Clinton Schifcofske is in talks with Crusaders over a new contract following a successful first season in North Wales.
Noble signs praises of Australian after breakthrough season
Clinton Schifcofske is in talks with Crusaders over a new contract following a successful first season in North Wales.
The former Parramatta and Canberra full-back was plucked out of rugby union by Brian Noble and thrust into his hastily re-built squad ahead of the 2010 campaign.
The former Ulster full-back has played a key role in their successful bid to reach the Engage Super League play-offs despite reaching the twilight of his career.
The 35-year-old is still ninth in Australian rugby league's all-time top point scoring list despite switching codes in 2006, and he believes he still has another 12 months left in him.
Experience
"Obviously I'm getting a little bit old," he said. "I just wanted to see how the body was after four years of union and I've been fine.
"I enjoyed the time in union. It was a real good experience and I travelled to all parts of the world.
"Rugby is such a global game but, once you've played league, you get spoilt. Obviously you don't get the ball as much in union and it was good to be back and get the ball in my hands more.
"I knew Brian through Matthew Elliott at Penrith and Canberra. It was a logical choice and I'm glad I chose it. It's been a real experience and it looks like I might have a start next year as well."
Noble is delighted Schifcofske has proved all the doubters wrong with some stellar performances this year.
"Words fail me with Clinton," he said. "People scratched their heads and asked what were we doing getting a 35-year-old bloke out of rugby union but I was after him for three months before we finally got him.
Leader
"I know Chok's credentials. He's an absolutely fabulous person and a great leader of a group. He's mentally tough and a bit daft like me in that he thinks we can win every game we play in.
"He was the first person on the list and it took helluva lot of negotiations to get him but gosh are we glad we did because he's been the form full-back of the competition."
And Schifcofske believes the future is bright for the club despite the likelihood that Noble will not be extending his contract beyond a year.
"You hear people saying it's a team full of Aussies but it's a bit of a pioneering experience," he said.
"There are a lot of Aussies but they've got some great Welsh kids like Elliot Kear, Lloyd White and Benny Flower who are ready to play first grade.
"We had 6,000 people there on Saturday going bananas, singing and cheering, and I was proud to be a part of it.
"It's fingers crossed that Super League get on board with it. I think they will. It will be great for the game."
