BLAKE Wallace is itching to start the next chapter of his career, insisting there are no open wounds from the painful ending of his Toronto adventure.

Aussie Wallace and wife Kelley have spent a first Christmas in the UK after arriving in Leigh just before the holidays.

The 28-year-old half-back spent three and a half seasons at the Wolfpack, scoring Toronto’s first ever try in 2017, one of nearly half a century for the Canadian club.

So, it was extra painful for him when Toronto imploded and finally lost their Super League status last year.

However, the one-time Sydney airport handyman said: “I never fell out of love with the game.

“I love waking up, going into training and being around the boys.

“This is something I have wanted to do since I was five years old. I love rugby league and love being in that environment

“Yes, there were issues with Toronto and by the end of it, I’d had enough.

“But I never fell out of love with the game and I am lucky enough to have this opportunity to sign with Leigh.

“I am grateful for the chance and want to repay them by playing some good footie.

“There were few offers and I had to figure what was going to be best for me and my partner.

“I am confident I made the right decision. It is a fresh start and I am really excited by the challenge.

“With the squad we have got, we are not going to be a team that is there just to make up the numbers.”

Wallace has never played in the NRL and was with the Illawarra Cutters in the New South Wales Cup when Wolfpack gave him his chance of a big break.

So, it was a big moment to make first grade last season when Toronto touched down for an ill-feted spell in Super League.

“The speed of the game was a lot quicker than we had been used to in previous seasons but it is the level I want to play at,” he explained.

“I really enjoyed the battle of going up against the best players week in, week out. I am looking forward to that challenge again this year.

“For me, it is about being consistent, simply trying to be better than I was the week before.”

Wallace has settled quickly in Leigh and took part in several training sessions before the Christmas break.

“I have been made to feel very welcome and I really enjoy being part of the club,” he said.

“This time last year I was in Australia where you eat sea food on Christmas Day.

“But I am really looking forward to ripping in and I am confident we can have a good year together.”