Toronto Wolfpack sign New Zealand international back Chase Stanley

TORONTO — The Toronto Wolfpack, continuing their roster upgrade in their bid for promotion to the Super League, have signed New Zealand international back Chase Stanley.

The 28-year-old Australian, whose rugby league career has been interrupted by injury, last played for the Canterbury Bulldogs. He also spent time in Australia’s NRL with St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm.

“Chase is a welcome addition to the team and adds real quality to our backline options,” Toronto coach Paul Rowley said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with Chase and excited to see him play in our colours. He’s a fantastic player and a quality person who has worked within some first class environments so we’re looking forward to him getting started.”

Stanley, who made his debut for the Dragons in 2007, has more than 100 NRL appearances. There would have been far more had it not been for four shoulder and two knee surgeries.

It took him nearly a decade to mark his 100th appearance and he was forced to leave that game, in April 2016, with a hamstring injury, with TV footage showing his in tears in the locker-room as the game continued without him.

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He played 10 games in 2017, four games in 2016 and six in 2015.

The six-foot-two 215-pounder, who played two tests for New Zealand as an 18-year-old in 2007, says he is looking forward to being part of the Wolfpack.

“To play football overseas is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “The opportunity to challenge myself both as a player and as person in a different part of the world is something I’m looking forward to … I can’t wait to get over to Canada. I’ve never been so to be able to play rugby league over there and put it on the map is a bonus and great for the game.”

Other new Wolfpack faces this season are Australians Jack Buchanan, Jack Butler-Fleming, Reni Matua, Josh McCrone and Cory Paterson, Albanian-born Olsi Krasniqi, Fiji international Ashton Sims and England’s Andy Ackers, Tom Armstrong, Adam Higson, Sam Hopkins, Gareth O’Brien, Nick Rawsthorne and Joe Westerman.

Toronto (5-1-1) defeated Rochdale Hornets 18-17 on Friday to move into first place in the second-tier Betfred Championship pending other weekend results.

Rugby’s first transatlantic team, the Wolfpack won the third-tier Betfred League 1 in 2017.

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press