Oldham in swoop for young Rhino

ROUGHYEDS have snapped up Leeds Rhinos youngster Joe Chandler in a move that is being described as “a real coup” for the Co-operative Championship One club.

The fourth close-season signing stemming from the restructuring of Super League’s Senior Academy rugby to an under-20s competition, Chandler is said to be a 21-year-old back row forward with plenty of potential.

He joins other top-flight youngsters Danny Whitmore from Salford City Reds, Ben Mellor from Warrington Wolves and Kashley Watkins from Leeds as players out to make names for themselves in the professional game under Roughyeds coach Tony Benson.

“They all have good skills, good habits and an exuberance which has already led to them making a major impact on training sessions,” said Roughyeds chief Chris Hamilton of his young crop.

“They are all very keen to impress and it is refreshing to see them so enthusiastic and so intense about everything they do.

“Joe, for example, is extremely thorough and very professional. He is currently on rehab after a clean-out of a knee and he is meticulous in his desire to do everything right in order to speed his recovery. He is raring to go.

“He is a player both Tony Benson and I were very eager to get on board.”

Chandler, who has signed a one-year deal, was chased by other clubs before deciding to come to Oldham.

The Dewsbury-born player has first-team experience at Headingley, making his Super League debut when the Rhinos fielded 13 players from their Academy ranks due to injuries and international call-ups yet still defeated Castleford 18-12 in June, 2008.

Chandler had been promoted to the first-team squad near the start of that season, but was not offered a first-team contract.

His arrival at Oldham could be down to Kiwi connections. His manager is former New Zealand national boss Frank Endacott and he is said to be rated highly by the Rhinos’ Kiwi coach Brian McLennan, who has worked with Benson at club level in Auckland.

The number of first-team players contracted to the Roughyeds for 2010 now numbers 20, comprising 12 men who have stayed on from last season, the four signings from Super League clubs, new men Valu Bentley and Dave Ellison and the two second-year professionals who will have first-team squad numbers.