Greg Inglis is a great signing, but timing just seems wrong - Gareth Ellis

Australia's Greg Inglis, second left, makes a break against Wales. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)Australia's Greg Inglis, second left, makes a break against Wales. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)
Australia's Greg Inglis, second left, makes a break against Wales. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)
For all Greg Inglis’s attacking flair, my most vivid memory of him is his defensive prowess when playing against him for England in a Test match.

He was in the left centre for Australia and I was right second-row. We’d stripped them for numbers a little on our edge and I could sense it happening so I got tipped on the ball and I could feel him coming from the edge to try and shut it down.

The ball was just above my head so I tried to catch and tip on over my head but I remember him coming through my ribs and absolutely smashing me in one of those moments when you don’t feel your breath for about an hour! Obviously, Warrington Wolves have announced they are bringing Inglis out of retirement for the 2021 season and it is a huge signing for them and Super League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There’s good players and then ones like Inglis who can win you games, turn it on at any moment and – what seems almost at will – come up with something special.

When you’re playing against those sorts, it is really frustrating.

Inglis is a cut above and he is freakishly talented; he’s shown that on so many occasions.

In terms of highlight reels he has one of the best I’ve ever seen and, in years to come, people will talk about him as one of the best there’s been.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Talented, strong, quick and big... when you have that going for you you are onto something. It just requires a bit of application and you become as good as he has.

All in all I think it is great for the game. My only concern is I just don’t know about the timing of it. I don’t know what the crack is at Warrington but I was led to believe – like at all clubs during Covid – all members of staff were taking a pay cut.

If you were one of those who has done that and then the club announce a signing like this – I imagine Inglis doesn’t come cheap – it could put some noses out of joint.

People are making sacrifices financially and we do all understand the game needs it. And under any other circumstances I’d be one of the first to applaud this signing. But your club’s suddenly started its recruitment drive mid-pay cut, mid-pandemic and are gloating about signing a player like Inglis, I just felt it was a little bit off.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As for whether he will be a success having retired last April, I don’t think he would have done this if he didn’t think he could.

And putting myself into his shoes I can see why he might feel that way.

For someone like him who has been top of the game for so long, it’s clear he had a few niggles and it might have an effect mentally so it steers you in that direction of hanging the boots up.

But on reflection I was exactly the same; six or 12 months down the line you start to think those little niggles gave healed, mentally you’re in a better place and you start to miss the game and appreciate it for what it was when you were a child.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I can see why this will be a way back into the game for him and a new challenge as well.

It’s not just picking up where he left off last year in the NRL. He gets to do something totally different by coming to Super League which should spark some excitement for him and hopefully for fans over here, too.

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice