Krisnan Inu ready to help Salford to next level with new contract
KRISNAN Inu proved Salford fans' Christmas gift after eventually committing to a new deal.
And the Red Devils star believes he can help them take that next step as the fab four are back together on the other side of the world.
Inu snubbed interest from other clubs to sign a deal for 2021 after proving doubters wrong in a fabulous 2020 season, one that started with him out of the side.
Now he will be among friends as Elijah Taylor's arrival means the quartet of the pair, Tui Lolohea and Sebastine Ikahihifo are reunited after playing together at NRL side New Zealand Warriors.
And after proving to two coaches - Ian Watson and new man Richard Marshall - he is worthy of a new contract, Inu believes they can go one step further than this year's Challenge Cup final and last year's Super League Grand Final.
He said: “We want to go one better in the big games and while we might have lost a couple but with what we’ve gained, people can fill in and do just as good a job, if not better.
“I know what Elijah brings to the table and us three being here will help him settle in off the field as much as on it. That’s the hardest part, getting your family settled in and adjusts to the life change.
“Elijah does things the hard way to reap the rewards and his rugby speaks for itself. He’s a bit like Niall Evalds – really quiet but gets the job done week in, week out.
“First priority for the club was finding a new coach but people got anxious thinking, ‘What’s going on? Who’s staying? Who’s going? Who’s following Ian?’
“I didn’t want to rush into it too much – I wasn’t too sure as the views of the club and Ian were up in the air at the start of the season.
“I had to show my worth then and luckily enough through injury, I had the opportunity to show what I was there for and what I want to do.
“It wasn’t even playing for a contract. It was more a case of showing I still had it in me.
“There were offers I was considering but I left it to my manager. I said, ‘You deal with it. I don’t want the headache of it.”
If being laid back was a sign of quality, Inu would be a contender to be Super League's best player.
Even though he was out of contract, there was no panic from the winger, who let his agent deal with it all.
And when it came to meeting new boss Marshall, he even ducked out of some talks because he was technically not one of his players.
The 33-year-old added: “I was there for the first meeting to meet Richard and some of the new players and he laid down his plans, what he wants for pre-season and how he wants things done.
“Then I distanced myself as my deal wasn’t done. I didn’t want to put my foot in not knowing where I’d be.
“And I expect every pre-season to be different. I’ve been there and done that.”
