RUGBY LEAGUE

A NOBLE CRUSADE TO BOOST WELSH

NOBLE: New challenge

Thursday October 15,2009

By Martin Richards

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BRIAN NOBLE plans to build a Celtic Crusaders side full of young Welsh talent to sparkle on the Super League stage.

Noble’s priority after taking up a two-year contract as head coach is to assemble a team that can be competitive next season and throw off the mantle of the league’s whipping boys.

That means bringing in experienced players from other Super League clubs and the southern hemisphere to join the handful of former NRL stars already there.

Former Leeds centre Clinton Toopi, currently playing rugby union in his native New Zealand, is already on Noble’s radar. Ex-Kiwi international Toopi played 15 games for the Rhinos before being released last year as he needed knee surgery.

Wigan centre George Carmont and Salford prop Stephen Nash could be other targets for Noble, with Canberra Raiders winger or centre Adrian Purtell also on the wanted list.

But it looks as though Noble will come up empty-handed in his bid to lure former St Helens skipper Paul Sculthorpe out of retirement.

Former Great Britain boss Noble, who enjoyed huge success as coach of Bradford, succeeds Australian John Dixon, whose contract was not renewed after the Crusaders finished last in their inaugural Super League season.

“In the short term, we have to form ourselves a team that can get out and be competitive next season and we are working very hard on that,” said Noble, who left Wigan 10 days ago.

“A few years down the track, I’d like to see some fabulous Welsh talent playing here at the highest level. I hope the people of Wales get behind us.

“It’s an awesome challenge, not only to improve performances and prospects of the Crusaders, but to give opportunities to young Welshmen.