New Wakefield signing Paul McShane said the biggest factor in his move from Leeds was a concern over game time.
The 24-year-old hooker, who joined the Rhinos aged 16, handed in a transfer request when news broke of Paul Aiton’s move in the opposite direction.
Last week he penned a two-year deal at Belle Vue. “With Paul signing it was me going down to third choice,” said McShane.
“I needed to be playing rugby and not missing out every other week, getting the odd game here and there. It was just a game time thing really, and going somewhere where I am going to play.”
McShane said the prospect of reuniting with Richards Agar and Moore played its part, too.
“Richard Agar was a factor. He gave me my first proper crack at Super League aged 19 [while on loan at Hull]; he’s a good bloke and a good coach. I met with him a few days before and we had a good chat. “Richard Moore [also a former Rhino] is a really good lad, too. He has been in touch with me over the last few weeks and he was chuffed to bits with his move and now he’s happy that I’m there with him.”
The Leeds-born number 9 acknowledges that his new side is tipped by most to struggle in Super League next season, but he remains confident.
“A lot of people have written Wakefield off,” he said, “but they’ve showed over the past few seasons with Rich in charge that they’re a fighting side and they have a real good dig for each other. You can’t write them off.
“If you look at the team on paper it’s still a good squad. They’ve lost a few players but they’ve kept the core of it.”
Coach Agar said: “Paul’s a very talented player and very creative out of dummy half. “He’s at that stage of his career now where he needs to be playing regularly, and we think he can become a dominant and prominent player for us.”
