Rugby union rookie Peter Ryan has looked over the fence in the last couple of weeks and stolen an envious glance at rugby league.

It's not that Ryan wants to return to the code after a successful career with the Brisbane Broncos, it's just he can't help but feel a tap on the shoulder during league's representative season. Ryan has played in the fierce State of Origin arena for Queensland and was keen to hear the news from Maroons camp as they prepared for next Wednesday's clash with New South Wales.

But while the Maroons gathered in Brisbane, Ryan was in Canberra for the ACT Brumbies' Super 12 semi-final against the Cats on Saturday night. The 29-year-old Brumbies recruit has soaked up plenty of advice since returning to the union ranks and openly admits to learning something everytime he plays with the Super 12 minor premiers.

He learned on Friday morning that he shouldn't wear shorts to training when the temperature is in single figures, but the backrower won't make any mistakes preparing for Saturday night's clash. While his team-mates begin to feel the tension, Ryan can rely on his experience in some of rugby league's biggest matches.

"The guys are a bit nervous about it and I think I'm probably one of the more relaxed blokes," he said. "Some of the guys haven't been in this situation before but then we have others who have played so many rugby Tests.

"I'm coming off the bench and that's always different because you can expend so much energy just waiting to get out there. But I got used to that I was at the Broncos and it makes it easier for me to switch off."

Ryan has rated his transition to rugby union a success despite battling injury problems and the perils of adapting to a different game. The fitness problems bit him early as he slowly worked into rugby's requirements - far different to the sprint-up, sprint-back regime of rugby league defence.

But his progress has been impressive, albeit with limited opportunities, but he was rewarded with 25 minutes' playing time during the Brumbies' vital win over the Crusaders in Christchurch last Friday. That win secured home ground advantage for the Brumbies throughout the finals series and Ryan is delighted to part of another successful team.

He's swapped the skills of Allan Langer for the likes of Stephen Larkham and George Gregan and Ryan is confident the Brumbies can become Australia's first Super 12 champions. Ryan wants to be part of another successful Brumbies' campaign and said he was already looking forward to next year when he will begin the season without having to worry about learning the ropes.

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