Saint Gidley can't wait to get going
Last updated at 12:14 10 January 2007
World Cup winner Matt Gidley has just one regret about the timing of his move from Australian club Newcastle Knights to engage Super League champions St Helens.
"I wish I had come over one year earlier," said the 29-year-old Kangeroos test centre yesterday.
St Helens cleaned up last season, winning the Powergen Challenge Cup and the League Leaders' Shield as well the Super League Grand Final.
"Not many clubs win three trophies in the same year and I missed out on all that but hopefully Saints will be there again this time and it will be a privilege to play for them," said the man who replaces former Super League 'Man of Steel' Jamie Lyon at Knowsley Road.
Gidley, 29, an ever-present for Australia when they won the 2000 World Cup in the UK, and Lyon's centre partner in the Ashes series here the following year, cannot wait to get started in Super League.
"I am a bit nervous and I know Jamie had a couple of wonderful seasons with Saints and will be a hard act to follow.
"But I needed a new challenge after 11 seasons with my home-town club and it was always my dream to come and play in Super League."
Saints made their play for Gidley as soon as they knew Lyon wanted to return to the NRL this year with Manly Sea Eagles.
"Jamie told me the Saints fans are the best he has ever come across and I can tell after a couple of training sessions that the team is a class outfit.
"I also took advice from former Wigan winger Brian Carney who played for Newcastle last season. He said my move to Saints was just what I needed."
Gidley hinted yesterday that he could be joined in Super League in 2008 by Australia test legend Andrew 'Joey' Johns.
They were team mates at Newcastle and Gidley said: "Joey has never stopped talking about how much he enjoyed his loan spell with Warrington and I think he may come back after one more year with the Knights."
Gidley's first big test with St Helens will come in the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on February 23.
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