"How the Aussie Takeover Could Make London Broncos the 'Real Deal' at Last"

REAGAN Campbell-Gillard is not here for a holiday, he is here to make sure London can finally scale the slope and become the real deal.

Literally, as it will involve turning out on Batley’s infamous nine-foot slant.

Former Australia star Reagan Campbell-Gillard insists the new incarnation of London Broncos is the real deal.Credit: SWPIX.COM

The former Australia star, a two-time World Cup winner, is the star name as the Broncos’ latest incarnation under Aussie owners Grant Wechsel and rugby league icon Darren Lockyer gets underway.

It is far from Virgin territory – the last time the side in the capital looked so serious was when Richard Branson owned them.

But Campbell-Gillard, who committed to a Championship season facing part-time players under new coach Jason Demetriou, is in no doubt this time is for real.

He said: “It didn’t need much selling. It was just more the attraction of working with Grant and Darren.

“Both of them approached me and it didn’t really need much of a twist of my arm. It was a pretty easy decision to come.

“And I’m already convinced this time is real. From what I’ve heard about the past, the people that were trying to hold this club together did a fantastic job.

“It’s a new ownership, a new direction, and I believe it’s genuine because the boys are genuine on what they want out of this club and investment.

“In the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve seen it’s definitely genuine.

“Most of the players are full-time now, they haven’t been in the past, and we’re making sure the London Broncos club, as in front of house, is all in order.

“The rugby is up to myself, the team and JD. Grant and Darren’s job is to make sure they’re putting numbers on seats as well. It’s a massive challenge.

“We’ve got a goal and that’s what we want – to go back into Super League. But it’s baby steps at the moment.”

Campbell-Gillard has been appointed captain of the Championship favouritesCredit: SWPIX.COM

London’s journey begins with today’s clash with Widnes and they will visit good stadia like the Vikings’, Doncaster and Salford.

But Campbell-Gillard, who won the World Cup with Australia in 2022 at Old Trafford and has graced Elland Road, Brisbane’s Suncorp, Melbourne’s MCG among others, will also be at Batley’s Mount Pleasant and Swinton’s Heywood Road.

“There’s going to be some shocking fields,” the 32-year-old added. “You’ve just got to deal with them, I guess.

“Some of the fields that we have to play on is one of the s*** factors, I’d say, However, both teams have to play on them. Just deal with the 80-minute performance when we rock up there.

“And I’ve heard about Batley’s field. I’ve been asking if we’d play uphill or downhill in the first half.

“That’s going to be a little bit interesting, but it’s just more of a challenge in that sense. Embracing the different, difficult conditions than I’m used to back home.”

Grant Wechsel and Darren Lockyer’s aim is to grow th Broncos’ committed fanbase as it rises to Super League.Credit: SWPIX.COM

Campbell-Gillard, who played for NRL side Gold Coast Titans last year, has been named Broncos captain and just like getting used to the weather, he will adapt as he goes.

He told SunSport: “Australia’s going into a very warm summer at the moment, so arriving when It was minus two, and then trying to train it, was a little bit difficult.

“Obviously not having our trial matches is not ideal. But a few clubs are in the same boat and we had an in-house trial as well.

“Captaincy is new to me. We have a leadership group as well and we rely on everyone to be a leader.

“There won’t be much talking from me, I’ll lead through my actions rather than my words. I’m not just going to talk for the sake of talking.”