STRANGE RUGBY SWITCH
St George Illawarra backrower Jake Marketo has left the NRL for a shock code switch.
Market Watch can reveal the 28-year-old is playing union in Romania.
After eight years with the club, Marketo was not offered a new deal and moved to the other side of the world, linking with the Timișoara Saracens in the top tier rugby competition CEC Bank SuperLiga.
“I felt I needed a change due to the draining season I had personally,” Marketo told
Market Watch.
“I am not here to bad mouth anyone but coming off practically two full seasons (2015-16) of first grade, to not getting a look in was tough.
Jake Marketo of the Dragons tackled just short of the tryline.Source: News Corp Australia
“The opportunity to get as far away as possible, play another sport and live on the other side of the world is a challenge in itself but I thought why not?
“I am a big believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’ and the timing of this was perfect for me and a great thing to develop myself not only as a union player but as a person.”
Marketo made his NRL debut with the Dragons back in 2010 and while he plays backrow, he can also cover lock and hooker.
In rugby, he’s playing centre but hasn’t ruled out a rugby league return in the future.
“I’ll try my hand and see where it takes me and if I get another opportunity to go play in another country I’d look into it,” he said.
“If something from league came my way I’d look at it but time will tell but I am really enjoying it.”
Jake Marketo during the City training.Source: News Corp Australia
After 51 NRL games, Marketo leaves with three career highlights.
The first was his NRL debut, the next was making 50 top flight games and thirdly earning a rep jumper with City this year.
“The club itself is who I always wanted to play for as I was born in Wollongong,” he said.
“To come through SG Ball, through 20s, reggies (and) then play grade is something that I am proud of and to say I played grade for the Dragons is pretty special to me.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/3cba59ce98d2da26b9145f4caa221e19