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CURTIS Naughton wanted to play English Super League.
But Bradford, they said no. Told him he wasn’t ready. So the teenage fullback packed his bags, flew halfway around the world and yesterday morning agreed to terms with reigning NRL premiers, the Sydney Roosters.
"This is what I’ve always dreamt about," Naughton told The Daily Telegraph outside Roosters headquarters, moments after his meeting.
"It’s just come about a bit sooner than I expected."
Still only 18, Naughton is already shaping as key member of the Roosters Generation Next.
More than just an extremely gifted athlete, this young Bradford Academy Squad member also boasts the type of confidence required to walk out on the Bulls with two years to run on your contract. Despite initially telling English press he was moving to Australia to follow mum Lynne, who is emigrating here around Christmas, the Dewsbury product yesterday revealed there was more to his decision than just a strong family bond.
onfirming he had fallen out with Bulls coach Francis Cummins, the teen, from the same neighbourhood as the Burgess brothers, said he now wanted the opportunity to forge his own name Down Under.
"Playing in Australia has always been my goal," Naughton said.
"So while I’d signed with the Bulls for three years, when all the stuff started happening I thought to myself 'OK, let’s go now'."
Asked what that "stuff" was, the young gun courted by no less than six NRL clubs continued: "I wasn’t getting played in first grade when I should’ve been.
"They (the coaching staff) had signed me to be part of the full-time squad. But why? They weren’t playing me.
"I didn’t know why last year and I still don’t know because no one ever told me. Plus being stuck in the Academy team, which is like an under 19s competition, it just didn’t feel like my game was improving.
"So I left. I’ll be playing in the Holden Cup next year which I’m really looking forward to because it will be a real step up.
"And from there, I just want to keep improving. I’ve played a game in the English Super League and my goal is definitely the NRL."
Naughton is no stranger to Australia, having holidayed here in 2011 - driving a campervan from Cairns to Melbourne with his brother Daniel, 23, and father Tony.
"Interesting experience,’’ he said with a laugh.
"It was a very small camper so thankfully my brother, my dad and I, we all get on well.
"I come from a big Catholic family which, in the north of England, means you play rugby league. I actually grew up about 10 minutes away from the Burgess brothers.
"They’re a fair bit older than me so by the time I joined the Bradford Academy, Sam had moved on, But the twins were still at the club."
So did the Burgess hype of 2013 play a part in his decision?
"Oh, definitely," Naughton said.
"What they’ve done here with Souths, it’s been massive news back home.
"I’ve been watching all their games on TV and it’s been great to see. It’s all people talk about where I’m from. Watching their success, it helped convince me to make the move myself."
But Bradford, they said no. Told him he wasn’t ready. So the teenage fullback packed his bags, flew halfway around the world and yesterday morning agreed to terms with reigning NRL premiers, the Sydney Roosters.
"This is what I’ve always dreamt about," Naughton told The Daily Telegraph outside Roosters headquarters, moments after his meeting.
"It’s just come about a bit sooner than I expected."
Still only 18, Naughton is already shaping as key member of the Roosters Generation Next.
More than just an extremely gifted athlete, this young Bradford Academy Squad member also boasts the type of confidence required to walk out on the Bulls with two years to run on your contract. Despite initially telling English press he was moving to Australia to follow mum Lynne, who is emigrating here around Christmas, the Dewsbury product yesterday revealed there was more to his decision than just a strong family bond.
onfirming he had fallen out with Bulls coach Francis Cummins, the teen, from the same neighbourhood as the Burgess brothers, said he now wanted the opportunity to forge his own name Down Under.
"Playing in Australia has always been my goal," Naughton said.
"So while I’d signed with the Bulls for three years, when all the stuff started happening I thought to myself 'OK, let’s go now'."
Asked what that "stuff" was, the young gun courted by no less than six NRL clubs continued: "I wasn’t getting played in first grade when I should’ve been.
"They (the coaching staff) had signed me to be part of the full-time squad. But why? They weren’t playing me.
"I didn’t know why last year and I still don’t know because no one ever told me. Plus being stuck in the Academy team, which is like an under 19s competition, it just didn’t feel like my game was improving.
"So I left. I’ll be playing in the Holden Cup next year which I’m really looking forward to because it will be a real step up.
"And from there, I just want to keep improving. I’ve played a game in the English Super League and my goal is definitely the NRL."
Naughton is no stranger to Australia, having holidayed here in 2011 - driving a campervan from Cairns to Melbourne with his brother Daniel, 23, and father Tony.
"Interesting experience,’’ he said with a laugh.
"It was a very small camper so thankfully my brother, my dad and I, we all get on well.
"I come from a big Catholic family which, in the north of England, means you play rugby league. I actually grew up about 10 minutes away from the Burgess brothers.
"They’re a fair bit older than me so by the time I joined the Bradford Academy, Sam had moved on, But the twins were still at the club."
So did the Burgess hype of 2013 play a part in his decision?
"Oh, definitely," Naughton said.
"What they’ve done here with Souths, it’s been massive news back home.
"I’ve been watching all their games on TV and it’s been great to see. It’s all people talk about where I’m from. Watching their success, it helped convince me to make the move myself."
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