Benson banking on Kerr to shine

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson expects new signing Wayne Kerr to have a major impact next year.

The 24-year-old prop forward, currently in Australia as part of Ireland’s World Cup squad, has penned a one-year deal, following in the footsteps of Benson by swopping London Skolars for Oldham.

While he has only been playing rugby league for three years, Benson — who first came across the powerfully-framed figure when coaching the Irish Residents team two years ago — believes Kerr will prove to be a real fans’ favourite.

“Wayne used to play rugby union as a winger, and he is still very quick for a prop,” he said. “He is aggressive in defence and quick and powerful in attack.

“It was a big step up for him when he arrived at Skolars, but he progressed very quickly once he got used to the game at that level.

“He finished his one season there as the club’s joint top try scorer, and not many props do that. Some of his tries were from half way, others were from close range. Either way, he took some stopping.

“He still has a lot to learn, but he can offer a lot to a team, particularly in how he can dominate the middle of the field.”

Kerr has been attracting plenty of media attention in Australia. As the only one of four Irish Residents in the Ireland squad to make it into Andy Kelly’s team in the tournament, he has also proved his credentials in making an appearance off the bench in the superb 34-16 win over Samoa which propelled Ireland to an unexpected elimination semi-final place.

The former Carlow Crusader is now the sixth specialist prop in the Oldham squad for the 2009 season and will vie for starting spots in the front row with Luke Sutton, Luke Menzies, Paul Highton, Jason Boults and Richard Mervill.




The club will announce season ticket details in tomorrow’s Chronicle.