Former Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors winger Karl Pryce’s nephew Will Pryce is headed to the NRL but when he himself had the opportunity to go down under, Karl declined.
Speaking to Serious About Rugby League, Pryce revealed he had NRL interest at the start of his career and why he dismissed the chance to go to the NRL.
“Very early on, when I was just breaking through into Bradford’s first team. There was some talk but it wasn’t something I aspired for,” he said/
“It wasn’t a goal of mine to go over to the NRL and play.
“It’s been 20 years since I made my debut. The calibre of players coming over then, the top stars were coming over. I played with Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo and played against Jamie Lyon and Matt Gidley.
“If you go over there you will play against them week in week out, but they were always coming over here. We were getting the best of Australia coming over.
“Now it’s not happening as much because it’s hard to get them over now with the salary cap difference.”
This didn’t stop him from encouraging his nephew Will to go and join Newcastle Knights in 2024:
“Honestly, really excited for him. It is a massive opportunity for him and they don’t always come around through your career.
“You don’t always have those opportunities, so for him to have it so early in his career is great.
“I am really close with William, he’s like my little brother. He’s my little buddy, we spoke about it. He was like ‘what do you think?’
“I was like ‘why not? What are you waiting for? To make another 100 appearances. Go now and become the best player you can be so you can pick up better habits around the best of the best and be coached by someone like Andrew Johns.
“Better to do it now other than 28 or 29 when you’re still young but you might be in some habits.”
