 Former Lion Gareth Thomas won 100 Wales caps as a rugby union player |
Crusaders new boy Gareth Thomas is "glad" his debut is "out of the way" after concussion forced him off in their 14-6 win over Catalans Dragons. The former Wales rugby union captain was helped off following a heavy tackle half an hour into his league bow. And the 35-year-old revealed he was suffering with blurred vision for most of his debut after suffering another big hit in the opening minutes. He said: "I wasn't feeling the pressure but I was feeling the expectation." Thomas, the one-time British and Irish Lions rugby union skipper, hailed his new code as a "fantastic sport" despite a debut that would have left many saying the opposite. But Thomas, who completed his code switch from Cardiff Blues just two weeks ago, was pleased the hype surrounding his first Crusaders appearance "This could have been my first game or my 100th and what happened would have happened," said Thomas, who won a century of caps for Wales in union. "It is a contact sport and it could have happened at any time. But I'm glad this is out of the way.  | Some of the players in Welsh rugby union would make terrific rugby league players for sure Crusaders coach Brian Noble |
"Now it has gone behind me I can carry on enjoying what is, I think, really and truly a great game. It is a fantastic sport to play, that is why I wanted to play a full 80 minutes." Thomas struggled to make an impact at the Racecourse as he started out on the right wing but ventured infield on several occasions in search of possession. "Sometimes you have got to go looking for the ball and you struggle in union to find it," Thomas said. "But in league what I like is that you can get into dummy half, you can play and help the forwards out." Jason Chan and Tony Martin scored tries as the Welsh side, whipping boys in their first season last year, secured their third Super League victory already this season. Coach Brian Noble admitted Thomas still had a lot to learn about the game but had no doubts he would progress. Noble said: "We are going to have to teach him a few of the nuances of how to protect the ball in the tackle.  Andy Powell fuels speculation of a code switch as he watches the Crusaders |
"He wants to carry the ball a lot but he needs to learn how to do that and when to do that. "But for his first 30-35 minutes he's done fabulously well given he's never played any rugby league." Crusaders overcame the loss of Thomas to triumph 14-6, their third victory of the season. That matches their tally for the whole of last season and with a crowd of 6,124 against a side with little away support, it was further vindication of their move to north Wales. Noble said: "Rugby league has a fabulous opportunity to create something here. "If we get our develop and preparation right, it's one of the biggest things to happen to the game for a long time." Thomas is unlikely to be the last new arrival this season as Crusaders are close to completing the signing of West Tigers full-back Rhys Hanbury. While deals for former State of Origin player Clinton Shifcofske, now at Ulster, and Penrith's Jarrod Sammut are progressing. | 606: DEBATE |
And Thomas may not be the only high-profile recruit from Welsh rugby union. Superstar centre Gavin Henson and forward Andy Powell, who was in the Wrexham crowd on Friday, have both been linked with the Crusaders in recent days but Noble would not reveal whether approaches had been made. Noble said: "We have got the prospect of signing some good players in the next week or so. "I am interested in anybody I think will add to the club, first and foremost as players. "I am a fan of Andy Powell, I have said that publicly. I am also a fan of Gavin Henson. "Some of the players in Welsh rugby union would make terrific rugby league players for sure. "But nothing is ever done until it is done. Watch this space is all I can help you with."
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