New signing Chris Latham has revealed his burning desire to start the next chapter of his life at Worcester Warriors – and promised the Sixways faithful they will see the best years of his rugby career.
Australian international Latham will become the biggest signing in the club’s history when he makes his summer switch to Warriors.
The full back, capped 78 times by the Wallabies, is currently ruled out after surgery on a torn pectoral muscle that has ended his playing days with Queensland Reds.
But after a positive prognosis from surgeons in Australia, Latham is now counting down the days to his summer switch and impressing his new army of fans at Sixways.
“My best years are ahead of me and will be at Warriors – I have no doubt about that at all,” said Latham, dubbed the best full back in world rugby.
“It has been so disappointing to have been hit by injuries in recent times but I have been really unlucky. The knee reconstruction was after a freakish accident and my shoulder was the same.
“I have been so disappointed to be ruled out injured and that time out only makes you hungry. Being ruled out has focused my motivation for the move to Warriors even more and my desire to keep playing rugby.
“I simply can’t wait to play for Warriors – I’m that excited about it already. It has been hard to accept not playing these last few weeks. When I get to Sixways I’m out to impress, show the best form of my life and really make an impact.
“The surgery went really well. The surgeon said it was a really good clean tear of the muscle off the bone, the best it could have been in the circumstances.
“For that reason it is certainly going to speed up the recovery process. The surgeon was happy and that has given me real hope of a speedy comeback.
“The injury is not the way I wanted to end my playing days in Australia but the real positive is that I can come over to Warriors and get settled in earlier and get to know the club and my new team-mates.
“I’m really keen to play some rugby again. I will be fresh when I pull on the jersey for the first time and not coming after a gruelling season.”
Latham will pick up his bags in the coming months and make the trip around the globe to set up a new home and life with his family.
The hugely likeable Australian admits the move already dominates the conversation around the dinner table in his household – and they are already living out of boxes!
“The anticipation is really growing – it’s already a case of counting down the days until I can move to Warriors and get started,” he revealed to www.warriors.co.uk.
“I talk about Warriors on a daily basis with my family. We are all excited about the new challenge and new start. We’re all looking forward to setting up a new home and getting amongst it all.
“It’s been quite a scary and intense time for all of us. When I signed for Warriors there were initial nerves and questions about the move, people asking if we were doing the right move. But now it’s all about excitement and a new beginning, this is the right thing for all of the family.
“Now we all check out the website to see what is going on. We’ve sold the house and are already packing up the house into boxes – it is all go.”
Latham will join a team that ended the season in real style in the Guinness Premiership and was just edged out by Bath in the European Challenge Cup final.
The Australian superstar will only add to a fired-up and talented back line and is convinced his attacking style will fit in well at Sixways.
“There were a number of reasons why I decided I wanted to move to Worcester,” he said.
“The way the team has been performing and aiming to play excites me. Getting to a European Challenge Cup final just builds to the excitement.
“You can see the aspirations and dreams at the club, they want to be a success and I plan to be a big part of making this happen.
“The expansive style of rugby is a real attraction to the move,” he added.
“That is something I love about rugby, the ability to attack and use the ball. That is what my game is all about.
“There is no better satisfaction to me than thinking of ways to attack and breach defences. Seeing that in a team and a team that wants to progress is fantastic.
“I know some of the former Warriors. I used to play with Shane Drahm and played alongside Thinus Delport. I also know Rico (Gear) from playing over here and Sam Tuitupou, who is quite a character. There will be a few familiar faces.
“I also came across Pat Sanderson’s brother Alex when he did some coaching with the Reds. I’m looking forward to playing with Pat and being a part of his side.
“It’s an exciting time for me. The whole family are all looking forward to becoming Warriors and the move cannot come soon enough.”