Carney heads to Warrington!

toomevara

Brian Carney is to grace the SL again with a switch back to rugby league next season. Great news,form a massively under rated and under appreciated player in his own homeland. At 32 I reckon he's still got alot to offer to Wire. Look forward to catching the guy live next season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/warrington/8079421.stm

Paul Tergat

Manly forward hoping to join up with another former Sea Eagle at Bulls

Bradford have announced the signing of Glenn Hall from Manly Sea Eagles on a three-year deal.

The versatile forward, who can play at either prop or in the back row, will join the Bulls in time for the start of the 2010 campaign.

The 28-year-old helped Manly win the NRL Grand Final in 2008 and was also involved in their World Club Challenge success over Leeds earlier this year.

Bulls coach Steve McNamara is delighted to have finally captured Hall having attempted to bring him to Super League in time for this season.
Tough

"Glenn's a very tough, no-nonsense type of player who is real strong, gives great go-forward and gets you quick play-the-balls," said McNamara.

"His last two seasons have been fantastic for Manly and we feel the need to bring a bit more of that sort of toughness up front here.

"I was interested in bringing him here for this season but couldn't make it happen. I'm glad we have managed it now though."

Hall could at least have one familiar face alongside him at his new club next season in old Manly team-mate Steve Menzies.

Good things

The former Sydney Rooster received a glowing report about Bradford from Menzies, who is expected to extend his stay in England.

"I'm looking forward to getting there, playing some really consistent, tough football and stiffening up the middle of the ruck for the Bulls," Hall said.

"My football over the last three years has been blossoming but I'm still learning. I've a lot of good football and probably better football still to play.

"Beaver's got plenty of good things to say about the club but I met Steve Mac last year when he was over here with the England squad and he's a terrific man."

p.s. I hate the Wire

toomevara

p_larkin99 wrote: »

Bradford have announced the signing of Glenn Hall from Manly Sea Eagles on a three-year deal.

Good signing, though I'm not sure thats the area that needs attention from a Bulls perspective. I'd be taking a good look at the halves were I McNamara

WakeyTyke

Surprised Bulls are prioritising signing more forwards (although it is likely that Solomona wont get a new contract for next season) when there are clear deficiencies at half-back, full-back and centre. Baring a miracle turn round in form it is also likely that McNamare wont be there next season either.

Whilst it is great to see Brian Carney returning to his true code I do think his best years are now behind him, so it seems a strange decision by the Wires.

amacachi

Sure he still has plenty to offer, he wasted a fair amount of his best years alas. Still, be nice to see a proper Paddy in the SL. :P

couerdelion

Perhaps they should have looked at sean long?

toomevara

couerdelion wrote: »

Perhaps they should have looked at sean long?

Surely they must have...Carney was interviewed on this weeks boots'n'all by the way.

couerdelion

toomevara wrote: »

Surely they must have...Carney was interviewed on this weeks boots'n'all by the way.

I heard that, he came across very well again. A good ambassador for the sport and as others have said it's good to see a real irish man playing in the super league.

WakeyTyke

couerdelion wrote: »

I heard that, he came across very well again. A good ambassador for the sport and as others have said it's good to see a real irish man playing in the super league.

Think he is regarded highly at Sky Sports and could well see him becoming a RL pundit on TV when his career is over (he would a lot better job than Paul Cullen!). Now that would be great for Irish RL development.

toomevara

Carney interview on sportinglife.com. Interesting;

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/06/17/RUGBYL_Ireland_Carney.html

Dozen Wicked Words

I thought he was a great pundit on Sky if a bit Wigancentric.

Re: the Sporting Life article: I think the line that as a proud Irishman he would never switch to England is probably more pragmatism than patriotism. He is 32 and there are now several English players better than him in his position. (that's not to say he isn't going to be brilliant for Warrington)

He had no problem playing for Great Britain before he left for Union.

Anyway regardless, he is Unions loss and Leagues gain.

toomevara

dooferoaks wrote: »

Re: the Sporting Life article: I think the line that as a proud Irishman he would never switch to England is probably more pragmatism than patriotism.

I'd disagree, on last weeks boots'n'all Barrie McDermott was asked if Carney would ever declare for England..McDermott said, knowing Brian personally, it would never, ever happen...Carney himself was then asked on a live phone-in and said he'd never,ever consider it (citing among other reasons, the fact that he'd never be able to show his face at home again).I take him at his word.

Playing for GB, which includes Scottish, Welsh and Irish RL (however much of a fig leaf it may be) is a whole different story.

Dozen Wicked Words

toomevara wrote: »

I'd disagree, on last weeks boots'n'all Barrie McDermott was asked if Carney would ever declare for England..McDermott said, knowing Brian personally, it would never, ever happen...Carney himself was then asked on a live phone-in and said he'd never,ever consider it (citing among other reasons, the fact that he'd never be able to show his face at home again).I take him at his word.

Playing for GB, which includes Scottish, Welsh and Irish RL (however much of a fig leaf it may be) is a whole different story.

hhhhmmmmm. Maybe I am being too cynical. You could well be right. I was looking back to articles about his time with the British in Australia and there are a couple of quotes which nicely highlight your point.

When asked by press to pose with a Union flag:

In the gentlest possible way, he demurred. "I just didn't think it was appropriate," he says. "I'm an Irishman. I'll never be anything else but an Irishman. That doesn't mean I'm anti-English. I'm very, very far from being anything like that and I'll be as proud as can be to line up with these fellows.

"But Keith Wood plays for the Lions and they wouldn't ask him to hold the Union Jack, would they? It's just not appropriate, any more than it would be to ask Andy Farrell to pose with the Australian flag."

I stand corrected. :pac: