It was far from a flawless return to the NRL, but Penrith recruit Timana Tahu was just pleased to be back on the field despite the Panthers' heavy defeat to Cronulla on Saturday night.

Tahu, who walked out on Parramatta at the end of 2010 after a difficult season where he was at the centre of two racial scandals, signed with Penrith last week but had no pre-season training.

The 30-year-old was targeted by the Sharks and made several uncharacteristic errors as he worked his way back into rugby league and said he would need to improve against Brisbane next week.

"I was happy to be back out on the field. It was probably not a good start for me for the year but hopefully I can impress (coach Matt Elliott) and the boys next week," he said.

The former dual international admitted he found the pace of the game tough to begin with, but would get stronger.

"You could see that Cronulla did target my edge a little bit but I got my second wind and I got in there and did a few hit-ups, probably a lot more than I'm used to," he said.

"I didn't do any pre-season training with Penrith so for me it's just going to be just doing extra work during the week to get up to Penrith standards."

Tahu, who left the game with cramps in his legs in the 75th minute, admitted it might take up to a month before he starts to play his best football as he adjusts to playing right centre.

"Physically I feel alright and mentally as well," he said.

"I see it as some blokes are out with injuries in the first round and they've got to get back and while everyone else is going to be playing these next few rounds they've got to catch up to everyone else.

"So I see myself like that. It probably takes about two or three weeks and then you're back into it again.

"Plus I've just got to adjust to the right side ... last year I was playing a lot of left side but I played right side when I was at the Knights and playing rugby you learn to play both sides so for meit's just adjusting to the team structure."

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