Matt Diskin says the switch from Leeds to Bradford has given him a new lease of life as he prepares to face his old team on Sunday.
Bradford switch has hooker excited over fresh challenge
Matt Diskin says the switch from Leeds to Bradford has given him a new lease of life as he prepares to face his old team on Sunday.
The West Yorkshire derby sees the 29-year-old hooker make his debut for the Bulls after spending 10 years at Headingley, where he won three Grand Finals.
But after slipping down the pecking order Diskin felt the time was right to move on, and he is excited by the prospect of making an instant impact on day two of Millennium Magic in Cardiff.
"Obviously with moving across, I was looking forward to that fixture anyway but for it to be first out of the hat is brilliant," he said.
"To try and kid myself that it's no bigger than any other game is just a joke really, it's massive. I'm really looking forward to locking horns with some of my friends there."
Diskin enjoyed a testimonial at Headingley to mark his 10 years service to the club and admits it was a tough decision to leave.
Wrench
"I only ever played at Leeds so to leave was a big wrench but I had to take myself out of my comfort zone," he said.
"It seems to have worked. The first day of pre-season I couldn't get to sleep until four in the morning, I was so excited. It's really brought a new energy to me."
Of his 22 appearances for the Rhinos last season, 14 were made from the bench, and Diskin does not believe a change of coach, with Brian McDermott taking over from Brian McClennan since his transfer, would have made much difference.
"I want to play internationally again and I wasn't going to achieve that at Leeds playing a supportive role.
"I'm still not guaranteed a starting role at Bradford either but I'm aware at this club that, if your form is good, an opportunity will be given.
"I've still got goals to achieve and, whether I achieve them or I don't, I want to make sure I can look myself in the mirror in five years' time and be happy with what I've done."
