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IMPENDING Salford signing Ray Cashmere executes one of his trademark heavy tackles on New Zealand Warriors' Brent Tate.
Reds 'Cash' in
Dave Lawrenson24/ 7/2008
SALFORD will ‘cash’ in on their three-year Super League licence – in more ways than one.
The licence is reportedly worth £4million over the three years and Salford have already shown their intention to put the money to good use by signing Australian Ray Cashmere.
The 28-year-old powerhouse has agreed a three-year deal with the Reds after being released from the final year of his contract with NRL outfit North Queensland Cowboys.
Reds coach Shaun McRae says that he is delighted to be bringing in the 17 stone prop, who stands at 6ft 5ins and has played 47 games for the Cowboys. And McRae claims that ‘several’ other overseas players have declared their interest in joining the Reds.
Now that Salford’s Super League future has been secured, director of football Steve Simms will attempt to get the Reds’ transfer targets for next season signed and sealed.
But McRae says that he is not planning to recruit Mick Higham despite Salford being strongly linked with the Wigan hooker, who now looks to be heading to Warrington.
Salford have also been linked with St Helens centre Willie Talau and McRae admits that the Reds will make a move for him should Saints decide not to retain his services for next year. And McRae says that the same is true of Hull KR half back Paul Cooke, who is rumoured to be on his way out of Craven Park following allegations of a training ground bust-up with a teammate.
"The big news on Tuesday takes us back to where we belong," McRae said. "And I am confident that we will be competitive in Super League next year and even more so in the years 2010 and 2011.
"You are allowed eight overseas players next year and several have told us that they would be interested in coming to Salford should we gain a Super League licence.
"We will now look to follow that interest up but we can’t speak to contracted Super League players until the start of September due to anti-tampering laws.
"We would be interested in signing Paul Cooke and Willie Talau if they were to become available as they are both really good players. But Mick Higham is not a player that we intend to chase.
"I admit that Steve Simms and I met with Higham’s agent but we have never made him an offer. And with Malc Alker and Robbie Paul, who will probably play a slightly different role next year, already at the club I’m not sure we need Higham.
"We have agreed to sign Ray Cashmere and I am delighted about that.
"He is very experienced and has terrific ball skills for such a big guy. I am sure he will be a very good acquisition.
"And with Craig Stapleton, Phil Leuluai and Lee Jewitt already signed up for next year and with us chasing one or two other forwards, I am confident we will have a strong pack."
Other players that the Reds have been linked with signing are St George Illawarra star Ben Rogers, Wigan’s Liam Colbon, Hull’s Graeme Horne and Leeds’ Nick Scruton.
Meanwhile, McRae believes that Tuesday’s licensing decision, which will see Salford and Welsh outfit Celtic Crusaders join the current 12 Super League clubs in a new-look elite division next year, opens the door for the Reds to become a major player in European rugby league.
He said: "Salford have been a successful club in the past but in recent times the club has been hamstrung by having a much lower salary cap than the top clubs and their inability to attract top of the market players.
"But, over time and with the new stadium on the horizon, that should change now that we have got a Super League licence.
"Tuesday’s decision was a significant moment in the club’s history but a lot of hard work still lies ahead and it is very important that we get our recruitment right for Super League."
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24/07/2008 at 17:22