IT was the opportunity Steve Snitch had been waiting for. After 11 seasons of playing top-flight rugby league in England at clubs such as Wakefield Trinity, Huddersfield and Castleford, Snitch harboured a desire to test himself in Australia.

For a long time, however, Snitch wasn't sure he would get a chance.

But all that changed when Snitch's former Wakefield teammate Jason Demetriou was appointed coach of the Northern Pride.

Suddenly, the prop/second rower's services were in demand in the southern hemisphere.

"It (playing in Australia) is something that I've always thought about," Snitch said.

"The thing is back home I'd always been in a decent contract, but when this opportunity came up I thought if I didn't do it now I might not get another chance.

"So I'm here."

Snitch arrived in Cairns last Wednesday to start his Pride contract and has settled into his new home.

"The Pride have been really helpful. I've got straight into a job and I've been for a ride around Cairns city and walked down the Esplanade."

But while there's plenty to see and do in the Far North, Snitch isn't here for a holiday.

The 29-year-old was signed to bolster the Pride's forward depth and wants nothing more than to make an impression at Intrust Super Cup level.

"From what I've been told it (the Intrust Super Cup) is just a step down from the NRL," Snitch said. "It's happened that people have been picked to play NRL from the team. That's what you want to be aiming to do." Snitch joined his new teammates at Barlow Park yesterday for the Pride's first official gathering of the pre-season.

Other new signings, including halfback Sam Obst, fullback Jordan Tighe and New Zealand prop Aidan Smith, were also unveiled.

 

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