Hall feared Roosters journey had ended before it began

English star Ryan Hall feared his NRL crack could have been over before he'd even boarded the plane until Trent Robinson's reassurance arrived from 17,000 kilometres away.

A move to Australian shores has been on Hall's radar for almost half of a stunning 12-year career at Leeds, which included six Super League titles and 233 tries in Rhinos colours.

Just three weeks after landing a two-year deal with the Roosters, Hall was floored with the first major injury of his career – a ruptured ACL that ended up sidelining him until mid-May.

The 31-year-old winger has since had two games for the premiers, but only after Robinson assured Hall his injury would not put his NRL shift in jeopardy.

"First of all when you sign to up sticks and move halfway around the world, that's a worry in itself," Hall said.

"Then three weeks later when you do the worst injury you can do to your knee, it's quite bad.

"A lot of thoughts go through your mind. But I spoke to Robbo at the back end of last year and he just calmed me down straight away.

"He said, 'Don't worry about it, we'll look after you and you'll be good for us in the long run'.

"I've trusted his word, and that's why I'm standing here."

Hall will play his first game at the SCG on Sunday against the Bulldogs, and concedes "a win would be nice" after featuring in two rare Roosters defeats so far in 2019.

Fellow flyer Brett Morris is expected back from his own lengthy lay-off with a knee injury after next week's rep round, pitting himself against Hall and Daniel Tupou for the Tricolours' two wing spots.

I spoke to Robbo at the back end of last year and he just calmed me down straight away

Ryan Hall

With 35 tries in 38 Tests for England since 2009, Hall has long been touted as a potential NRL success story out of the UK.

But a five-year Leeds deal signed in 2014 put any move south on the backburner until after his 30th birthday.

"A lot of people are saying I've left it too late because I'm getting on a bit but I don't see it that way," Hall said.

"I see it as the first opportunity and I'll try and make the most of it.

"As a player that's all you can do, get on the field and play, show off a bit and introduce yourself on the field. I was unable to do that.

"Training with them and not being able to help on the field, it's been quite hard to deal with seeing as I've never been in that situation before.

"I've never had a real long-term injury, it just so happened to be at a new club. But the club have been great."