Josh Drinkwater signs with Leigh Centurions
- Thread starter Sabre
- Start date
Leigh Centurions are pleased to confirm the signing of 23-year-old Australian halfback Josh Drinkwater on a contract until the end of the current season.
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This will be Drinkwater's second spell in England as he was top points scorer for London Broncos in their relegation season of 2014, scoring five tries and kicking 58 goals in 25 appearances.
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A member of Wests Tigers' 30-man squad he has recently been in impressive form in the New South Wales Cup and won the Man of the Match award in NSW Residents' recent victory over Queensland Residents at Langlands Park, Brisbane.
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Sydney born and a former Manly junior, he made his NRL bow with St George Illawarra in 2013 and then joined Wests after leaving London.
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Josh Drinkwater said: "I am very much looking forward to joining Leigh Centurions. It is an ambitious Club and hopefully I can play a part in the Club’s endeavour to Super League promotion."
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Leigh Centurions Head Coach Neil Jukes said: "We are always on the look-out for good, young, hungry and talented players and we constantly scour the market not just in England and the NRL but its feeder clubs, as there is a lot of talent there.
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"Paul Anderson has been watching Josh's performance levels which have been outstanding and he played an integral role in New South Wales' recent win.
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"In the last couple of weeks the whole staff including Derek have monitored Josh closely and he ticks all the boxes. He will add to our current halfback combinations which is already a talented section within our group. I look forward to embracing him into our Club as we set about our only goal this year, a place in Super League."
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Neil Jukes added: "Any player who gets in a 30 man NRL squad is a talented player and Josh probably feels he has unfinished business over here after his year with London ended in relegation.
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"Just as we have researched him thoroughly I believe that likewise Josh and his agent have done their research on Leigh Centurions and the positive feedback he has received about the way we do things here has helped him in making this decision.
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"It is our job to ensure that those on and off field standards are not only maintained but constantly improved as we seek to achieve our goals."
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Leigh Centurions Owner Derek Beaumont said: "I have always stated I am committed to do what is necessary to give this club the best opportunity I can to get into Super League and this is a further signing to support that.
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"Josh is young and energetic and has Super League experience. He has been killing it in the New South Wales Cup where he has been attracting a lot of attention from the NRL and Super League. Josh certainly has the credentials to significantly improve any side.
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"He sees this as a clear challenge of assisting us in gaining Super League status and is incentivised to do so whilst at the same time he can put himself in a larger shop window with the Summer Bash and Middle 8s games that will be live on Sky.
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"There will no doubt then be competition for him from Super League and the NRL and it is my job to compete in that market if we have gained promotion. I am confident that Josh will enjoy his time here and the family friendly atmosphere which should make that job a little easier."
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This will be Drinkwater's second spell in England as he was top points scorer for London Broncos in their relegation season of 2014, scoring five tries and kicking 58 goals in 25 appearances.
>
A member of Wests Tigers' 30-man squad he has recently been in impressive form in the New South Wales Cup and won the Man of the Match award in NSW Residents' recent victory over Queensland Residents at Langlands Park, Brisbane.
>
Sydney born and a former Manly junior, he made his NRL bow with St George Illawarra in 2013 and then joined Wests after leaving London.
>
Josh Drinkwater said: "I am very much looking forward to joining Leigh Centurions. It is an ambitious Club and hopefully I can play a part in the Club’s endeavour to Super League promotion."
>
Leigh Centurions Head Coach Neil Jukes said: "We are always on the look-out for good, young, hungry and talented players and we constantly scour the market not just in England and the NRL but its feeder clubs, as there is a lot of talent there.
>
"Paul Anderson has been watching Josh's performance levels which have been outstanding and he played an integral role in New South Wales' recent win.
>
"In the last couple of weeks the whole staff including Derek have monitored Josh closely and he ticks all the boxes. He will add to our current halfback combinations which is already a talented section within our group. I look forward to embracing him into our Club as we set about our only goal this year, a place in Super League."
>
Neil Jukes added: "Any player who gets in a 30 man NRL squad is a talented player and Josh probably feels he has unfinished business over here after his year with London ended in relegation.
