Hull forward Mark O'Meley happy to have abandoned Australia for England

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 05:56 EST, 3 February 2010

Former Australia Test forward Mark O'Meley believes he has already been vindicated in deciding to move to the Engage Super League.

The 28-year-old has joined Hull on a three-year contract after spells with Canterbury and Sydney, and has been heralded as being one of the missing pieces in coach Richard Agar's jigsaw.

A move to England is often seen as something to do at the end of your career amongst Australian players, but O'Meley is confident he has made the right decision at the right time.

'From what I've seen already, I've got no qualms with what we have got here,'
said O'Meley.

'The squads aren't as big or as deep as they are in Australia, but the skill level of the players and the attitudes they have got are just as good. I've certainly got no regrets about being here.

'I've had a good start with a couple of trial games and I'm pretty confident that my game will suit the style that is played over here, maybe even more than it did back in Australia.'

O'Meley has been joined at the KC Stadium by former team-mate and Sydney stalwart Craig Fitzgibbon.

The pair have been almost inseparable since moving to England in November, a move that O'Meley feels has helped them to settle into a new way of life.

'Often when a player comes to England from Australia they don't do it until the middle of January,' he said.

'I don't see how you can get ready for the season in the space of three weeks, it just can't happen.

'Me and Fitz have been here for three months and it has been great. We've got settled in, got to know everyone and we're ready to go.'

Nicknamed the Ogre because of his physique, O'Meley, along with Fitzgibbon and fellow recruits Sean Long and Jordan Turner will make his Hull debut against St
Helens in Saturday's opener and believes that his new side could not have a better start to the season.

'They've been one of the best teams over the last 10 years so it will be the best possible test for us,' O'Meley said.

'They have won everything there is to win and we feel ready to go out there and test ourselves against them.

'It will be a good yardstick of where we're at and what sort of form we are in. We have had a couple of trial games, but the best way to judge your form is to get out there on the field and show what you can do.'

HUDDERSFIELD have given utility forward Larne Patrick a two-year contract
extension which will keep him with the Giants until the end of the 2012 season.

The 21-year-old England Academy international made just seven appearances in
his first season with the Giants in 2009 but is hoping for a place in Huddersfield's side for Friday's opening Super League match against Bradford at the Galpharm Stadium.