JAMES Curgenven’s brief foray into rugby league has come to an end with the talented playmaker to return to Southern Inland club Wagga City.
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Work commitments made it too difficult for Curgenven to dedicate the time necessary to make his switch to Group Nine club Tumut a success.
Curgenven informed Tumut coach Jarrad Teka of his decision after last Sunday’s 28-26 loss to reigning premiers Southcity, where he missed a chance to level the scores late in the game.
Curgenven said a combination of work and travel to Tumut forced him to make a difficult decision.
“The issue I was having was that I was struggling to get to training at Tumut,” Curgenven said.
“They train at 6pm on Tuesday and Thursdays and I wasn’t getting there on Tuesdays so it was just a bit of a struggle. I would get there on Thursday and we would go through all the plays and it was taking me a little bit longer too learn.
“In the end, it was too hard to catch up.”
Curgenven will return to Wagga City with Tumut’s blessing, and he has not completely ruled out a return to the Blues.
“It got to the point where I felt I was kind of getting in the way by the end of it,” he said.
“I had a chat to (Tumut coach Jarrad Teka) and he totally understood. He said you’re not but if that’s the way you feel than it’s probably best to go back to rugby for the rest of the year.
“I said that if anything changes, I’ll go back and have another crack at it because I still want to challenge myself, but at the moment, with work, it’s just not viable.”
Curgenven, 33, will make a welcome return to Wagga City, who sit delicately poised in fourth position of the Southern Inland ladder.
Curgenven has been a star for Wagga City since arriving at the club from England in 2014. He is looking forward to making his return to the Boiled Lollies.
“They are a family club, as Tumut were, and I have a lot of respect for Tumut,” he said.
“Obviously Wagga City were the club that brought me over and I’ve always had a soft spot for them.
“Wagga City have welcomed me back and I’m looking forward to getting back into it.”
Wagga City official Darren Rudd described Curgenven as a ‘valuable addition’.