Championship side announce re-signing of World Cup international
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/Shutterstock 13464398cc Anton Iaria and Nathan Brown of Italy and James Bell and Sam Luckley of Scotland Scotland v Italy, Rugby League World Cup 2021, Group B, Rugby League, Kingston Park, Newcastle, UK - 16 Oct 2022 Scotland v Italy, Rugby League World Cup 2021, Group B, Rugby League, Kingston Park, Newcastle, UK - 16 Oct 2022 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xGreigxCowie/Shutterstockx 13464398cc
Barrow Raiders have announced that they have re-signed Italian international Anton Iaria.
The prop forward has signed on for a new one-year contract that will see him represent the Cumbrian side for the upcoming Championship season.
Iaria is a full international for Italy and started all three of their recent World Cup matches.
The Italian had joined Barrow prior to 2022 having played in Australia for some of the NRL feeder teams including the East Tigers (Melbourne Storm’s feeder) and also Penrith Panthers’ NSW cup side.
✍️ New deal for Anton!
Hard-hitting forward @antoniaria12 has signed a new deal which will keep him at the club for the 2023 season.
— Barrow Raiders (@BarrowRaiders) November 30, 2022
In his 2022 campaign for the Raiders he tallied six tries across 31 games helping Barrow to the playoffs where they crashed out to Batley, who went on to contest the Million Pound Game.
Iaria commented on his re-signing and will join the club in the new year having returned to Australia with his family.
Iaria said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time with Barrow this year, and it was a really easy decision to come back.
“The club, the fans and everyone else involved have treated me really well.
“It’s such a tight-knit community where everyone really supports each other. From the day I landed, everyone was so supportive and wanted the best from you.”
Both chairman, Steve Neale, and head coach, Paul Crarey, welcomed his return with the pair offering praise for the 26-year-old.
“We are delighted to welcome back Anton, who played such a leading and consistent role on our return to the Championship,” said Neale.
Crarey added: “Anton has got great skill. He’s not the biggest, but he’s got great leg speed and can be an 80-minute performer for us. He’s tenacious and he’s got that little bit of ruggedness in him as well, and he’s really loving it here.”