RUGBY UNION
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ORANGE Emus' loss is Warringah's gain with flanker John Carberry and scrum-half Will Leader linking with the Sydney club.
Carberry has signed with Warringah after starting training with the Rats before Christmas.
The NSW Country representative had been approached by a number of Sydney clubs but chose Warringah so he could move in November and get his family settled.
"They didn't muck me around," Carberry said. "I wanted to move in November to start December training. It's a good club. We've been training for the last seven weeks. They're a good bunch of blokes."
Warringah general manager Mark Dickens said the club was also keen to keep Leader on its books.
"We would like him to come and play. He will play all the trial games. He has a good attitude," Dickens said but added no signature had changed hands.
Carberry is pushing for the open side flanker position in Waringah's premiership side and Leader has been training in the half position and Dickens said both are a chance of being regulars in the first XV.
"John Carberry plays in a position where there are a few players but no one really stood up last year," Dickens said.
"They're young guys and he's got that bit of experience. Our forwards are our strength at the moment so he would play in a very good pack.
"Will, we have got some good players in his position and they're all comparable so it would come down to who performs on the day as well as commitment to training and attitude. We know he's a good player. We're confident both will figure in the top grade this year at some stage."
New Zealand-born Carberry recognises the work he has to do to earn a place in the club's first XV but that is what he is aiming for.
"There are a lot of good players here," Carberry said.
"Once the season starts I'll find out. My goal for this season is to see how far I can get."
The Premiership Rugby season will start on April 17 and Warringah will play pre-season matches on March 20, 27 and April 3.
For now Carberry is adjusting to living in Sydney and the facilities offered at the Sydney club.
"It's good to have so many professionals around," Carberry said.
"The doctors and physios come to training so if you have a niggling injury you can see them there."
Leader sat most of the 2003 Central West season out after injuring his shoulder in the first round last year.
He returned to the field during the second half of Emus' elimination final loss to Bathurst.
