to bounce back from a heartbreaking defeat in last season's decider.

"If you don't believe in yourself, then nobody else does. I've always thought that. I'm looking to do great things," Williams said.

"[Stuart's standards mantra] is a massive thing - don't just be happy with what they achieved last year.

"Obviously there is a lot of hype around Canberra but within the four walls, we'll keep it as humble as we can, work hard and see what's what.

"I'm under no illusions they are a great team. I've got to find my feet first, I'm not presuming I'll be picked in round one.

"I've got to work hard, I've got eight weeks now to prove I am good enough to play in round one and that's what I'll be doing.

"I've always wanted to come and test myself. I've said that from a pretty young age, if I ever had the chance to do it, I would.

"It's the right time, I'm 25 now, the NRL is considered the best competition in the world. I'm just looking to test myself really."

Williams' arrival lifts Canberra's number of Englishmen to five with John Bateman, Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton all on the books.

Bateman was arguably the buy of the year across the competition last season during Canberra's run to the grand final.

"[Bateman] last year was unbelievable, wasn't he? If I could do something like that, it would be unbelievable, but I'll keep my head low, work hard, and see what's what," Williams said.

"It helps when people are inside the club and tell you what it's about. Speaking to [chief executive Don Furner] and Ricky, they're always going to make the club sound good.

"I said 'is it real, what they're saying to me?' They back it up 100 per cent.

"I'm a long way from home but a bit of normality always helps. There will be times throughout the year when I miss my family, but those boys will get around me and I'm sure I'll be fine.

"It's scary when it's the unknown. Every session I'm asking 'what's this? What's this?'

"I'm finding my feet slowly and I'm just very excited for my season ahead."