Just great to be here: Gatis

Jan 1 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NEW Giants arrival George Gatis jetted into England and declared: “ I would have loved to have played against Halifax!”

The 29-year-old former New Zealand Warriors hooker had been in the country less than 24 hours when he made the claim.

But such is his desire to wear the claret and gold for the first time that he would have gladly attempted to shake off the effects of jet lag to make a rapid debut on Sunday.

“If somebody had told me on Saturday lunchtime I would have to play, I would have said ‘no’, because I’d only just got off the plane,” said Gatis.

“But as soon as I got to Halifax on Sunday, I would have given almost anything to have had a run-out. If somebody had pulled out a shirt and got me my boots, I’d have been first out of the tunnel!

“I suppose it might have been a little foolhardy, but it’s just because I’m looking forward so much to getting out on the field with the boys for the first time.

“It seems ages since I last played a competitive game (it was for the Warriors in their Australian NRL play-off semi-final defeat to North Queensland Cowboys back in September), and I’ve missed being around the club for all the pre-season training and the workouts so far.

“Before coming out here, I had to tie things up with the family business, although I have done a lot of fitness work on my own.

“But getting back to working with the boys is something I’ve really missed.

“I know I’m going to have to get to know a new set of teammates, but in the few days I’ve been here it’s already clear I’m going to be with a great bunch.

“This is really exciting.”

WARM WELCOME new signing George Gatis meets Giants head coach Jon Sharp for the first time ahead of the Infirmary Cup clash at Halifax.Picture by John Rushworth