Carney worth every penny, believes Noble

The gifted but controversial stand-off is the competition’s biggest capture ahead of the new season having joined Catalan Dragons on a three-year deal.

Carney, 28, was sacked by Cronulla Sharks last June after an unsavoury photo appeared of him on social media.

He had been fired at previous clubs Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters due to alcohol-related incidents and has only been registered by the RFL under certain conditions surrounding his future behaviour.

Indeed, if those are ever breached, a £50,000 bond is then owed to the governing body, showing the concerns over Carney’s discipline.

However, ex-Great Britain coach Noble, who led Bradford Bulls to five successive Grand Finals between 2001 and 2005, said: “If he stays on the planet he will be Man of Steel in 2015.

“He is simply that good. I promise you if I’d have been coaching and Todd Carney was available I’d have broken the bank for him.

“He’s a super player. Look at every club he’s ever been to. He’s always improved them.

“Carney is a terrific half-back and just what Catalan needed. With Remi Casty and Willie Tonga, too, they have made three great signings.”

Noble, whose last appointment was with Salford last year, is also excited by the prospect of England playing Four Nations champions New Zealand in a three Test series on home soil this autumn.

“We got so close to them and the Aussies last time and we played some great football, too,” he said.

“It should be a brilliant series. If the Kiwis beat us they can be world No 1 – who’d ever have thought that? So they have to bring a strong squad.

“But England really need to get over the line on this one, too, and who wouldn’t want to go watch that series?”