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The new Langi

17/11/2005

JUNIOR Langi is going above and beyond the call of duty in a bid to make himself a crowd favourite at Salford City Reds.

Salford fans will have expected Langi to spend the close season catching the rays back home in Australia.

But the 24-year-old three quarter has stayed in England to undergo an intense fitness regime.

Langi's lack of match fitness spoilt his hopes of making a good first impression with the Salford fans.

His fitness troubles stemmed from a torn quad muscle. It forced him to play catch up for the rest of the campaign and the Tongan is determined not to let history repeat itself.

Langi said: "I've stayed in England to get myself right for next season. I have been doing a lot of extra training and I have turned down the lure of much better weather back home.

"That shows how badly I want to be a success at Salford.

"Last season didn't start well for me. The torn quad limited the training I could do and when I started playing I wasn't fit enough. I also had a few other injuries during the year so I didn't play as many games as I would have liked but all in all my first season went okay.

"I think I improved as the season progressed.

"It certainly helped me when my wife and baby girl came over to live with me. I felt a lot more relaxed after that and I didn't want the season to end because I felt as though I was getting better with every game.

"But Salford's fans still haven't seen the best of me. That is something I am looking to put right next season."

Reds coach Karl Harrison has every faith in Langi's ability. He was disappointed with his early season impact but he stated in two separate press conferences last term that 'Junior will be an awesome player for Salford next year.'

Langi said: "That is nice to hear and I'm looking to repay Karl for the faith he has shown in me. I want to play really well next year and help us finish in the top six.

"I would prefer to play in the centres but there is going to be a lot of competition for the centre spots next year.

"We've signed Aaron Moule from Widnes and we already had the likes of Kevin McGuinness and Stuart Littler.

"But I am quite a versatile player. I can play on the wing or in the back row. In fact, I'd be happy to play anywhere as long as I'm in the team."

Langi's contract runs out at the end of next season and he is determined to win himself a new deal.

The ex-Parramatta Eels player said: "I'd love to stay longer than one more year. The coaching staff, the fans and the city are awesome at Salford."