ABOVE: Ryan McGoldrick made a mess of his US immigration papers
I didn’t fancy getting handcuffed and
body searched as soon as I landed in America. It would have been
embarrassing for the USA team
Ryan McGoldrick
RYAN McGOLDRICK was a wanted man in America for several years.
The controversial Salford half-back landed in hot water after staying with his grandmother in the States.
Aussie McGoldrick applied to take his driving test there and filled in a form saying he was a US resident.
The government then tried to call him up for national service and, when they couldn’t find him, put him on the wanted list.
McGoldrick said: “There was a warrant for my arrest and the immigration people turned up at my grandma’s trying to find me.
“I was back home in Australia and my grandma kept telling me to sort it out because she kept getting letters and visits.
“But I couldn’t see the point in doing anything – it sounded quite exciting to be on the run from the law for four years.
“It’s only me who could end up as an international criminal for not filling a form in properly.”
McGoldrick, who started his career Down Under in Cronulla before joining Castleford, finally ended the saga when he chose to play for the USA rugby league team.
He said: “I didn’t fancy getting handcuffed and body searched as soon as I landed in America. It would have been embarrassing for the USA team if one of their own players was arrested and held by the FBI.”
McGoldrick, 32, will play for the States in this year’s World Cup and warned fans not to write them off too easily.
He said: “I am not saying we will set the world alight but we will be competitive in our group against Wales and the Cook Islands. It’s more of a celebration for us but we’ve got some players who could surprise a few.”
McGoldrick hopes Salford can also pull off a shock or two before the end of the season.
Victory over Widnes on Sunday lifted them off the foot of the table and was new boss Brian Noble’s second win in five games.
McGoldrick added: “We aren’t doing too badly given the fact we got thrown together.”
St Helens have signed half-back Luke Walsh from Penrith on a two-year deal.
Aussie McGoldrick applied to take his driving test there and filled in a form saying he was a US resident.
The government then tried to call him up for national service and, when they couldn’t find him, put him on the wanted list.
McGoldrick said: “There was a warrant for my arrest and the immigration people turned up at my grandma’s trying to find me.
“I was back home in Australia and my grandma kept telling me to sort it out because she kept getting letters and visits.
“But I couldn’t see the point in doing anything – it sounded quite exciting to be on the run from the law for four years.
“It’s only me who could end up as an international criminal for not filling a form in properly.”
McGoldrick, who started his career Down Under in Cronulla before joining Castleford, finally ended the saga when he chose to play for the USA rugby league team.
He said: “I didn’t fancy getting handcuffed and body searched as soon as I landed in America. It would have been embarrassing for the USA team if one of their own players was arrested and held by the FBI.”
McGoldrick, 32, will play for the States in this year’s World Cup and warned fans not to write them off too easily.
He said: “I am not saying we will set the world alight but we will be competitive in our group against Wales and the Cook Islands. It’s more of a celebration for us but we’ve got some players who could surprise a few.”
McGoldrick hopes Salford can also pull off a shock or two before the end of the season.
Victory over Widnes on Sunday lifted them off the foot of the table and was new boss Brian Noble’s second win in five games.
McGoldrick added: “We aren’t doing too badly given the fact we got thrown together.”
St Helens have signed half-back Luke Walsh from Penrith on a two-year deal.
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