BRADFORD Bulls have stepped in to give former Australia Test forward Steve Menzies the opportunity to end his glittering career as a Super League player.
The 34-year-old back row has agreed a one-year contract with Bradford and will join them at the end of the season after completing his commitments with Manly, the club he has served for the last 16 years.
Menzies is Bradford's first recruit for 20
09 and coach Steve McNamara brushed aside worries over the player's age.
"He is an absolute legend of the game in Australia, a proven winner who, despite his age, is still playing week in and week out for the top side in the NRL," said McNamara.
"He will be a huge asset for this organisation, both on and off the field, and certainly with regards to the young players who will undoubtedly learn from his experience."
With 171 tries from his 338 games, Menzies is second in the all-time list in Australia. He played 20 times for New South Wales in State of Origin and won 15 caps for Australia.
Leeds Rhinos have agreed new five-year contracts with four of the club's brightest young players. Teenagers Danny Allan, Ben Jones-Bishop, Paul McShane and Kallum Watkins have all agreed new deals that will see them become full-time members of the first team squad and keep them at Headingley Carnegie until at least the end of the 2012 season.
Featherstone Rovers have signed Hull back row Matty Dale on loan until the end of the season. Dale, 21, will join his former Hull team-mate Anthony Thackeray, who joined Featherstone on-loan from Castleford in midweek, in the squad for Sunday's home match against Salford (5.00).
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