Murphy reveals second-season fear

By Phil Harlow

It's going to be harder for me this year - but if I improve as a player then I can take it in my stride Catalans Dragons winger Justin Morgan

Prolific Catalans winger Justin Murphy says he is doing his utmost to avoid being labelled a one-season wonder.

The 27-year-old Australian made history last year, finishing as Super League's top try-scorer with 26 tries despite the Dragons coming bottom of the table.

"I more or less came from nowhere last season," Murphy told BBC Sport.

"I've been thinking about the whole 'second-season syndrome' problem, but I've trained harder than ever to make sure that it doesn't happen to me."

Murphy played for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, but it was his first full season in Super League that saw him shoot to prominence.

"It's going to be harder for me this year but if I improve as a player then I can take it in my stride," he added.

"It was great to make history last year - and it's something I'm very proud of - but I'd rather our team finished higher up the table.

Every time we run out, we're not only playing for ourselves but for the sport in France as well Justin Murphy

"Rugby league is a team sport so I'd always swap the tries for wins that meant we were pressing for the play-offs."

Murphy, who also had a short spell with Widnes, said he was alerted to the opportunity of playing in France by Hull KR coach Justin Morgan, a former team-mate of his at the Warriors.

"I was good friends with Justin. He retired and came over to coach at Toulouse, so I spoke with him and it planted the idea in my head," said Murphy.

"It's exciting to have to learn a whole new language and culture, and it's something I've enjoyed doing. I'm not exactly fluent but my girlfriend of nearly two years is French, so that certainly helps."

606: DEBATE He is lightning fast and I'm sure he will still score tries next season. nkpom 606: Have your say

Murphy insists a lot of his team-mates are eager to play an evangelical role and help promote rugby league in France.

"We're conscious of the need to not only win games but to also establish - or re-establish - the game in France," he said.

"We know our club is seen as representing French rugby league. Every time we run out, we're not only playing for ourselves but for the sport in France as well.

"I love the sport so I just want it to prosper here like it did years ago."

We want to prove we're worth our place in Super League Justin Murphy

Murphy said the Dragons had their sights set much further up the table this season.

"We don't want to finish bottom again," he said.

"We want to prove we're worth our place in Super League. Two players that people should keep an eye on are (loose forward) Gregory Mounis and (winger) Adam Mogg.

"Gregory was good last year, but he's really come on again and Adam has looked terrific in training so I'm sure he's going to have a good season."

Murphy, who stands 5ft 8in tall and weighs in at 12st 8lb, said his relatively slight stature meant he concentrated on maximising his speed.

"I'm no Lesley Vainikolo, so I have to think about how I approach the game a bit more," he said.

"In training, I concentrate on speed and ways of beating players. I know I'm not as big as those guys so I have to play smart and think about ways of making my mark."