Player Anthony Gelling

MEDIA RELEASE
Vodafone Warriors sign ex-Wigan centre Gelling
Richard Becht
Fri 12 Jan 2018, 11:02 AM


Anthony Gelling, who recently returned to Auckland after six seasons in England, has been signed by the Vodafone Warriors on a one-year contract.

After being given an early release by the Wigan Warriors, the Cook Islands international was invited to train with the Vodafone Warriors this week.

“It’s a stroke of luck for us that Anthony has come back,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney.

“He proved himself in the Super League and has immediately impressed us at training this week.

“We’re thrilled we’ve been able to add him to our squad. He brings size and some special skills, providing further depth and increasing competition among our outside backs.”

In his six seasons with Wigan, Gelling (27) scored 52 tries in 114 appearances and also represented the Cook Islands at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

“Rugby league wasn’t the reason I came home,” he said.

“I’d had six seasons in England and I really wanted to be back in New Zealand around my family. I’m grateful for everything Wigan did for me and for allowing me to head home early.

“I wasn’t sure what would happen with my career but the opportunity came up to train with the Vodafone Warriors this week and now I’m excited about signing for the club.”

Gelling was a Super League grand final winner with Wigan at Old Trafford in 2016 and was also in its beaten side in the 2014 decider.

He helped Wigan to its World Club Challenge win against Cronulla in 2017 as well as playing in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley (a match Hull FC won).

He last played in New Zealand in 2011 when he was in the Vodafone Warriors’ feeder side the Auckland Vulcans, who lost 28-30 to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bankstown in the dying moments of the New South Wales Cup at ANZ Stadium. The same season he tasted success at Auckland club level when the Howick Hornets won the Fox Memorial premiership for the first time.

ANTHONY GELLING

Date of Birth: October 18, 1990

Birthplace: Auckland, NZ

Junior Club: Howick Hornets

Position: Centre

Height: 1.96m

Weight: 102kg

Rep Honours: 6 Tests for Cook Islands (2009-2015)

Previous Clubs: Sydney Roosters (2009-2010), Auckland Vulcans (2011), Wigan Warriors (2012-2017)

NRL debut: Yet to make debut

Super League Career: 114 appearances for Wigan Warriors (2012-2017)

Super League Points: 208 (52 tries)

NYC Career: 30 appearances for Sydney Roosters

NYC Career: 28 (7 tries)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2018/01/12/vodafone-warriors-sign-ex-wigan-centre-gelling/

 

[mt.wellington]

Handy player but we have some real depth at centre/wing. Was never going to be a long term option IMO. At least he got to tick playing NRL off his list which in itself is an awesome achievement. Wish him all the best in Super League...

 

[eudebrito]

i liked big Tony always good to have a character in the team. Plays center like a back rower though

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

He left Wigan due to 'personal reasons', whatever it was must have blown over. Widnes are in a major pickle though, bottom of the league with a new coach and Toronto looming in the qualifiers

 

[Defence]

Tbh the best part of his game is the post try celebrations.

 

[matiunz]

Tbh the best part of his game is the post try celebrations.

Lol I always thought “your not good enough to be that cocky”

 

[tajhay]

He left Wigan due to 'personal reasons', whatever it was must have blown over. Widnes are in a major pickle though, bottom of the league with a new coach and Toronto looming in the qualifiers

He left because his GF was in a car accident in NZ and left to come be with her.

 

[mt.wellington]

He left Wigan due to 'personal reasons', whatever it was must have blown over.

Excerpt.

Anthony Gelling thankful for New Zealand Warriors opportunity
29/01/2018

The 27-year-old had been looking at getting a release from Wigan during the offseason, but, with one year left on his deal, he decided he would play out his contract before coming home. After hearing the news his girlfriend was injured in a car accident late last year in Northland, the Cook Island international didn't hesitate to return back home.

"I was hoping to come back for the start of the year but it didn't work out that way so I went back to England and I was doing my last year there and I was still 50/50," Gelling told Newshub.

"But my girlfriend that still lives here was in a bad car crash during that first month of pre-season so as soon as that happened I was on the first plane over and it made more sense to be here this year.

"All of the little reasons why I was thinking I should stay in the UK all went out the window and it made things simple that this is where I need to be."

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/spor...ful-for-new-zealand-warriors-opportunity.html

Gruesome image of girlfriend post accident below. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Spoiler

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

Excerpt.

Anthony Gelling thankful for New Zealand Warriors opportunity
29/01/2018

The 27-year-old had been looking at getting a release from Wigan during the offseason, but, with one year left on his deal, he decided he would play out his contract before coming home. After hearing the news his girlfriend was injured in a car accident late last year in Northland, the Cook Island international didn't hesitate to return back home.

"I was hoping to come back for the start of the year but it didn't work out that way so I went back to England and I was doing my last year there and I was still 50/50," Gelling told Newshub.

"But my girlfriend that still lives here was in a bad car crash during that first month of pre-season so as soon as that happened I was on the first plane over and it made more sense to be here this year.

"All of the little reasons why I was thinking I should stay in the UK all went out the window and it made things simple that this is where I need to be."

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/spor...ful-for-new-zealand-warriors-opportunity.html

Gruesome image of girlfriend post accident below. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Spoiler

View attachment 25809

Understood.
Not good that.

 

[Off The Bench]

Now l like him just a little bit more .He made some good runs for us in the
Weekend

 

[fizurg]

Other than a few shocking passes he’s been pretty good.
Added real value at depth. Especially for a last minute bargain basement signing.
Personally I found his videos pretty good too.
Will miss the guy and hope he goes well with his new team.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

Tbh the best part of his game is the post try celebrations.

Did he ever end up shitting on Ayshford?

 

[Defence]

Did he ever end up shitting on Ayshford?

Haha who knows- what goes on tour....

 

[Waiting For Premiership]

Hes leaving at end of season. Back to super league.

 

[Defence]

Hes leaving at end of season. Back to super league.

And in other breaking news- man has discovered the wheel

 

[Waiting For Premiership]

And in other breaking news- man has discovered the wheel

God my internet is fucking slow

 

[snake77]

He left because his GF was in a car accident in NZ and left to come be with her.

Hopefully that is all sorted. Life is much more important than football.

He was lucky we had some cap space to accommodate him and the club was lucky to have a decent player move to Auckland. Both sides got what they needed out of the deal.

 

[mt.wellington]

Doesn't know exactly where he is going to but most likely Widnes. Nothing has been signed...

 

[Run_it_str8]

Doesn't know exactly where he is going to but most likely Widnes. Nothing has been signed...

But the media say it like it's legally binding.

Summama biscuits.

 

[Lord Gnome of Howick MBE]

Doesn't know exactly where he is going to but most likely Widnes. Nothing has been signed...

So not Super League then.

 

[snake77]

Good luck to him. Hope the situation with his partner is all sorted.

He seemed like a good guy to have around the club. The thing is if we want to sign anyone else or promote anyone we are going to have to lose a few to free up cap space and a roster position.