>
"Just as we have researched him thoroughly I believe that likewise Josh and his agent have done their research on Leigh Centurions and the positive feedback he has received about the way we do things here has helped him in making this decision.
>
"It is our job to ensure that those on and off field standards are not only maintained but constantly improved as we seek to achieve our goals."
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Leigh Centurions Owner Derek Beaumont said: "I have always stated I am committed to do what is necessary to give this club the best opportunity I can to get into Super League and this is a further signing to support that.
>
"Josh is young and energetic and has Super League experience. He has been killing it in the New South Wales Cup where he has been attracting a lot of attention from the NRL and Super League. Josh certainly has the credentials to significantly improve any side.
>
"He sees this as a clear challenge of assisting us in gaining Super League status and is incentivised to do so whilst at the same time he can put himself in a larger shop window with the Summer Bash and Middle 8s games that will be live on Sky.
>
"There will no doubt then be competition for him from Super League and the NRL and it is my job to compete in that market if we have gained promotion. I am confident that Josh will enjoy his time here and the family friendly atmosphere which should make that job a little easier."
Chipofftheoldblock
Well-known member
Going to a club who base their game on intimidation. I think Rangi Chase just left the club also which is why they have signed Drinkwater.
Reni Matuai, Harrison Hanson, Gareth Hock, Cory Patterson, Fui Fui and Willie Tonga play for Leigh.
Not a fan of how they play the game but good luck to Josh.
Reni Matuai, Harrison Hanson, Gareth Hock, Cory Patterson, Fui Fui and Willie Tonga play for Leigh.
Not a fan of how they play the game but good luck to Josh.
greatodensraven
New member
I thought he wanted to play 1st grade in the NRL? Good luck to him tho.
Maybe another signing on the way for us? Or another chance to promote someone into the top 25?
Maybe another signing on the way for us? Or another chance to promote someone into the top 25?
Harvey
Well-known member
He has a better kicking games than both our halves. Frees up cap space to sign Luke Walsh
:astonished: :astonished: :astonished: that's a shock…
Good Luck Quadja...
Good Luck Quadja...
Well….if you keep playing reasonable footy and your not given a go, which happens alot at the Tigers, then you have to go elsewhere.
Tigers are 100% that Broses are the Tigers future......be funny if Broses left at the end of the end though.
In the last 4-5 years we are definitely the most stupid club in the NRL.
Tigers are 100% that Broses are the Tigers future......be funny if Broses left at the end of the end though.
In the last 4-5 years we are definitely the most stupid club in the NRL.
Eye_Of_Da_Tiger
New member
Good luck to him. He just wants to play footy and obviously there was no room for him in NRL.If he kills it there some one will come knocking on his door.Not a solid first grader at this point.
Cosimo_Zaretti
New member
That's going to leave the Monday "your team against…" thread short a half.
Love_the_WestsTigers
Well-known member
Well he couldnt hang around for ever waiting to see if he got picked in FG
Wish him all the best
Very soon we will have No Back ups left
Wish him all the best
Very soon we will have No Back ups left
Suprised he even stuck around as long as he did.
Would've thought he'd leave towards the end of 2025 but he stuck around for this year, haa
He was never going to get a look.
Would've thought he'd leave towards the end of 2025 but he stuck around for this year, haa
He was never going to get a look.
farmduck
Member
@Love the WestsTigers said:
Technically he won't be in "first grade" over there either. Leigh are only a 2nd Division club, even though their record over the last few years has been amazing. They finished on top last year and only lost 2 games in 2014\. Their halves have both left recently. Brierley joined Hudds and Chase is on "indefinite leave for undisclosed reasons."
851
Well-known member
@Love the WestsTigers said:
Does not matter, super coach won't use them anyway.
supercoach
Well-known member
To classy for reserve grade and was never going to oust a wonder child, so head north was the right cll
851
Well-known member
@bp tiger said:
Mate I am not surprised, if you are in nsw cup and your NRL team is going as bad as the WestsTigers are, you would think by now you would have been given a chance, or some of your team mates given chances.
But alas the pick and stick JT regime produced an almost spoon last year, and 14th this year after 10 rounds, losing 7 of our last 8 games, what a system. :crazy
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