League: Saint Vinnie loving his overseas experience

It's A familiar tale - Warriors let player go, player moves to UK, player sets the Super League alight and people wonder why the Warriors allowed the player to go.

The latest in a swagger of protagonists is Vinnie Anderson but you could insert the names Ali Lauitiiti and Thomas Leuluai to this story.

For the 26-year-old Anderson, the whole messy business of being shunted out by the Warriors in March and then being the subject of a tug-of-war by UK clubs is but a distant memory, or so he says publicly, and it's difficult to argue otherwise considering the unrivalled success he's enjoying on the other side of the world.

"I'm having a great time," Anderson said from his home in Rainford, a small village about 10km from where he plays his rugby league for St Helens.

It certainly helps that Anderson's side is on a 10-match unbeaten run, which coincides with the arrival of former Warriors and Kiwis coach Daniel Anderson, and yesterday were one point ahead of defending champions and Super League favourites Leeds on the table.

Add to that the fact he's being talked about as one of the league's best second-rowers, if not one of the best players in the competition - and that he's being paid more than $300,000 a year to pull on a Saints jersey - and it might help explain why the nine-test Kiwi is sounding so relaxed.

The last memories most New Zealanders have of him are of his hurried departure from the Warriors after he was told he had no future at the club. "It wasn't the nicest ending," Anderson said earnestly. "I had differences with one or two people, not the club as a whole. My team-mates were close to me and I wish them all the best."

It was his relationship with his team-mates which meant he couldn't sign with another NRL side and play against the Warriors - "It's almost like playing against your country, it'd feel weird," he explained with a hint of an English accent.

The UK has always been a popular destination for Kiwi players but Anderson is now an example of what seems to be a changing trend in New Zealand league with players heading there at a younger age. Although it's still commonplace for 'experienced' campaigners to head to the Super League, Anderson will next year be joined by Jason Cayless, 25, at St Helens while Iafeta Paleaaesina, 23, is on his way to Wigan. Add in the likes of Lauitiiti, Leuluai, Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo and Henry Fa'afili and there is a wealth of talent in Blighty that's often forgotten about on these shores.

"The Super League is becoming increasingly more important to New Zealanders, rather than Australians," Anderson said. "The ultimate for New Zealanders is to play test football and, apart from the Anzac Test when it's hard to fly back, you still have a good shot of playing international football [if you're in the UK]."

But the Super League, according to Anderson, has some way to go to match the NRL, not least of all in creating a more even competition. "In the Super League it used to be a top six but this year it's really only a top four who are competitive," he explained. "Against the bottom teams, you hate to say it, but you're almost guaranteed a win."

Anderson has profited in these games, and scored three of his 11 tries this season in the 66-4 win over a once-proud Bradford in June. He also played a key hand in helping his side to the Challenge Cup semifinals against Hull later this month, after a 75-0 demolition of Wigan in the quarter-finals.

As Anderson drives off to training down the small country lanes in North Yorkshire that remind him of New Zealand, he's left to reflect on what has transpired over the past six months. Only a quick reflection, mind, because as the Warriors' season hangs in the balance, the Saints, and Anderson, keep marching on.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY