Taylor Welch has already talked to his new teammates about organising a few speed sessions ahead of next season. And despite having time away from the game, the 30-year-old reckons it has only helped his fitness. The Macquarie recruit, who played one game of English Super League and represented USA at the 2013 World Cup, met fellow Scorpions at a club get together over the weekend. "He [Welch] was talking to a few of the boys about running some speed sessions so he seems keen," Macquarie coach Steve Kidd said. "He's played at a good level, but he hasn't played for a couple of years and he's mindful of that. He reckons he feels fitter now because of that time off resting a couple of injuries." Kidd says Welch can slot in at centre or wing, "adds a bit of pace we didn't have" and helps fill the void left by the retirement of outside back Nathan Cantor. The Scorpions have also added Rob Buaserau (Dapto), Jacob Afflick, Justin Afflick (South Newcastle), Lachlan Bent (Central), Jack Jordan (Parramatta), Matt Moon (Knights under-20s) and Joe Gardiner (Guildford). Daniel Abraham (retired), Jordan Noble (overseas), Adam Grew (Muswellbrook), Randall Briggs (Central) and Isaac Briggs (Cessnock) have left. Pre-season training kicks off on January 7 and Kidd is aiming to get former Knights forward Darren Treacy to assist with their defence. "Bobby [Darren's son] is still with us and I was coached by Darren at Kurri during the 2000s," Kidd said. "He is really good with all the defensive stuff so it will be good to get him in for a few sessions." Liam Higgins looks set to continue as captain and Ben Roose has been cleared following concussion issues throughout 2019. Newcastle Rebels representative winger Matt Hay and fullback Matt Simon remain at the Toronto club while halfback Andy Sumner re-signed on Saturday. The Scorpions open the 2020 season with three away games - Souths, Lakes and Maitland - before arriving back at home against Wests on May 5.
FRESH LEGS: Macquarie Scorpions recruit Taylor Welch playing for the USA against Wales at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. Picture: (Getty Images)
Taylor Welch has already talked to his new teammates about organising a few speed sessions ahead of next season.
And despite having time away from the game, the 30-year-old reckons it has only helped his fitness.
The Macquarie recruit, who played one game of English Super League and represented USA at the 2013 World Cup, met fellow Scorpions at a club get together over the weekend.
"He [Welch] was talking to a few of the boys about running some speed sessions so he seems keen," Macquarie coach Steve Kidd said. "He's played at a good level, but he hasn't played for a couple of years and he's mindful of that. He reckons he feels fitter now because of that time off resting a couple of injuries."
Kidd says Welch can slot in at centre or wing, "adds a bit of pace we didn't have" and helps fill the void left by the retirement of outside back Nathan Cantor.
The Scorpions have also added Rob Buaserau (Dapto), Jacob Afflick, Justin Afflick (South Newcastle), Lachlan Bent (Central), Jack Jordan (Parramatta), Matt Moon (Knights under-20s) and Joe Gardiner (Guildford).
Daniel Abraham (retired), Jordan Noble (overseas), Adam Grew (Muswellbrook), Randall Briggs (Central) and Isaac Briggs (Cessnock) have left.
Pre-season training kicks off on January 7 and Kidd is aiming to get former Knights forward Darren Treacy to assist with their defence.
"Bobby [Darren's son] is still with us and I was coached by Darren at Kurri during the 2000s," Kidd said. "He is really good with all the defensive stuff so it will be good to get him in for a few sessions."
Liam Higgins looks set to continue as captain and Ben Roose has been cleared following concussion issues throughout 2019.
Newcastle Rebels representative winger Matt Hay and fullback Matt Simon remain at the Toronto club while halfback Andy Sumner re-signed on Saturday.
The Scorpions open the 2020 season with three away games - Souths, Lakes and Maitland - before arriving back at home against Wests on May 5.
