NEW Salford centre Willie Talau is on a mission to prove that he is an even better player than he showed in his five glory years at St Helens.

The 32-year-old enjoyed several trophy triumphs with the Knowsley Roaders but part of him found it frustrating being a small fish in a big pond.

With there being fewer world class players at his new club Salford, Talau know that there will be more onus on him to deliver the goods in the forthcoming Super League season both in attack and in defence. And that is one of the biggest reasons why Talau agreed to join the Reds on a two-year contract.

Talau said: "My time at Saints was a very successful period for me. I was there for five years but, to be honest, I was getting a little bit bored there.

"I just wanted a change and joining Salford is the new challenge that I was looking for.

"It is hard to show what you are capable of at St Helens because there are a lot of very capable players in the team.

"I am looking forward to showing that I am capable of a lot more. And I’m looking forward to passing things on to the good young players that are coming through at Salford."

Talau may be coming towards the end of his illustrious career but he insists that he still has a lot to offer at both Super League and international level. The former New Zealand international played for Samoa at the recent World Cup and he has no intention of retiring from international rugby.

He said: "If you still love something then why should you stop doing it?

"I love playing for Samoa. For me playing for Samoa is just a good time.

"And I still love playing in Super League. If I didn’t still enjoy playing and training I wouldn’t be here (at Salford).

"I may be 32 but I am still motivated to do my best and to achieve things. I’ve still got a lot of passion for the game and I’m a very competitive person."

Talau also has a passion for cooking and he is planning to soon sign himself up for a chef’s course. And he admits it is vital that Salford put in some Michelin Star performances at the Willows this year.

Talau said: "I know that Salford have a strong history of doing well in their home games. The Reds have beaten a lot of top teams at home over the years. So I think we should just start with trying to win all of our home games and see how we go from here.

"We have got quite a small squad and a lot of young kids so we can’t afford to pick up a lot of injuries. But, as long as we have some good luck on the injury front, I see no reason why we can’t do well this season."

Meanwhile, Talau is tipping winger Dean McGilvray, the other player to have moved from St Helens to Salford in the close season, to be a big hit with the Willows faithful.

He said: "Dean is a very hard working kid and a very good player. If he gets his chance at Salford I can guarantee that he will do well.

"He was just unlucky at Saints as they have got a wealth of talent and two international wingers in Francis Meli and Ade Gardner."