AS far as an introduction to rugby league in this country goes, Dean Parata could hardly have been given a harsher one in his first hit-out for Barrow Raiders last Sunday.

Having arrived from the somewhat warmer climes of Sydney a week earlier, the hooker was pitched into action for a pre-season clash with Oldham.

Members of both teams later took to social media to describe it as the worst conditions they had ever played in.

Indeed, the final whistle from referee Marcus Griffiths must have come as sweet relief to all involved – none more so than Barrow pair Alec Susino and James Duerden, who were sat wrapped in blankets in the medical room for up to 15 minutes after the game had finished.

Parata did not suffer quite as much, although that final whistle was a cue to head straight to the dressing room and stand in a warm shower, still with his full kit on, trying to warm up.

“It was different,” said Parata. “I've never experienced anything like that before. It was very unique, very cold and wet. They were very physical and a tough side, so it was just a bash-fest and not too much skill involved.

“We talked all week about how Oldham were a tough side, but I think we put it a bit more to them than they did to us. Our boys stepped up and I was happy to be out there with them.”

A 16-6 win and the way Raiders coped with the physical side of Oldham's game meant there were some positives to take from the match, although it was all far removed from Parata's previous rugby league experiences.

Nevertheless, the 26-year-old has plenty he can bring to the fore at Barrow from his career to date, which began when the native of Queensland's Gold Coast joined the youth set-up at Sydney-based NRL outfit Wests Tigers from Nerang Roosters.

That helped him get used to the seriousness of a professional sporting environment, with spells at Paramatta Eels' feeder team Wentworth Magpies and, most recently, Blacktown Workers – Manly Sea Eagles' feeder club – following on from leaving Wests.

It was while playing for Wentworth that Parata was able to utilise his Italian ancestry and represent the Azzurri at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, which included scoring a try in their surprise 15-14 win over hosts England in a warm-up match.

That time with the squad proved hugely beneficial to Parata, giving him the opportunity to learn from one of the squad's more experienced NRL players in particular.

“That was good, as was playing with some of the guys I looked up to when I was younger, like Anthony Minichiello and some really good players,” said Parata.

"When you're on the field, you don't think about it too much. It's more the training side of things, but you do learn the little things they do that make them such good players.

“It's the little things they do off the field as well, so you can grab little bits and pieces off them, and I learnt a lot.

“I shadowed Mini a lot to learn the little things he does in terms of rehab and recovery, so that type of knowledge is invaluable.”

Parata has plenty to bring to Barrow off the field too, with his background in sales helping him in his new role at the club's commercial manager.

It is a position he is still getting used to, but Parata is determined to learn as much as he can about how clubs operate on a day-to-day basis to help him when the time eventually comes for him to hang up his boots.

“I'm still learning the ropes of my job, but there are a few ideas I have and a few ideas the guys around me at Barrow have that we should be able to put into action,” said Parata.

“It will be good throughout my experience I've had in sales, so hopefully I can use that and it translates over fairly easily. It's a good job for me as well to learn the background stuff that happens in footy.

“I like to learn how clubs work in terms of sponsorship and commercial stuff, so it will be good to have that on the resume and hopefully I can contribute while I'm here.”

Tomorrow's pre-season encounter with Whitehaven being called off means Parata's next outing for Raiders could well be in their first league match of the year, when they travel to London Broncos for the Betfred Championship opener next Sunday.

Much like last weekend's clash with Oldham, it will be something of a step into the unknown for him, but Parata has seen glimpses which give him confidence in Barrow being competitive in their first year back in the Championship.

“I've seen a couple of them teams play and I saw a game last year, so I know there are some really good sides and ones who have a bit of money to throw around as well,” said Parata.

“I think every week will be a tough match; there won't be any easy points that come, but we've got a very strong squad so I don't see why we can't compete and challenge a few of these teams, and really go well in this competition.”