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SALFORD’S latest man mountain Rob Parker has said his goodbyes to Warrington’s fans.
A giant aim
Dave Lawrenson2/10/2008
GIANT forward Rob Parker is determined to prove himself worthy of a return to international rugby league after signing a one-year deal at Salford City Reds.
The 27-year-old captained England to the European Nations Cup title as a Braford Bulls player in 2004 but he has been left in the international wilderness since joining Warrington Wolves for the 2006 season.
He was nearly always used as an bench player at Warrington and he sees his move to Salford as an opportunity to force his way back into the international limelight.
Parker, who is one of two players to have joined the Reds this week with former New Zealand Test centre Willie Talau reported to be set to follow his St Helens teammate Dean McGilvray’s lead by signing for Salford after the Super League Grand Final with Leeds at the weekend, said: "I intend to show my best form for Salford and, hopefully, that will get me back into the national side. I certainly think I am good enough to play at that level.
"But talk is cheap. I need to have a good season for Salford and take things from there."
Parker added "I am really excited about signing for Salford and I don’t see it as a step down from Warrington. Salford may not be as high profile as the Wolves but they have a three-year Super League licence now and they are a club on the up. It is a good place for me to further my career."
Parker’s three-year stint at Warrington was hindered by injury problems but he insists that they are all behind him now. He made 27 appearances for the Wolves this year and Salford coach Shaun McRae is convinced that Parker will prove to be a shrewd signing.
McRae said: "We may have six props already signed up for next year but Rob’s a very versatile player. He can play in the second row or at loose forward and I haven’t decided what position he is going to play in yet.
"He has got great leg speed at the line, he’s technically very efficient in defence and, as an ex-Bradford and Wolves player, he brings lots of experience to us.
The Reds’ coach is also thrilled to have snapped up speedy winger McGilvray, aged 20, on a two-year deal.
He said: "Dean never had the opportunity to bypass Francis Meli or Ade Gardner at St Helens and now he wants the opportunity to play first team rugby.
"He’s highly regarded, dedicated to training and he is exactly the sort of player that we needed to recruit."
McRae says that Salford’s 2009 squad is ‘almost complete’ now. The Reds have just one more overseas quota spot, which 32-year-old Talau looks set to fill. But Salford have applied for props Phil Leuluai and Craig Stapleton to be taken off the quota with McRae insisting that ‘they meet the criteria for dispensation’.
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3/10/2008 at 14:15