Betts delighted as Burke joins Widnes
WIDNES have added more depth to their pack this week with the signing of Greg Burke from Wigan Warriors.
The Vikings have suffered as much as anybody this year in the middle of the field with Alex Gerrard ruled out for the season just a weeks into the campaign and Eamon O’Carroll currently sidelined for an indefinite period. Greater depth in that area is sure to be welcome.
Burke has made 18 appearances for Wigan this season and was in the side that produced a strong performance to defeat Catalans Dragons 26-6 last weekend in Perpignan.
The 23 year-old’s deal at the Vikings runs to the end of the 2018 season and he’s available for selection immediately.
Widnes boss Denis Betts said: “He’s got a lot of experience for someone his age and he’ll add more competition in the middle.
“He’s shown at Wigan that he’s a tough competitior and he’s got a pass in him too. Greg is a really positive signing for us.
“He is a young British forward with lots of potential coming out of a great system at Wigan.
“He is ambitious and looking to develop himself whilst adding strength to our squad, increasing the competition for places here at the Vikings. It’s an area where you always need some depth and the injury issues we’ve had this year probably show that.
“We’ve also got the likes of the Chapelhow twins and Sam Brooks coming through so we’ve got an eye towards the future.”
Betts has also confirmed that Widnes have been running the rule over Leigh Centurions centre Tom Armstrong.
The 26 year-old has proved himself more than capable at Championship level and may have the potential to step up.
However, the Vikings may not be his only suitor.
Betts added “I’ve spoke to [Armstrong’s] agent and to a lot of other people’s agents. Tom’s someone I looked at when we came in to Super League but he went off to do a degree and wanted to stay part-time.
“He’s quick, one of the best centres in the Championship and I think there are a number of clubs interested in him – or that’s what his agent tells me!”
As for the rumours regarding Kevin Brown leaving the club for St Helens and a possible move for Australian half-back Jamie Soward, speaking earlier this week Betts claimed that as far as he knew it was “paper talk”
However, if Brown was to go, a strengthening of the threequarters could open up an opportunity for Chris Bridge to compete for a role in the halves with Joe Mellor and Tom Gilmore.
Betts mused: “I’d be keen on taking Kev Brown too! Halfbacks are a rare commodity at the moment and Kev’s a particularly good one. St Helens are a side that want to be in Grand Finals and it’s not surprising if they want someone like Kev. These things are going to happen; we’re a side people are going to want to pick at.
“It’s happened with Rhys Hanbury, it’s happened with Joe Mellor, with Lloyd White and Alex Gerrard. It’s happened with a lot of players who’ve performed well for us.
“Kev’s in the international set-up at this moment in time and he’s probably a target for one of those top three or four sides. But I’ve just read it in the paper like you have. If anybody knows anything, it’s not me.”