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here is the article:
Bailey becomes a Warrior
17may06
SHARKS player Phil Bailey will join Trent Barrett at English Super League club Wigan next year, the former Australia Test utility signing a three-year deal.
Bailey, 25, said the offer was too attractive to refuse.
"It gives me a chance to extend my career in the UK," he said.
"Wigan have struggled this year so it's also an exciting challenge, trying to help them climb back up towards the top of the English Super League."
Sharks chief executive Greg Pierce said the NRL salary cap had prevented the club from matching the Warriors' offer.
"The offer was certainly substantial and, with our salary cap restraints, (it) was one we couldn't hope to match," Pierce said.
"If there is a positive, though, it means we can use the extra money available under the cap to upgrade contracts and retain some of the exceptional young talent we have at the club.
"We had an understanding that if he got a deal from overseas then we'd let him go.
"He's leaving on very good terms and he's pretty hell bent on finishing off this year in good style.
"From our point of view, it just changes our landscape a bit.
"We can get out in the market place, which is good.
"He is a big loss - you don't replace guys like Bails overnight - but it maybe opens up a door for us to chance somebody else."
Sharks coach Stuart Raper, a former Wigan coach, understood that Bailey was seeking new experiences.
"After speaking to Bails, I fully understand his desire to travel overseas and to also test himself in a different competition," Raper said.
Bailey has played 119 NRL games, 95 for the Sharks after joining the club from the Northern Eagles in 2002.
He played three State of Origin matches for New South Wales and two Tests for Australia in 2003.
Earlier this month, St George-Illawarra and NSW pivot Trent Barrett announced that he would move to Wigan after the 2006 NRL season.
Bailey becomes a Warrior
17may06
SHARKS player Phil Bailey will join Trent Barrett at English Super League club Wigan next year, the former Australia Test utility signing a three-year deal.
Bailey, 25, said the offer was too attractive to refuse.
"It gives me a chance to extend my career in the UK," he said.
"Wigan have struggled this year so it's also an exciting challenge, trying to help them climb back up towards the top of the English Super League."
Sharks chief executive Greg Pierce said the NRL salary cap had prevented the club from matching the Warriors' offer.
"The offer was certainly substantial and, with our salary cap restraints, (it) was one we couldn't hope to match," Pierce said.
"If there is a positive, though, it means we can use the extra money available under the cap to upgrade contracts and retain some of the exceptional young talent we have at the club.
"We had an understanding that if he got a deal from overseas then we'd let him go.
"He's leaving on very good terms and he's pretty hell bent on finishing off this year in good style.
"From our point of view, it just changes our landscape a bit.
"We can get out in the market place, which is good.
"He is a big loss - you don't replace guys like Bails overnight - but it maybe opens up a door for us to chance somebody else."
Sharks coach Stuart Raper, a former Wigan coach, understood that Bailey was seeking new experiences.
"After speaking to Bails, I fully understand his desire to travel overseas and to also test himself in a different competition," Raper said.
Bailey has played 119 NRL games, 95 for the Sharks after joining the club from the Northern Eagles in 2002.
He played three State of Origin matches for New South Wales and two Tests for Australia in 2003.
Earlier this month, St George-Illawarra and NSW pivot Trent Barrett announced that he would move to Wigan after the 2006 NRL season.
