KEVIN SINFIELD is itching to make his first appearance for Yorkshire Carnegie after surprisingly switching rugby codes at the age of 35.
The Grotton-based Sinfield, one of Rugby League’s most decorated players, has signed an 18-month contract with Leeds Rhino’s sister club.
And as he learns what attributes are needed to become a fly half, Sinfield is looking forward his new career move after almost two weeks of training as he explained: “It’s been really enjoyable and everything I thought the challenge would be.
“It’s been very challenging and very difficult, but hopefully it won’t be too long before I get to have a run.
“It depends on how quickly I pick up the game because I don’t know how difficult the transition will be. That is part of the challenge.”
Sinfield added that a couple of dates have been pencilled in towards the end of November for his debut.
Since announcing earlier this year he was switching codes, Sinfield says he has been studying Rugby Union by attending Yorkshire Carnegie games and watching DVDs.
“The beauty of the move is that it came in the year the Rugby Union World Cup took place so I was able to watch a lot of games in that tournament,” he said.
“I did as much as I could without impacting on my Rugby League. That would have been unfair.”
Sinfield officially joined Carnegie on November 1, just over three weeks after he finished his illustrious career with the perfect ending to his Rhino’s career as his last-ever match was a dramatic 22-20 win against Wigan Warriers as he kicked the decisive goal to give his side victory.
That helped Rhino’s complete a treble of Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final in one season, something Leeds had never achieved. Indeed, it had only been done twice previously in the Super League that began in 2003.
Sinfield, who joined Rhino’s as a schoolboy in 1994 and captained them to multiple pieces of silverware, said: “It was awesome to finish by winning the treble, absolutely unbelievable.
“When I came to Leeds as a 13-year-old, I could only pinch myself to think I would still be at the club 22 years later and incredible the success the club has achieved.”
There has been seven Grand Final wins, three League Leaders’ Shields, three World Club Challenge and two Challenge Cups in 2014 and 15 having previously lost in five finals.
Sinfield, who largely played stand-off at Rugby League, will be fly half for his new team as it is a position similar in many aspects.
“There will be difficulties such as learning how to manage the game, but that is something I cannot wait to get my teeth into,” he explained.
Sinfield revealed he was first approached to play Rugby Union in 2002.
“There have been several other offers. I have always been happy to stay in Rugby League, though I always had a desire to play Rugby Union.
“I didn’t think I would be doing it when I reached the age of 32/33/34, but after winning the Challenge Cup for the first time in August 2014 (the one honour that had eluded him in his illustrious career), I thought it was now or never.
“I had retired from international Rugby League and had time to think where my career would take me. And when another approach was made, it fitted in nicely this time.”
While Sinfied has signed an initial 18-month deal, he says he would consider a further year assuming he remains healthy.
And he says helping Carnegie win promotion to the Aviva Premiership is his goal.
He said: “I want to play against teams like Bath, Saracens and Leicester and test myself against the best.
“The beauty of joining a team in the Championship is that I will probably get more game time than if I was learning the game at a club already in the Premiership.”
Sinfield added it has been strange moving as the only two clubs he has ever player for has been Waterhead as a junior and Leeds Rhino’s as a professional.
He said: “It has been quite emotional as I was at Rhino’s since I was aged 13, made friendships and spent lots of special times at the club.
“It is difficult to move away, though it is only to the next dressing room and I will still be playing my rugby at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.
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