Bradford Bulls prop Scruton praises Joseph for making life-changing decision (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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Bradford Bulls prop Nick Scruton praises Phil Joseph for making life-changing decision

7:10am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Ross Heppenstall

Phil Joseph, pictured, sold his Huddersfield bar to have a second crack at the big time in Super League, and it’s paying off says Nick Scruton

New Bulls recruit Phil Joseph has been given a ringing endorsement by Nick Scruton – more than 12 years after the pair played together for England.

Joseph, 26, was handed a one-year deal at Odsal following a successful trial spell during the close-season.

He was playing on a part-time basis for Swinton last year, while running a bar in his home town of Huddersfield, before deciding he wanted a future in Super League.

The prop came through the ranks at Huddersfield Giants before drifting out of the professional ranks and playing for the likes of Swinton, Hull KR, Halifax, Oldham and Swinton again.

Now back in the top flight, Joseph is determined to make his mark and could make his Super League debut for Mick Potter’s side in Sunday’s trip to Castleford.

Scruton said: “Phil’s done a brilliant job for us since he arrived at the club.

“I’ve known him for a long time, having gone on tour with him with England Under-16s for a month to Australia.

“I was 15 at the time and am 27 now, so yes, I’m knocking on a bit!

“But I’m chuffed for Phil that he’s got this chance.

“He had a bar in Huddersfield and said ‘I’m 26 and having a bar isn’t the kind of lifestyle I want as a rugby player’.

“Credit to him; he’s sold his bar, has concentrated on his rugby and it’s showing.”

Joseph featured in all three of the Bulls’ pre-season friendlies against Castleford, Dewsbury and Hull, earning praise from Potter after each game.

Although he was overlooked for last weekend’s Super League opener at home to Catalan Dragons, Joseph is pushing for selection this week.

Scruton added: “I remember speaking to Phil when he first arrived and had his first day of training with us.

“I said ‘are you looking forward to this?’ He replied ‘you don’t often get a second chance like this and I’m going to make the most of it.’ “He really has done as well, and showed the rest of us how to do it.

“I think he was our best front-rower in the pre-season games.

“Like he said himself, you don’t often get a second chance but now he has got it, he’s made the most of it. He’s buzzing round in training every day.”

Scruton, meanwhile, said the Bulls are working hard to put things right at Castleford this weekend after the emphatic defeat at the hands of Catalan.

He added: “Nobody was more disappointed than us with our performance against Catalan but we need to learn from our mistakes and right the wrongs this week against Cas.”

Meanwhile, the RFL’s match-review panel have issued a formal caution to Jamie Langley for tripping Catalan scrum-half Scott Dureau during Sunday’s defeat.

Comments(23)

murphyslaw says...
8:37am Wed 8 Feb 12

Scruton said: “Phil’s done a brilliant job for us since he arrived at the club.
This says everything about the club right now. To call him brilliant or even suggest hes done a brilliant job is rediculous. He's a part timer from the National League who has shone in our pack, that's what should be telling us something.