Former Warrington and NRL half-back Chris Sandow believes that the time is right to make his return to the English game and says that he is going to prove all his doubters wrong and embrace his second chance.
Sandow left the Wolves in acrimonious circumstances at the end of 2016, failing to return to the club for pre-season training.
He cited tragic family circumstances and homesickness as reasons for his departure and has since spent time playing in Australia for Queensland Cup side Norths Devils and more recently Moranbah Miners in the Mackay A Grade Competition.
However, he feels that the circumstances are now right for him reignite his Super League journey and prove his worth, and admitted that he wants to do more than just play rugby when he returns from down under.
“I’m really excited to get back to the English Super League and prove a point,” he said. “I want to come back here and give back to the youth and grassroots levels of rugby, so when I’m not training and playing, I want to be working with the youngsters and coaching.
“I don’t want to just play rugby over in the UK; I want to stay long after my playing career.”
The 29-year old also admitted that he needed to overcome his personal issues before contemplating a return to the English game.
He was fined $300 for his part in a street brawl in early 2017, but hopes that, like many others, he is able to draw a line under his previous misdemeanours and get back to what he enjoys doing most.
“It was hard to admit that I’d made mistakes in the past, but I did that and faced my demons head on,” Sandow claimed.
“It has been hard being out of the top game for 18 months now, but I’ve been ticking over by playing at a lower level.
“No matter what the day, it [your love for the game] never leaves you. I feel great physically and mentally and know exactly what I can offer a team. I will let my rugby do the talking, but I think we all know what I am capable of doing.”
Sandow was linked to a return to his former club Warrington in previous weeks, but head coach Steve Price quashed any possible return for the former Wolves number seven.
However, he is reportedly still attracting interest from several other top-flight clubs and believes that he will end up at his ideal club in time for the 2019 campaign.
“I did mention wanting to return to Warrington more than anything to show the fans that I was sorry, but to be honest, after Pricey’s comments, I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon,” he exclaimed!
“I don’t think I have to say anything to any clubs to convince them to bring me over; I know I will be back in 2019.
“We all know what I can do on the field; there’s no doubting that my problems have been off the field but I’m over that now and ready to move on.”
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