Robbie Paul on SLTV

Wednesday 9th September 09

Super League legend Robbie Paul brings the curtain down on the most illustrious of top-flight careers on Friday evening at The Willows as the Reds take on Leeds Rhinos in Robbie’s last Super League game.

Having spent his entire adult life in this country, Robbie has grown to be a true icon of his sport and will head to his new club, Leigh Centurions, and try to help them through their current crisis of relegation to the third tier of the game.

“I’ve got some terrific memories of my career and also of the two years I have spent at Salford City Reds. I’ve played in a lot of finals -- World Cup Finals, Grand Finals,

Challenge Cup Finals -- but the National League Grand Final last year against Celtic Crusaders is in my top three.

Robbie Paul is an absolute icon of Super League and one of the finest put together pieces of work that the game has seen over the last 10 years.

“Everything about that game was great. Taking a good lead, Celtic pegging us back, all the way down to Johnny (Wilshere) kicking that goal to take us into overtime. I remember thinking I didn’t know how the lads were jumping and running around with that trophy because I was destroyed. All I wanted to do was crawl into the showers, but that game has a special part of my memory and is in my top three.”

A man of Robbie’s experience is also a good talent scout and he rates youngsters Stefan Ratchford and Luke Adamson as two to watch in the immediate future.

“Luke’s workrate and defence is world class, especially when you consider how young he is. Stefan is one of those rare players who can make things happen when he has the ball in his hands. That’s why the players all voted him as our player of the year. I’ll definately be keeping my eye on those two.”

“This club is in good hands. All the Australians that came over brought something to the table and they are all word class in their own right. There is a lot of talent out there on the field.”

And with Robbie departing Super League it’s inevitable that the tributes to a phenomenal career pour in.

Former GB and Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble said:”Robbie Paul is an absolute icon of Super League and one of the finest put together pieces of work that the game has seen over the last 10 years. Not just as a talent but as a person and that’s why he will be successful in whatever he goes on to do or wherever he may be.”

Team-mate Rob Parker who spent time playing alongside Robbie at the Bulls and now at the Reds said: “I idolised Robbie Paul as a kid learning the game and he will be a massive loss to the Super League.”

Meanwhile, Warrington-bound Richie Myler drops out of the 19-Man squad to face Leeds Rhinos on Friday. He is replaced by local Academy product Jack Spencer who is looking for his second appearance in a Reds shirt in the last three games.

Reds’ 19-Man squad to face Leeds Rhinos:

Wilshere, Henry, Littler,Parker , McGilvray, Smith, Ratchford, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Sidlow, Swain, Paul, Sibbit, Leuluai, Nash, Fitzpatrick, Spencer