O’Donnell arrives in Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants star recruit Luke O’Donnell has arrived in England and insists he can’t wait to pull on the claret and gold jersey.
The Australian International back-row forward arrives on a three year deal from NRL side North Queensland Cowboys and is expected to add some extra steel to an already formidable looking Giants pack.
Having jetted into the country on Saturday, O’Donnell met his team mates for the first time on Monday was involved in pre-season training from the off.
He told giantsrl.com that he was delighted to arrive: “It’s great to be here! My first thoughts are that it seems to be a nice place and I’m really glad to have arrived. It’s good to meet the guys and they seem a really decent bunch, they have been really welcoming to me and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. My first impressions have been great, the Galpharm Stadium is really impressive and it seems to be a really great set up at the club. I can’t wait to work hard in pre-season and pull on the jersey when the opportunity presents.”
O’Donnell arrives as a regular in the Australia and New South Wales set-up’s since he signed with the Cowboys in 2004 and has earned the reputation as a fearsome competitor.
The 30 year old insists he will be looking to give his all from the off and won’t be looking to alter the style that he has enjoyed success with.
“I guess at first I’ll be trying to get used to the environment and find my place within the team, I bring an aggressive style of football both in attack and in defence and I enjoy getting involved. I would imagine Browny will find me a role in the team that will get the best out of me, as long as I can put my best foot forward for the team and have a good start in the opening game then I will be happy.
The classy back-row star signed back in July, sourcing advice on the move from former NRL team mate David Faiumu, who helped convince him that the Galpharm Stadium was the place to be;
“I was off contract and the opportunity came along for me to come over to England and play football, which was always something I thought I would do in my career. I’m 30 years old now and was lucky enough to sign a three year deal, everything fell into place with me with the Giants and I’m pleased to have joined a good team and a good coach in Nathan Brown. It’s a really good fit for me.
“I didn’t know too much about the place but I spoke to Browny a fair few times during the negotiations and I was also lucky enough to have played with David Faiumu for three years at the Cowboys so he gave me some insight into the place and some good reports. I kept an eye on the Giants as soon as I signed in mid-season through the clubs website and keeping up to date on progress, which obviously towards the end of the year was all positive.
“I definitely see the Giants as a club on the rise; we seem to have a really good mix of young players and experienced professionals, much the same as the Cowboys side that I joined back in 2004.”
Despite his delight at having arrived at his new place of work, O’Donnell admitted that the climate change from Townsville to Huddersfield may take some getting used too;
“I’ve just flown in from North Queensland, which is around 30/40c every day so there is a big difference and a bit of a shock. I’ve heard that there might be a bit of snow around at some point which I’m not looking forward too much but its all good fun, I just need to buy myself a pair of gloves!”