deadlyeagle
Reserve Grader
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/castleford-rule-out-menzies-but-flag-more-foreign-raids/2008/06/21/1214009170014.html
ENGLISH club Castleford have pulled out of the running to lure Manly's Steve Menzies to the Super League.
Menzies, 34, is in the twilight of his career, but was considered a desirable signing by Castleford, whose roster includes former Bulldogs halfback Brett Sherwin. But the club has changed its priorities.
"Steve Menzies is the consummate professional, a class player and tremendous person … he'd be great for any club over here," said Castleford's manager, Mick Robinson. "In the end, we had to look at a few things. We have to look at filling other positions."
Menzies is expected to be pursued by the Leigh Centurions (based in outer Manchester) if they are named as one of the two teams Super League intends to include under expansionary plans.
Leigh, the Wales-based Celtic Crusaders, Salford, Widnes Featherstone, Halifax and Toulouse from France are all in contention.
Robinson said regardless of which franchise was included in the competition, it would mean an even greater demand for quality NRL players. "They'll be wanting results quick, so they'll want to sign the best players available, and that will mean the NRL," he said.
St George-Illawarra's Jason Ryles (Catalans) and Parramatta's Chad Robinson (London) are the latest players to join the Aussie exodus to cashed-up northern hemisphere clubs.
So far this year, 11 players have signed with the Super League. They include representative players Danny Buderus, Ryles and Michael Crocker.
However, former Australian winger Matt King, who signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Warrington, is proof that while England might be paved with gold, it is still a challenge for NRL stars. While King starred for the Melbourne Storm, he admits he has struggled to come to terms with the English lifestyle.
Former England star Gary Schofield has slammed the form of King and fellow Aussie import Michael Monaghan, even going so far as to label King one of the worst overseas signings in the history of Super League.
ENGLISH club Castleford have pulled out of the running to lure Manly's Steve Menzies to the Super League.
Menzies, 34, is in the twilight of his career, but was considered a desirable signing by Castleford, whose roster includes former Bulldogs halfback Brett Sherwin. But the club has changed its priorities.
"Steve Menzies is the consummate professional, a class player and tremendous person … he'd be great for any club over here," said Castleford's manager, Mick Robinson. "In the end, we had to look at a few things. We have to look at filling other positions."
Menzies is expected to be pursued by the Leigh Centurions (based in outer Manchester) if they are named as one of the two teams Super League intends to include under expansionary plans.
Leigh, the Wales-based Celtic Crusaders, Salford, Widnes Featherstone, Halifax and Toulouse from France are all in contention.
Robinson said regardless of which franchise was included in the competition, it would mean an even greater demand for quality NRL players. "They'll be wanting results quick, so they'll want to sign the best players available, and that will mean the NRL," he said.
St George-Illawarra's Jason Ryles (Catalans) and Parramatta's Chad Robinson (London) are the latest players to join the Aussie exodus to cashed-up northern hemisphere clubs.
So far this year, 11 players have signed with the Super League. They include representative players Danny Buderus, Ryles and Michael Crocker.
However, former Australian winger Matt King, who signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Warrington, is proof that while England might be paved with gold, it is still a challenge for NRL stars. While King starred for the Melbourne Storm, he admits he has struggled to come to terms with the English lifestyle.
Former England star Gary Schofield has slammed the form of King and fellow Aussie import Michael Monaghan, even going so far as to label King one of the worst overseas signings in the history of Super League.
