Noble faces battle to build squad

Thursday 17th December 2009

Crusaders head coach Brian Noble admits he is facing a race against time to get a competitive squad together in time for the start of engage Super League XV.

The former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain boss also revealed the fledgling Super League club will be forced to pack their team with overseas players for 2010 because of the lack of available domestic talent.

Noble, who attended Tuesday's press conference on crutches after undergoing major knee surgery, said he lost out on several transfer targets in recent weeks because of the uncertainty over the club's future. "That's the sad and frustrating thing for us," he said. "I didn't want to give commitments and promises to people that couldn't be fulfilled so there's been a hold on recruitment."

He added: "We missed out on four or five players that we could have got across the line. Now this press conference is out of the way, we can focus on that."

Former Hull hooker Tommy Lee is the club's only confirmed newcomer for 2010 but they have been linked with overseas players Michael Witt, Matt Utai, Tony Martin and Nick Youngquest.

As a developing club, the Crusaders will be allowed to sign up to 14 overseas players in 2010 and Noble confirmed he is almost certain to fill the quota.

"There is no other way we can get a team out on the field unless we do," he said. "If you look at the availability of domestic players, it's absolutely non-existent.

"The reality for us is that we've got to go overseas initially and develop the talent that is here in Wales.

"It's a race against time in many respects but the whole of the rugby league should support this 100%. The more Welsh players that come into the mix, the better it is for Super League. We need to spread the word.

"It's fabulously exciting. We know we need to be reasonably competitive this year. We're going to have to overcome a few hurdles but I'm absolutely thrilled that this has come off."