MATT Eden says that he is enjoying using an oval shaped ball instead of a round one despite the transition coming as a shock.

The Wellington FC goalkeeper has linked up with Greyhound after deciding to try rugby.

"I fancied getting into rugby so I decided to come down," said Eden.

"I only played two or three times at high school and it is a bit of a shock and is different.

"In football, there is no contact and there is in rugby,

"But the lads here are top class and there is great banter.

"All the time there are encouraging you and giving you advice.

"It is all motivational."

Eden is still signed on at Wellington and says he will offer his services whenever they need it.

However, his main focus is now rugby and is learning the ropes as a number eight.

"This season is mainly to see how I get on, then next season is when I want to push at being a regular starter.

"I am enjoying it as a number eight.

"I like to push the ball and run with it."

Greyhound assistant coach Shaun Thomas said that Eden has taken to rugby 'like a duck to water'.

"He is playing as a number eight, which is a technical position, but he is doing really well," said Thomas.