Cross and Cahill pen Widnes deals
Widnes Vikings today announced new signings Ben Cross and Hep Cahill, as the squad-strengthening process for their Super League future continues.
Ben Cross and Hep Cahill have both put pen to paper on deals which are subject to a medical and receiving the necessary work permits, and these new signings are in addition to the club having already secured the services of current first-teamers’ Paddy Flynn, Steve Pickersgill and Ben Kavanagh.
Ben Cross is a former Grand Final winner with Melbourne Storm, and has also played State of Origin rugby for New South Wales. Cross made his debut in the NRL with Canberra Raiders in 2003 and twice represented New South Wales in 2008. After spending the next two seasons at Newcastle Knights, Cross took up a contract with Leeds Rhinos in 2011.
At 32, Betts is keen to state that the prop still has plenty to offer and he is delighted to have got his man ahead of many other clubs who were just as keen to secure the services of the vastly experienced Australian on a one-year contract; “Ben will bring a massive appetite for work and an enormous amount of enthusiasm with him, in both a playing and mentoring capacity.
“He’s determined to play in Super League and his age dictates that he’s motivated and ready to kick on for the duration of his one-year contract and I’ve no doubt whatsoever that he’ll give us the experience up-front that we’ll need when we’re back in the top flight.
“For the likes of Ben Kavanagh and the other young front- rowers at the club to work alongside someone of his pedigree and experience will be invaluable and can only benefit them. Not only does he have a fantastic work ethic and comes highly recommended from the NRL competition in Australia, but he’s also got a point to prove too, which makes it all the more exciting to have him here.”
24 year-old second row Hep Cahill spent two seasons at Melbourne Storm in the NRL and enjoyed success in the World Club Challenge competition in 2010 against Leeds Rhinos, before joining Crusaders in 2011.
Hep has signed a three-year deal and will bring a whole array of attributes to the club, as Betts explains; “Hep fits the bill entirely, comes with a great pedigree and has been well educated through his time at a really strong environment in Melbourne.
“He’s already an outstanding young player with a tremendous appetite for work but there’s still bags of unfulfilled potential in him, and as pleased as we are to be welcoming him here, he’s just as excited about joining a club that can put a platform in place to help him excel even further”