After spending all of his playing days in Sydney, the imposing front rower was looking for a change.

With three kids under six, he believes Young is the perfect place for his young family.

"It's something different," Vunipola said.

"I've been stuck in the city since I landed here in '98 and wanted to experience something different and to take my kids out there as well.

"It's a new environment."

After moving to Australia when he was six, Vunipola came through junior ranks with the Roosters SG Ball and under 20s sides.

He's played NSW Cup with Wyong before heading to Mounties, Burwood and then Wentworthville, where he has spent the last three seasons.

While he's a stranger to footy outside of the city, the 28-year-old expects a tough challenge in Group Nine.

"I've heard country footy is pretty tough so I'm looking forward to it," Vunipola said.

"I've come up against a few country boys when I was playing rep footy and they were pretty tough so I'm keen to get out there and play."

At around 6'1 and 125kgs, Vunipola will provide plenty of headaches for opposition players.

He's hoping to help lift the Cherrypickers back up the ladder

"I'm keen to get there and return the favour to the Young Cherrypickers for giving me the opportunity," Vunipola said.

"The goal for me is the help lead the younger guys they've got there with the experience that I've got as much as I can on the field and off the field.

New Young coach Nick Hall is looking forward to having him on board.

Vunipola arrived in town after the Cherrypickers were beaten 16-0 by eventual semi-finalists Forbes in the first round of the West Wyalong Knockout on Friday.

Hall believes he is just what the club needs.

"He comes well credentialed, played a bit of Roosters 20s a few years ago and has been in the system," Hall said. "Like guys who often come out this way he is thinking about family, the future and the lifestyle.

"He seems a lovely guy and that he can play some footy."

With Aaron Slater working away and Saul Lealaitafea currently in New Zealand, Hall thought front row was an area the club needed more depth in.

"You only need one or two injuries or one or two people to move and you are a bit think on the ground so Inoke is coming up," he said.

Despite an early exit from West Wyalong, Hall wasn't too disappointed.

Especially in the second half after holding Forbes scoreless.

"That first game is always a bit erratic, you have to find your feet as the talk gets a bit messy, the efforts gets a bit messy," Hall said. "We were a little bit poor around the ruck, got left laying on the ground a little bit and our defensive structure wasn't great getting off the line so there is plenty to work on.

"That what it was about - measuring ourselves and working out where to be better."

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