Former Great Britain centre Keith Senior has revealed his fury at the
decision of his future club Crusaders to pull out of Super League.
The 35-year-old had signed a two-year contract with the Welsh outfit after 12 years with Leeds Rhinos.
The
veteran, whose current season has been ended by a knee injury, now
faces an uncertain future after it was announced on Tuesday the Welsh
club had withdrawn their Super League licence application.
Senior tweeted: “Crusaders have just f***** me over what a b*****d joke, excuse my language I’m absolutely furious.”
Senior’s outburst reflects the surprise with which the announcement by the RFL has taken the whole sport.
Wrexham-based
Crusaders have had a difficult three years in Super League but were
widely expected to be retained in the competition at the expense of
Wakefield.
The RFL say they were informed only last night of
Crusaders’ withdrawal, just before they themselves were to decide which
13 clubs would join Widnes in the 14-team top division for 2012-14.
As
well as signing Senior, Crusaders had also tied Wales rugby union
legend Gareth Thomas to a new contract with South Sydney backrower
Shannan McPherson also left in limbo after agreeing to move to the club
for next season.
Crusaders chief executive Rod Findlay said:
“This has not been an easy decision but after a lengthy and exhaustive
examination of the club’s finances, our view is that Crusaders is not
sustainable as a Super League club at this stage.”
The
development will also raise question marks over the futures of other
notable players such as Michael Witt and former Penrith playmaker Jarrod
Sammut, as well as coach Iestyn Harris.
