Souths sign Ex-eel

http://www.nrl.com/news/news/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/58992/souths-sign-prop-stapleton/default.aspx

Depleted South Sydney have signed their second prop this week, drafting journeyman Craig Stapleton into the NRL club's ranks.

The former St George Illawarra, Parramatta, Penrith and Cronulla forward, who also played for two clubs in the UK, will jump straight from the Wollongong competition to the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium this Sunday.

The 31-year-old has been playing with Illawarra club Wests but is likely to be on the Rabbitohs' bench for their clash with Brisbane.

Third-placed Souths are reeling under the weight of injury suspension and representative duty, with nine forwards unavailable.

The latest to be ruled out were in-form hooker Issac Luke, who was suspended for a late hit on North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston on Wednesday night, and injured back-rower Eddy Pettybourne (jaw).

They signed another NRL discard, Jaiman Lowe, on Monday to help fill the gap but he is also serving a suspension.

"Craig will add depth to our forward stocks for the rest of 2010 and will help galvanise our forward pack with his tough style of play," Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said in a statement.

"He has a high work-rate and doesn't shirk any of the hard work.

"He has shown he can play at the top level and we're looking forward to having him assist our charge towards the finals this year."

Stapleton played 105 NRL games and 52 English Super League matches after debuting for St George in 1998.

In 2006, he was selected in the 2006 Prime Minister's XIII to play Papua New Guinea and the Kangaroos train-on squad.

He won English club Salford's player of the year award in 2008 and 2009.

"The games we really need to win are bunnies, cowboys and knights. That should be plenty to avoid the spoon. Rest just put up a fight against must stronger sides "

"Fair enough, Joash seems like a talent. I guess it comes down to fitting all the pieces into place.That comes down to trusting the coach, feel more comfortable with him then BA. 40 years next year but it's like driving on a highway facing east pre…"

Replies

Johnny Suede June 10, 2010 at 6:06pm

So he's old, been dumped by multiple clubs and no one's ever heard of him! Buy of the century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go the Rabbits.
big black guy June 10, 2010 at 6:14pm

LMAO , omg i cant beleive this, worst signing of the year!
Groundy June 10, 2010 at 6:16pm

I remember the name but believe he was pretty crap
2m55ehehnnw5k June 10, 2010 at 6:38pm

who cares
eels fan forever June 10, 2010 at 6:39pm

he was shit anyway
iamnot June 10, 2010 at 6:49pm

i actually didn't mind him. he wasn't all that flash, but he played with heart for the club
timbodavo June 10, 2010 at 7:08pm

he was alrite, nothing special but always got the job done
timbodavo June 10, 2010 at 7:08pm

but who really cares
Tinkerbell June 10, 2010 at 9:41pm

Good for Craig Stapleton!

He never setthe world on fire at Parramatta, in fact, I can barely remember him, but I am glad he gets another shot in the NRL.

I might even watch him out of interest this weekend. : )
- Kurupt > Tinkerbell June 11, 2010 at 3:59pm
  
  He actually wasn't that bad a player, the team dynamic was pretty shit, it was a year where Brian Smith decided that big was the way to go and bought a bunch of second hand big men, but 'the big is better' didn't work out the way he was hoping.
  Stapleton showed a lot of heart and always gave his best.