Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Crusaders sign Aussie duo

Tony Martin and Michael Witt
Tony Martin and Michael Witt played together at the New Zealand Warriors

Crusaders have completed the signing of Australian duo Tony Martin and Michael Witt for the 2010 Super League season.

Centre Martin has already arrived in Wales, while half-back Witt joins up with his new team-mates next week.

Experienced goal-kicker Martin scored a crucial try in Melbourne's NRL Grand Final win in 1999.

The 31-year-old former London Broncos star said: "I'm really excited about getting in there at the Crusaders as a club that's still young."

New Crusaders coach Brian Noble has now signed five players as he tries to rebuild the Welsh team after many of their stars were deported for breaching visa regulations last season.

Noble is also apparently chasing Australian Test forward Willie Mason and New Zealander Weller Hauraki while he has signed former Hull hooker Tommy Lee, Aussie full-back Nick Youngquest and ex-Wakefield Trinity Wildcats second-row forward Frank Winterstein.

Witt and Martin are former team-mates at NRL club New Zealand Warriors and shared goal-kicking duties in the 2007 season.

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Martin's career stretches back 14 seasons and he has made 253 first team appearances - scoring 79 tries and kicking 320 goals - in a career with the Warriors, Melbourne Storm, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and two spells with the London Broncos.

He said: "I've been in similar clubs at London Broncos and Melbourne Storm who aren't in the so-called rugby league heartlands and were trying to break through in their respective areas.

"To do the same in Wales, we need to make it a real family environment, do the right things and play well on the field.

"I feel that I and all the other new players are lucky to get this opportunity and I really want to help to make it all work in Wales."

Martin's Grand Final try for Melbourne against St George Illawarra in their 20-18 win was played in front of a world record crowd of 107,999.

Witt will land in Wrexham on Monday after securing a work permit and will join the squad as they prepare for their Super League opener with Leeds Rhinos at the Racecourse on 29 January.

Witt, who has completed a short spell with the Otago rugby union club in New Zealand, has scored 23 tries and kicked 258 goals in six NRL seasons with Parramatta Eagles, Manly Sea Eagles and the Warriors.

ะพ 5:03 AM

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