New boy is looking to make Devil of a debut
VISA ISSUES PREVENTED PLAYER MAKING HIS FIRST APPEARANCE
TODD Carney is in line to make his long-awaited Salford debut when the Red Devils welcome the Betfred Super League’s early pacesetters, Castleford Tigers, to the AJ Bell Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Carney signed for the club in January, but his arrival was delayed until mid February because of visa issues.
The former Dally M medal winner linked up with his new team-mates in time to face Leeds Rhinos in the Red Devils’ third match of the season, but was deemed not to be fit enough to take part, having missed the entire pre-season.
Head coach Ian Watson then chose to keep his halfback pairing of Robert Lui and Michael Dobson in place for the win over Warrington Wolves at home and last week’s agonising defeat away to Wakefield.
However, Carney has been included in the 19-man squad for the visit of Castleford and Salford have released a promotional video featuring the player to highlight this.
In the clip, the former Australia and New South Wales star refers to his previous clubs, the majority of which have been in the NRL.
“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a rugby league player,” says Carney. “I’ve been a Raider, a Rooster, a Shark and even a Dragon, but I was born to be a Devil.” The 30-year-old has been included in the squad at the expense of Lama Tasi, who will serve a one-match suspension after his dangerous throw against Wakefield. The ex-St Helens forward was sent to the sin bin inside the first five minutes for the tackle on Anthony England. It was also picked up by the match review panel and Tasi submitted an early guilty plea, resulting in the ban. Hooker Logan Tomkins also spent 10 minutes in the bin and Watson is hoping for a more disciplined performance when the table-topping Tigers arrive. “You can’t question the players’ desire,” said the Red Devils boss. “It was a bit of smartness that let us down, especially in the first half. “They had a lot more sets than us and the two sin-binnings didn’t help us. I thought in the second half when we started to play we’d get them but it cost us at the end.”
I’ve been a Raider, a Rooster, a Shark and even a Dragon, but I was born to be a Devil Todd Carney