NEW Leigh Centurions coach Tony Benson has sent out a battle cry from the other side of the world.

Benson, now back in New Zealand preparing for his permanent move to Leigh, wants the Centurions to end their first venture into Super League on a high by beating Salford at Hilton Park on Friday night.

"What better time to jump up and bite somebody," he said this week from his Auckland home.

"It's been a traumatic year for everyone at the club - players and fans - so wouldn't it be great to end the season with a smile on everyone's faces?

"I really thought that we had a great chance of beating Widnes last Sunday, but it didn't happen. Now the message to the players has got to be, 'go out against Salford and show everyone what you can really do'. What better way to go out than by causing an upset."

Benson extended his stay in Leigh by a few days to help prepare the team for the Widnes game. "The boys trained really well during the week and I was confident they could do something," he added. "But their confidence on the field is fragile because of what's happened to them this season and it looks like those negative vibes affected them at times on Sunday."

But Benson isn't one to look back and is already a long way down the road towards getting things in place for next season's National League One campaign.

"Things are falling into place nicely and I'm happy with the way things are being done," he added.

He has made his first signing for the club by naming current caretaker coach Heath Cruckshank as his assistant.

"Heath is a very experienced person both at Super League level and in the National Leagues. His knowledge of the game and players in England is second to none and he's made a big impression on me.

"He's not been long retired as a player himself and he has a good rapport with the squad at Hilton Park. He's going to be a huge asset for this club.

"The last few weeks have been tough for him. Not only has he had to train and prepare the squad for this season, he's also had to have one eye on the next campaign. He deserves a great deal of credit for the way he's thrown himself wholeheartedly into both jobs."

The coach says he is also pleased with the way his recruitment plans are going.

"Before I left I targeted 30 players I would like the club to try and sign and they are currently working their way through that list. Within the next two weeks I expect to have some good and positive news on that front."