JUST a couple of weeks after his first training session with Rugby Union side Sale sharks, Josh Charnley made a well-received debut against Wasps on Sunday.
Watching him on the pitch with the other Shark players, it was plain to see that Charnley is already displaying the characteristics of a rugby union star but it was not enough to save his new team from defeat.
His four-year contract means both he and the club can be patient. However, there is definitely delight among the supporters with what he has to offer at the club and high expectations of how far he can go in the game.
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Charnley has his sights and aspirations set high, he spoke to us about his time at Sale: “I’ve just started my second week and I’ve seen a few faces before so it’s good to be part of a team that I’m familiar with.
“There aren’t many players who have played for their country in the opposite colours, so I want to come and prove everyone wrong. You set your goals high in any job and you’ve got to do what’s best for you and I think this is good for me.”
The 25-year-old left the sport of Rugby league in style after he scored a try during Wigan Warriors’ 12-6 victory over Warrington Wolves in Super League’s Grand Final.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win trophies and silverware with Wigan and play for my country and I wanted something different. When I had the opportunity to come here (Sale Sharks) it was an offer I couldn’t turn down.”
There is a long line of Wigan players moving to union, with Joel Tomkins and Jason Robinson were the most successful to have become cross-code internationals.
League convert Josh Charnley will make his Prem debut for Sale on the left wing V Wasps on Sunday. Head-to-head with Christian Wade.
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) November 25, 2016
Charnley said: “As a kid he was someone I looked up to and wanted to follow in his footsteps, so yeah it is a little bit special because I have grown up watching him. If I could be as successful as him, it would be something that I can then be proud of.”
His statistics as a rugby league player were astounding – 165 tries in 176 appearances – so it will be interesting to see how he fairs. But every rugby fan will be hoping he can take to the game more naturally than some others who have changed codes.
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