James Maloney ready to wow at Catalans ahead of Israel Folau arrival
ISRAEL Folau is expected to arrive at Catalans Dragons in the coming days – but may find the smile wiped from even James Maloney’s face.
The controversial ace’s one-year deal has been met with a furious backlash, with the Perpignan-based club, the Rugby Football League and Super League all being hammered.
With Folau's first game in England perhaps coming as soon as at Wakefield next Sunday, the switch has overshadowed the arrival of a great in Maloney.
And the storm may have been enough to make the joker’s face serious.
New South Wales scrum-half Maloney is one of the biggest comedians in the game, as Sonny Bill Williams found out when he met his former team-mate at Super League’s launch.
He said of the Toronto Wolfpack new boy: “I remember the last time he left he said he'd never come back to league because in rugby union he can make seven tackles and that's in a big game.
“Now he's got to come back, play in the back-row, make 15 hit-ups and 25 tackles but I guess when that kind of pay cheque is thrown at you forget about all that contact.”
Maloney admits there are some things he has got to get used to now he is in the south of France but he revealed a mix-up over the language, which he claimed saw him emerge with a packet of condoms instead of cold medication did not actually happen.
The 34-year-old did however seek the advice of Sydney Roosters boss Trent Robinson, who coached Catalans in 2011 and 2012, before heading over.
One thing he still struggles with, though, is seeing everywhere closed on a Sunday, which he will experience after facing Huddersfield today.
Maloney, who even has boss Steve McNamara worried at what he will say, especially when it comes to the boss’ recent knee operation, told SunSport: “I’ve not got used to that, I’ve been caught out a few times.
“On a Saturday, you think, ‘I’ll just duck out and get something to eat on Sunday,’ but everything is closed. I’ve got to be mindful of it.
“They’re not going to die of stress the Frenchies! It’s a very laid back lifestyle. It’s a lovely part of the world and I can understand why so many players have moved there from Australia.
“As soon as I signed, I called Trent and spoke to him. My wife and I caught up with him and sat for a couple of hours about it.
“I value his opinion and he knows Catalans really well, it’s only when you get there you realise how passionate the Catalan people are.
“Moving to the other side of the world with four kids has its challenges. The kids have all started at a local school, so it’s all in French and there have been a few teething problems. It hasn’t been as tough as we thought it would be, though.
“But if I’m honest, there wasn’t much truth to the chemist story, it was more of a laugh. It went crazy but I’m pretty excited to learn French, I’ve an ambition to get good at it.
“The club lays on classes but I’m also thinking of getting a home tutor. My wife has one but she can only do mornings when I’m training – within six to 12 months I hope to be able to hold a decent conversation.”
