New Western Force recruit Salesi Ma'afu might be considered a teddy bear, but it's aggression that Coach Richard Graham is looking forward to calling upon when he takes the field in ocean blue this season.

The 14-Test Wallaby prop joined his new teammates in Perth this week after making the move across from Canberra where he racked up 52 matches for the Brumbies in five seasons.

Despite a broken arm curtailing the end of Ma'afu's 2011 Super Rugby season, his call-up and contribution to Australia's international campaign, including the World Cup, was a great way to finish the year and he is excited about the new challenges in 2012.

"I wanted to move across to get a change in lifestyle and a change up in rugby," Ma'afu said following a searching session on the training track.

"There are different challenges ahead and Perth was the right place for me and my family.

"I'm 100 percent and ready to go. I really enjoyed my time with the Wallabies and their campaign last year. Hopefully I can do the same this year.

"I worked hard to come back from the arm injury and I was proud to have been able to start in the last three tests. I want it to continue into the new Super Rugby season and have the number three on the back of my jersey."

Ma'afu joins a front row at the Western Force that showed plenty of improvement during 2011 and he knows it won't be a walk up start in a group hungry to secure their place in the run-on side.

The 125kg powerhouse joins fellow Wallabies capped front rower Pek Cowan along with rising stars Kieran Longbottom, Ben Whittaker and Nathan Charles at the club. The addition of NSW First Grade standout Tetera Faulkner has further strengthened the front line as has youngster Salesi Manu in the extended playing squad.

Tim Fairbrother's departure to the UK following the 2011 season made the acquisition of Ma'afu a key priority for coaching staff at the Western Force and his performances for the Wallabies further reinforced the quality of player they've been able to bring to WA.

"He's a genuine tighthead. They're rare, even in world rugby, so to get a good one is obviously a bonus for us," said Graham.

"The other thing I like is his aggression, in a game that is really physical and combative he brings a level of aggression that I think we'll enjoy.

"Salesi is coming back from the Wallabies tour and only played four weeks ago so he's not long out of rugby. We've brought him in a few weeks early to get him involved in the programme with trials beginning in about a month's time.

"I thought our front row did a very good job last year and I think we've strengthened it this year with the arrival of Salesi and Tetera also. The best thing about competition is that it brings out the best in all of them. No one is guaranteed a spot and they'll have to compete against each other."

Ma'afu will be one of the leaders of the Western Force front row and is more than happy to share his domestic and international experiences to assist in the growth and development of his fellow forwards.

"I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the boys over the next month. I also hope to add a bit more muscle up front and anything I can contribute outside of the set piece I think will be a plus for the side," Ma'afu said when asked what he could contribute to the team.

"Everything has been good so far. I've only just stared (training) so at the moment it is about making small improvements each day and getting ready to go for the season."