Chris Sandow has revealed how the intense media spotlight on players in Sydney had a major bearing on his decision to make the switch to Super League with Warrington.
Sandow has signed a deal until the end of 2017 and could make his Warrington debut in Friday’s Super 8s match at Leeds.
The goalkicking half-back made a high-profile exit from the NRL side Parramatta following a fallout with the Eels coach, Brad Arthur.
The 26-year-old described the way rugby players are treated in Sydney as similar to that of footballers in the UK and said the opportunity to focus on playing again had a big influence on his move.
“It’ll be good to get away from that Sydney spotlight, to be honest,” Sandow said. “I’ve been in the middle of it all since I started playing first grade over seven years ago and it’s so intense over there. It’ll be good to come here and concentrate on playing good footy for this great club.
“It’s bad back home; it’s probably like the football players over here. That’s how it is, it comes with being a professional in Australia. I could have waited until next year [to join Warrington] but with all the stuff that’s been going on it made sense to get it done now.”
Sandow said the scrutiny he was under in the NRL left him feeling unable to leave his house on occasions and he would sometimes head back to his family home in the remote Queensland town of Cherbourg to get away from the pressure.
He said: “It can get you down; I thought it wouldn’t bother me but there were days I genuinely wouldn’t leave the house just to not be seen in public.
“It’s heartbreaking because I’m a proud guy and it can be tough over there but that sort of made my decision to come here easier. I would go home to Cherbourg to get away from Sydney and that refreshed me – and I think it will do the same coming over here.”
Sandow will be joined in Super League next year by the Australia international Dave Taylor, also 26, who has signed a two-year deal with Catalans Dragons.
He will join from Gold Coast Titans, with Catalans announcing the signing on the same day they confirmed the hooker Ian Henderson will return to the NRL with Sydney Roosters.
“I’m really excited about this next phase of my playing career and can’t wait to join the Catalans Dragons,” Taylor said. “I have always had a desire to play in the Super League and I can’t think of a better side to be playing for.”
