Tony off to England
by Raymond Burnett
Thursday May 13, 2004
Source: www.broncos.com.au

Talented 23 year old New Zealand test utility player Motu Tony has decided to further his career by going to England and in a surprise move Tony approached Wayne Bennett with a substantial offer from England that would secure his families future.

Tony joined the Brisbane Broncos in the off season for opportunities to not only secure a starting spot in an NRL side but the chance for a premiership and certainly impressed the Broncos and Wayne Bennett in the first two rounds with his impressive agility, speed and skills, but an unfortunate knee injury and the rise of 17 year old fullback Karmichael Hunt set back his chance to impress the Broncos and earn a spot in the starting 13.

Motu Tony who was contracted to play till the end of the season with the Broncos was offered a substantial contract opportunity in England and sought the approval of Wayne Bennett for permission to take up this opportunity. Bennett would not stand in the way of this opportunity if he decided to take up the offer and permission was given.

“The decision was made in the best interests of my family – there was nothing else behind it,” Tony said.

“I have loved Brisbane since I arrived, but the offer to go to England gave me and my family the security I have been looking for. Wayne and the club here understood that and for that I am really grateful.”

Tony has not spoken to NZRL in regards to what playing in England will mean for his representative opportunities but his priority will be with his English club.

“I didn’t even think about Test football when I made the decision to leave,” he said.

“My club pays me and I have a job to do for them. 

“As I have said, my family is my number one priority and if providing the best possible lifestyle for them means giving up playing Test football than so be it.”

Tony would also like to point out that the decision to leave the Broncos was made before the injuries to key players Darren Lockyer, Brett Seymour and Brett Seymour and didn't influence his decision to leave the club

“The club has looked after me since I arrived from New Zealand and I don’t like leaving while there are so many injury problems,” he said.

“But when I made the decision the boys were travelling smoothly and I can’t go back on my word now.

“I just have to thank everyone from the fans to the staff and of course all the players.  Everyone has been great to me and I have loved my time at the Broncos.  I have learnt a lot about myself and about the game and I will look back on my time here really positively.”