News

Settled Henjak enjoying life again

August 01 2008

As Toulon continue to snap up high-profile players for the coming season there is one player, who can consider himself lucky to have a contract, who is already taking to life in France.

Matt Henjak, who was sacked by Western Force earlier this year for violent conduct off the field, is looking to make a fresh start on the Cote d'Azur.

Western Force had no qualms in firing Henjak after he broke former team-mate Haig Sare's jaw, but that is all behind the 26-year-old now as he looks to have taken to life in France like a duck to water.

"I haven't got a bad word to say about the place," he told AAP shortly before taking part in an afternoon training session in 30-plus degree heat.

"We've got our first trial game in a couple of weeks and then four weeks after that our first home game.

"Everyone has talked up the Toulon crowd and I can't wait to run out there and be a part of it."

True to Toulon's big-spending reputation they ensured Henjak had a beach front apartment to move into, as well as a car ready for use.

"The club's been really great," Henjak said.

"They find you a place to live and give you a car straight away when you get here. When the season starts they will put me into French school as well.

"I think if I could have picked one dream club to come to when I obviously parted way with the Force, it would have been Toulon."

Having signed a one-year deal Henjak will be keen to impress at Toulon, especially given he has an option to extend that deal by a further 12 months.

And with all eyes on Sonny Bill Williams and his proposed move to France Henjak was quick to point out France is indeed a very attractive place for many Australian players.

"I think it's an attractive option for the top Australian players that are earning big money in Australia but they could earn a lot more over here without the salary cap put on them," he said.

"And it's an attractive place I suppose for fringe Australian players.

"There's 14 teams in France and only four in Australia so there's a lot more opportunity over here to get a start and play in a premier competition whereas the opportunities in Australia may be a little more limited."

But Henjak refuses to rule out a return to Australian rugby one day and playing for his country again.

"Every player that is Australian always has a dream of playing for the Wallabies and I have not closed that door and hopefully the ARU hasn't closed that door on me either," he said.

"But I am just concentrating on these two years over here and seeing what that presents first."