Mike Pyke, one of the AFL's latest and perhaps least likely international converts, says his new sport is viewed as "a big punch up" back home in Canada.

Former Maple Leafs Test rugby player Pyke will get his first taste of competitive Australian Rules in Sunday's NAB Cup match against Port Adelaide at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

Even before stepping onto the field, Pyke showed he was not adverse to playing a mind game or two.

The 24-year-old Canadian faces the proverbial fiery baptism against the celebrated Port ruck duo of All-Australian representative Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan, Pyke suggesting the pressure was on them, not himself.

"I'm probably more excited than nervous, I'm probably going out against a guy that has been an All-Australian the past few years, and another one who is a proven AFL ruckman so the pressure I don't see is really on me, it's probably more on them because it's my first game," Pyke said.

He said it was a shame the AFL wasn't televised as much around the world as it was in Australia because it was a really entertaining game to watch.

"It's probably a bit misunderstood in Canada and across the world and people have an idea what it's about, but they think of it honestly just as a big punch up and a bit of kicking," Pyke said.

He conceded Australian Rules was a lot less structured than rugby.

"It's a bit of controlled chaos, it all looks like a hot potato out there," Pyke said.

While Sydney have traditionally placed a low priority on the pre-season tournament, Pyke will be approaching Sunday's game in deadly serious fashion.

"I'm relating the game this Sunday to a (rugby union) Test match, that's the focus I will be taking into it," Pyke said.

He had only been focusing specifically on ruck work since last November.

"When I first got here it was all about kicking," Pyke said.

"We spent the first three months not even handballing, just kicking, the guys had my arm tied into my hips and doing things to try and change maybe the rugby habits I had and try and turn it into a more of an AFL style kick.

The mobile 200cm Canadian said the kicking, running and marking aspects of Australian Rules all appeal to him, as they were similar skills to those he utilised as a rugby fullback.

He believed the skill set he brought across from rugby was best suited to the ruck position, though he was surprised by the emphasis on running and stressed Australian Rules required much more precise kicking than his previous code.

He has already made a significant impression on his new teammates.

"He's a big scary unit, isn't he," Rhyce Shaw said of Pyke.

"He's going to be a big asset for us, because he's big, he's strong and he's really fast and if he can get through the first couple of games, you never know, he could play a senior game this year."

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