"Bryn told me I will enjoy the culture and it is always good fun playing for the Magpies. He also told me the style of play is a lot more expansive from what I'm used to," Lahiff said.
Their London Irish team finished ninth in the 12-team premiership. An ankle injury saw Lahiff miss the final two games.
"It's coming right at the right time ... I'll be ready for our first game and I'm looking forward to it because it's been seven weeks since I've had a game," Lahiff said referring to the squad's first pre-season outing in Saracens colours against Manawatu in Palmerston North on July 17.
Although he prefers the loosehead propping role, Lahiff can play both sides of the scrum and said he won't mind the tighthead role Magpies coach Craig Philpott wants him to focus on. He is confident his one season contract with the Magpies will provide ideal preparation for his two-year contract with the Rebels Super Rugby side in Australia.
Through his father Lahiff is Australian qualified and the damaging ball carrier and defender who can bench press 205kg and squat 240kg has already been labelled a 2014 Wallaby by British rugby critics.
"It's a case of one game at a time but if I play well for the Rebels I'll have a good chance of making the Wallabies," he said.
When it was suggested he might enjoy the Magpies season so much he might end up giving his Aussie stint a miss Lahiff replied:
"I've got to go because I've got a contract but if I like the Magpies there could be more Magpies seasons during Super Rugby off seasons."
Naturally he has taken a keen interest in the Wallabies test series against the British and Irish Lions. He was thrilled the Wallabies squared the series with their second test win in Melbourne at the weekend.
"I wanted that third test to count for something," Lahiff said.
He was diplomatic when quizzed on his career highlight, keeping former All Black and London Irish captain Clarke Dermody out of the match 22 during the 2011-12 season.
"We shared the load. But there were times when I got the nod ahead of him and it's good to be acknowledged as a player better than someone of his calibre. At the same time Clarke taught me a lot, too."
A former openside flanker, Lahiff ranked Wallabies openside great George Smith as his "rugby hero".
"I switched to the frontrow when I was 17 because I got too big for the backrow then. Hopefully the mobility I had back then will help me cope with the expansive New Zealand style of play," Lahiff said.
Former London Irish forwards coach Neal Hatley, who is now coaching at Bath, had a big influence on Lahiff's career.
In less than a month Magpies fans will be able to gauge if it was the right influence - and if he can play with the same skill he shows in the kitchen.
