Ryan Sutton admits many Australians scratch their heads because of Wigan accent
But one thing is clear from Canberra - the Warriors will come good after stuttering Super League start
RYAN Sutton is turning heads in Australia and leaving many scratching theirs wondering, ‘What the hell is he on about?’
But one thing is crystal clear even from the other side of the world – Wigan will come good after a shaky start to their Super League title defence.
The former Warriors prop is currently celebrating after making his first NRL start in new club Canberra Raiders’ 17-10 win over Newcastle Knights yesterday.
However, there is every chance what he said to his team-mates after the victory needed repeating because of his Wigan accent.
Mind you, the stick he gets is nothing compared to fellow Englishman John Bateman, ho followed him to the Australian capital from Lancashire, with his thick Bradford accent.
Prop Sutton said: “I have to repeat myself sometimes as I say some words and people are like, ‘What have you just said?’ but it’s vice-versa as well.
“I’m trying to get used to their accent and what they say. Aussies add O to many things, abbreviate things, called rugby ‘footy’ and football ‘soccer’, which annoys me!
“A few of the lads pick up on the stuff I say. Every time I say, ‘Y’all right,’ they say, ‘What?’
“It’s more the players, they just laugh when I start rambling on and mumbling in Wigan slang. They just laugh.
“John gets loads though as he’s full-on Bradford. Everyone’s like, ‘Do we need a translator here?’ but you can see how well he’s doing and that’s pushing me on to do the same.”
Sutton headed out to Canberra on his own after last season, arriving before Bateman and fellow Poms Elliott Whitehead and Josh Hodgson.
But while he may be thousands of miles away, his heart remains at home and he has been watching how Adrian Lam’s side has stuttered at the start of the Super League season.
He is certain, though, that things will turn around, adding: “I’m good mates with a lot of the team, so I’ve definitely been watching them.
“I can only say one thing, having been through that tough time before I know they’ll definitely come out of the other side smiling because they’ve got a great bunch of lads and they’re just going through a tough time.
“I reckon they’ll not be far off.”
Sutton, 23, may be making waves in the NRL but he has two other aims – one on the field and one off it. Avoiding spiders and making the Great Britain squad at the end of the season.
“If I do come into contact with any spiders, which I haven’t yet, I’ll probably be on the phone to a pest controller because I really don’t like them,” he said.
“I’ve been hanging around with Elliott and Josh and they’ve been unofficial tour guides, showing me different places but it’s probably more so on the golf side.
“I’ve played that much golf, I’ve been here, there and everywhere.
“At the moment it’s baby steps but in the future, the aim is to play for your country. Playing for Great Britain is definitely an aim for me.”
