Nanyn happy to have Super League chance

EXCITED: Mick Nanyn is looking forward to his new Super League test after signing for Harlequins.

MICK Nanyn believes he had no choice but to take up the Harlequins challenge.

The 26-year-old centre secured a one-year deal with the Super League club late last week, giving him a first-ever taste of action in the game's top division.

It means he won't be around for a potential National League One campaign with the Roughyeds in 2009, should the club achieve promotion.

But Nanyn — now fit and ready for action after having a problem thumb removed from plaster — remains as keen as ever to end the current season on a high, in order to wipe memories of Grand Final defeats of the past.

"It is a massive move for me and one that I have been looking for around five or six years now," said Nanyn, who has scored 346 points for Oldham so far in 2008.

"I can't wait. As much as some people think I have turned down Super League offers in the past it isn't really the case. I have only had a couple of chances and they fell away for different reasons.

"This time I have been able to take the chance and it is something that I feel I need to have a real go at.

"At the end of the day, it is every player's dream to play Super League.

"Moving down there means a lifestyle change as much as anything and that is something I spoke to (Quins coach) Brian McDermott about. I am looking forward to it. It is a challenge in life as well as in rugby.

"At the same time, there is nobody that wants to win the Grand Final more than me.

"I have lost four times in National League One finals so I know exactly how it feels. I don't want it to happen again.

"The aim when I came to the club was to get out of National League Two and we have got the opportunity to do that on a big stage."

A host of new faces have signed to play under McDermott for next season, including Wakefield forward Jason Golden, Manly forward Luke Williamson, Leeds Rhinos hooker Ben Kaye and Luke Dorn, who rejoins Quins following stints at Salford and Castleford.

Nanyn, who is hoping to be named in the final Scotland squad for the forthcoming World Cup at the season's end, will also face a new Harlequins team mate in Luke Gale this weekend.

The Doncaster stand-off, on loan from Leeds, has been in outstanding form for Ellery Hanley's side this year. The 20-year-old has scored a club record 27 tries, including a crucial effort in the recent 18-10 home win over the Roughyeds.

But with the players having had three weeks without a match following the final game of the season against Workington, Nanyn is confident there will be enough juice in the Oldham tank to overcome the Dons.

"They are a decent side as they showed when they turned us over at their place," he said.

"It will be a tough one, as any game is when you get to this stage of the season.

"Looking at our squad, we have had a lot of players turning out with injuries and I don't think the break we have had between games will do us any harm.

"Hopefully we will have enough to get past them on the day."