The Bartercard
Cup exodus to the NRL continues in 2004

Hot on the heels of Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions star halfback Hayden Karena heading off to the North Queensland Cowboys club, another NZ Bartercard Cup player is finishing off the 2004 season playing in an NRL club.

24 year old Taylor Pelenise, Canterbury Bulls forward is travelling to Sydney today to play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs club, who currently are at the bottom of the NRL ladder. Pelenise has also played for New Zealand A against Great Britain last year. He is expected to play for the Rabbitohs Premier League side next week.

Pelenise learned last Friday that injury-hit Souths wanted him but said nothing until after the Bulls had beaten Wellington the next night so as not to disrupt the team's preparation. "It's just been my dream to play in the NRL. I'm very thankful they have approached me, so I'm going to take the chance and go hard," he said.

Player manager Frank Endacott has no doubts Pelenise has the qualities to succeed. "He's big, strong, skilful, and fast for a big fellow, and that's what they are looking for," he said. Pelenise has been an imposing sight at 110kg, and a big impact player coming off the bench.

The Canterbury Bulls after winning the Bartercard Cup competition in 2003, lost 3 players to the Queensland Cup and Shane Beyers to the Wests Magpies.

It is reported that the Bulls fullback Sione Lusi may also be leaving, heading to Great Britain.

Canterbury Bulls currently lie third in the Bartercard Cup competition, however losing two of their top players will certainly have an affect on the team.