Signed for 2015

Why would sign a 33 yr old who retired from the game?

also a strange one for me, he left to go mining after retiring from RL but PR most see something so welcome onboard Ben

Went to play part time. Unless he has retired since 2012

Good signing for me

Let's give the lad a chance, Paul must see something in him and if he puts a Leigh shirt on he becomes a Leyther and gets my support

Well i wanted a experienced half back, but i did not not expect quite as experienced as this. Short term to say the least. Also why cant he play this year?

massive step backwards for me. if this is the level of our ambition i for one feel concerned. he hasnt even played properly for 2 years. waste of a signing for me. but thats just my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come to the next LISA meeting and ask PR ?

Think we need to let PR pick his team, and our 6/7 are in stone so although we needed cover here it was always going to be that, cover. Today we lacked an organiser and a field kicker, next season that could cost us.

Why ? he's expressing his views on the forum. Nothing wrong in that.

Jeffries has benn playing part time for kurri kurri bulldogs in aussie so he is probably still fit and arguably playing a level upto our level.

Could be a vital piece next year with his experience. Time will tell wether Paul rowley has made a mistake

Great player at Wakefield. If he stayed fit you'll have a good one.

Why?... I think it's a poor signing and hopefully not a sign of things to come.
He's been a decent player in his time but signing an ageing player from 2nd tier Oz doesn't bode well.

I was not criticising his post I was just saying he could ask PR if he came to the next LISA meeting.

Oh OK I will ask the question at the next LISA meeting if no one else does.

His game at Wakey was built around his ability to spot a gap and pace (which he has probably lost a little), but he also had a good short kicking game. What he will bring is a lot of experience in the middle of the park. Good signing for me.

Welcome aboard Ben !!!!

I'll reserve judgement on this one.

A 34 year old half back who has not played pro for 2 years.

Deary me. It does not send much of a message out. Not many half backs around at that age. Ian Watson probably is a similar age but we want to be in SL do we not?

I wonder why he cant play this year? A very odd signing, however i did request a experienced half back

I can not see this being true anyway. A 34 year old play maker at a club pushing for super league? Come off it. There are no half backs that age in SL for a reason.

Just been on the official site. Nothing. Tells me all I need to kmow. Lets get behind the likes of young Riddy and Kes who are doing a mighty fine job.

In fairness has spent more time in SL than any other aussie and some of ours are turning pro for the first time next season.

For cover at half back or to replace a half back?

Well said Derek. As we know in Australia even there lower leagues you have to have a good level of fitness, if he can give us 12 months of experience that he's already got, it could make all the difference to us.

For all you 'non believers' here's the Press Release!

Leigh Centurions are pleased to confirm that Australian halfback Ben Jefferies, 33, has agreed a two-year full-time contract with the Club commencing on 1 December 2014.
Jefferies, a former Australian Schoolboy international is a vastly experienced player and became the only Australian to complete ten consecutive years in Super League during spells with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Bradford Bulls.
After breaking into the NRL with St George-Illawarra and Wests Tigers, Jefferies enjoyed five seasons at Wakefield before linking up with the Bulls in 2008. He re-joined the Wildcats in 2010 before moving back to Bradford midway through the 2011 season, returning to play in Australia at the end of the 2012 season.
He has scored 70 tries and kicked 20 goals and six drop-goals for in 161 Super League games for Wakefield and scored 20 tries in 79 Super League appearances for Bradford. He then announced his intentions to return to Australia to live and work in Newcastle, NSW and play for Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in the Newcastle Competition.

Just to verify. He is 34 on 4th sept 2014. I really hope he does well.

Is he replacing Brierley?