Great choice of words in that article...

"the manner in which he was dumped by Cronulla and the NRL left a sour taste in his mouth"

If he could go back to the NRL he'd be outta France quicker than you could say 'brie'

yehright, keep his nose clean for a year and he'll be welcomed back in the NRL with open arms, whats the betting he has some get out clause in his contract?

I believe that Todd Carney is now motivated to play his best rugby league for Catalans, and bolstered by his former Cronulla team mate Benjamin Pomeroy being at the club, he will adapt to and enjoy his time in Perpignan. The NRL clubs will not be following closely his career at Catalans because most of their games are not shown in Australia. They will also not know of his off field progress. That means they will still be leary of trying to sign him.

All of this augurs well for Catalans chances of not only making the top 4, but even of winning silverware.

I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.

Quote: LifeLongHKRFan "I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.'" Agreed. I only worry about serious injuries messing up the best laid plans. I might add that if we get to see Catalans play Hull KR with both Todd Carney and Albert Kelly fit and playing, I would it imagine that it could be one of the most scintillating games of flashy attack that fans of either club have seen in a long time. It will be worth twice the price of admission. Here is the Catalans press conference, in both French and English language segments. Both Todd Carney and William Tonga seem to be highly motivated. At the end the Catalans Chairman Bernard Guasch raised the past experience with one-time exiled bad boy Greg Bird. Bernard Guasch said that the club never had any problem with Greg Bird, and in fact he was a charming person, and he expected the same experience with Todd Carney. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmbVzfXfmc

Quote: LifeLongHKRFan "I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.'" Agreed. I only worry about serious injuries messing up the best laid plans. I might add that if we get to see Catalans play Hull KR with both Todd Carney and Albert Kelly fit and playing, I would it imagine that it could be one of the most scintillating games of flashy attack that fans of either club have seen in a long time. It will be worth twice the price of admission. Here is the Catalans press conference, in both French and English language segments. Both Todd Carney and William Tonga seem to be highly motivated. At the end the Catalans Chairman Bernard Guasch raised the past experience with one-time exiled bad boy Greg Bird. Bernard Guasch said that the club never had any problem with Greg Bird, and in fact he was a charming person, and he expected the same experience with Todd Carney. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmbVzfXfmc

If he takes it seriously and gets back to his very best form he could be the best player in the world at the moment.

Gregory.

Beat me to it.

Gregory Bird it is.

But that press conference got me thinking about the attacking strike power of Catalans. If Todd Carney and William Tonga can get back to their best form, and if Scott Dureau can do the same, with Morgan Escare at full back, plus Michael Oldfield on one wing and Vincent Duport on another, then the Catalans backline would have to be the most powerful backline in Super League.

The Catalans backrow is already outstanding (Zebolon Taia, Elliot Whitehead, Jason Baitieri, Gregory Mounis, Louis Anderson), as are the hookers (Ian Henderson and Eloi Pelisssier) so it up to the front row -- Remi Casty, Olivier Elima, Julien Bousquet, Jeff Lima, and Antoni Maria -- to hold and make ground up the centre. If that happens then Carney, Tonga and Escare will run riot against all comers.

There are a lot of "ifs" here. But if everything comes together, the talent pool acquired by Catalans can win silverware.

Jeffrey Lima

When the Catalans names and numbers from 1 - 25 are published I'm sure it will look a very strong squad indeed.

I must admit I'm tempted to have a punt on Catalans this year. Their away form will probably be less than perfect again, but I think they will be strong enough at home to make up for this and make the top 4. After that anything can happen.

Todd Carney has caught the eye of rugby union stalwart and columnist Peter Fitzsimons: www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 1pze4.html

Todd Carney has caught the eye of rugby union stalwart and columnist Peter Fitzsimons: www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 1pze4.html