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Moana makes reds switch

Liam Chronnell
31/ 7/2003

EXPERIENCED loose forward Martin Moana signed for Salford City Reds this week to link up with some old friends and neighbours.

The 29-year-old former Halifax, Wakefield and Doncaster star arrived at the Willows on Tuesday to team up with former teammate Gavin Clinch - who lives just a few doors away from him in Yorkshire.

Moana also re-establishes a link with Reds coach Karl Harrison, who he played alongside during his first stint with Halifax, and football director Steve Simms, who originally signed the Samoan-born powerhouse from Auckland Warriors seven years ago.

"It's nice to see some familiar faces," Moana admitted to Advertiser Sport, "I'm looking forward to getting started. The club is going forward and playing really well. It's a new start for me after seven years at Halifax but I'm excited about joining Salford."

On Tuesday Moana was put through his paces by Reds coach Harrison, who he holds in very high regard, if somewhat informally. "I played five years with Rhino at Halifax," he told us, "Karl is a good coach who wants to take the club forward and a really top bloke as well."

Moana has played more games in Super League for Halifax than any other player and also tops the club's Carling Opta points table this season.

He is the second big name to leave the Shay this week after Danny Halliwell joined Leigh Centurions on Monday. But Halifax acted quickly to rebuff any claims that they are releasing players for financial reasons.

An official statement read: "The board and advisors of Halifax RLFC learnt with disappointment and regret on Monday July 28 that Martin Moana had requested an immediate release from his playing contract.

"The club wishes to emphasise that this release was wholly instigated by the player, and that it has no wish to release players."

• Places are still available for the Forever Reds 'It's a Knockout' event on August 16 at the Willows. Booking forms can be obtained from the Scarlet Turkey website or by contacting 07867 545804.