Joel Monaghan is bracing himself for a barrage of abuse when he debuts for Warrington on Sunday.
Warrington new boy relishing chance for fresh start
Australian Joel Monaghan is expecting a barrage of abuse when he makes his first appearance for Warrington in Sunday's pre-season friendly at Leigh.
The 28-year-old three-quarter was forced to quit his home-town club Canberra Raiders after eight years as a result of a drunken incident at an end-of-season party.
Monaghan, who played for the Kangaroos in the 2008 World Cup final, went into hiding during November after the publication on the internet of a lewd photograph and admitted he thought it could have cost him his career.
"It was the worst time of my life," said Monaghan when he addressed the British media for the first time at Warrington's pre-season media day.
"I didn't turn the internet on or read a paper for about two months. It was a pretty dark time. The hardest thing was seeing the family dragged down as well.
"In a way it was good that I got to warn the family. I sat them down and rang my grandparents, which was the hardest thing I've had to do. I never slept for a week. It was obviously a rough time.
"That first week I thought it could have been it so to get the opportunity to come over here and play with my brother and play in a great team shows there is light at the end of the tunnel."
Ambition
Monaghan was courted by a host of Super League clubs once he signalled his intention to head to Europe and he was close to signing for Catalans Dragons.
But the prospect of fulfilling a long-held ambition to play alongside older brother Michael, the Warrington half-back or hooker, swayed his final decision and he has signed a 12-month contract with the Challenge Cup holders.
"That was massive," he said. "I always wanted to come over, this is a bit earlier than anticipated.
"We promised dad that we'd play together one day and the big fella never stopped grinning for three days when I told him I'd signed.
"He couldn't be happier and he and mum have already planned their trip over here this year."
Monaghan, who arrived back from a Christmas break in Australia to join the Wolves on a week-long training camp in Tenerife, was registered with the Rugby Football League today and will make his first appearance on English soil in Sunday's friendly at Leigh, along with fellow newcomer Brett Hodgson.
He has been warned to what to expect from the Leigh fans and has already experienced some friendly jibes from his new team-mates.
"There were a few jokes which should probably stay in house," he revealed. "Having Mick here, they didn't get too bad.
"I'm the type of bloke who likes to have a joke and muck around. I've copped a bit of flak but it's all right as long as you can give it back as well.
"Mick says the English fans are probably the toughest. He said 'you're going to have to experience a lot' but I'm big enough. I know it's going to happen so I've got my head around that.
"The best thing about coming over here is that you get to play pretty much straight away. I'm a footie player and I can't wait to get started. If you are playing good footie, it's water off a duck's back.
"It happens a bit back in Australia. I'm the type of player that thrives on it. You hear some stuff in the crowd and I laugh to myself and say that's pretty good.
"You take it with a grain of salt. If they're real good ones, I'll have a chuckle."
Honest
Warrington head coach Tony Smith is hoping the banter will be good natured but believes his new signing is mature enough not to allow any taunts to affect his rugby.
"He's an honest young man who got caught out skylarking in a pretty embarrassing way," said Smith.
"He's put his hand up and you get on with it. All he can do is get on with his life and get on with playing some good rugby.
"Rugby league fans are usually pretty good. Most of it is light-hearted and good-natured and he's expecting that. He'll let his rugby league doing his talking and he'll probably have a smile or a laugh with some of the jokes.
"We don't have too many issues with our spectators over-stepping the mark."
