Warrington captain Adrian Morley believes his club's controversial signing Joel Monaghan has the character to stand up to the anticipated barrage of jokes and jibes when he makes his Super League bow in 2011.

The 28-year-old Monaghan quit the Canberra Raiders and fled Australia in the wake of the furore that followed the public screening of a lewd photograph, and will attempt to resurrect his career in Super League after signing a 12-month contract with the Wolves.

Morley played alongside the former Test three-quarter in Australia during his six-year spell with the Sydney Roosters and is delighted that his old team-mate chose to join Warrington ahead of a host of rival Super League clubs.

"I'm good friends with Joel from our Roosters days - we had a couple of years together there - so I know him well and I know he's a belting lad," said the England forward.

"All that nonsense that went on in Australia is water under the bridge as far as we're concerned.

"Let's just talk about his rugby league abilities. He's a fantastic player, a great signing and we're glad to have him on board.

"He's a State of Origin player and an Australian player. I think he'll work very well in our team. He's the kind of player who will complement us and our style of play will complement him."

Morley accepts that Monaghan will be the centre of attention and can expect lots of barracking over the infamous photograph.

"Because it's been in the public eye, he's going to be the butt of everyone's jokes but he's man enough to take that," he said. "I can't see any problem for him.

"He's a very strong character. The Australian press absolutely crucified him over there but he's stood tall.

"We're delighted to have him over here. He'll stand up to whatever anyone says to him over here."

Monaghan revealed that he opted for Warrington in order to fulfil a promise made to his father to play alongside older brother Michael, the Wolves half-back or hooker, before they retire.

After beginning pre-season training with Warrington, the brothers have returned to Australia for a break but both are expected to go on the club's training camp to Tenerife in January, along with the club's other major close-season signing, ex-Huddersfield full-back and captain Brett Hodgson.

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