"I left Melbourne and was one of the marquee signings at the Tigers and the pressure that I got put under there it was tough but it comes with the job," said Blair.
"And I've got used to it. It's made me a stronger person for it.
"It does affect you but I know what I can do for the team and if I wasn't capable of doing my job I'm sure someone would find someone to do my job for me.
"I will work as hard as I can to make sure that I'm doing everything possible for this club, to make sure that we're performing and pushing each other to make sure we're accountable."
Making the decision to leave a successful Broncos side chock full of big names, Blair admits he had to weigh up whether he was ready for the challenges and attention — both positive and otherwise — that come with playing for the Warriors.
A reported $1.95 million deal no doubt helped eased his concerns, but the Whangarei—born forward insists his return home was driven by a desire to lift both the Warriors and the wider national game.
"It crossed my mind. The decision was made because I wanted to give back to where it all started for me," he said.
"I know there's a lot of great talent around New Zealand and I'm passionate about the country in general, so the decision [was about] coming back and trying, with the help of other people, to put the Warriors where I and everyone thinks they should be, which is playing finals football. And with the talent around here, if we work hard enough and dedicate ourselves enough and push each other and hold people accountable, you never know what we could do."
After playing as a front-rower at Brisbane, Blair was used at lock during the World Cup with the Kiwis. He's unsure where he'll slot in under coach Stephen Kearney but expects to face strong competition in either role.
"In the middle somewhere," he laughed. "There are quality kids here in both those positions.
"The great thing is everyone is pushing for those spots so nothing will be finalised until we run out, including me.
"Another reason why I came here was the challenge. I know there's young kids here that want to play and start games.
"And anywhere you go in life, I like having a challenge drive me to be better — to train harder, work harder, be a better person — so coming here is going to do everything for me again."
The Warriors will cap their preparations with trial games against the Storm in Rotorua on February 17 and the Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast on February 24, before their NRL season begins with a round one clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the new Perth Stadium on March 10.
Adam Blair
Date of birth: March 20, 1986
Place of birth: Whangarei
Junior club: Northland Carvers
Position: Prop/lock
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 105kg
Rep Honours: 45 tests for Kiwis (2006—2017);
Rugby League World Cup (2008, 2017); Four
Nations (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016)
NRL Debut: Melbourne v Wests Tigers, Leichhardt Oval, April 2, 2006 (Round 4)
NRL Career: 266 appearances (2006—2017):
Melbourne: 121 appearances (2006—2011)
Wests Tigers: 71 appearances (2012—2014)
Brisbane: 74 appearances (2015—2017)
NRL Points: 44 points (11 tries)
