Ralph who last played for the club back in 1997 said it was great to be playing for the club once more.
"My father is a staunch member of the club and it was great to play along side some of the cousins who are in the team."
It was reported last week Ralph was close to signing for East Coast for this season's Heartland Championships.
East Coast coach Ngarimu Simpkins told the New Zealand Herald, he was confident Ralph would play for his side this season.
"We're rapt that he wants to play for the Coast," said Simpkins. "He likes the culture of the Coast and we've no doubt he will fit in with the boys and be a hit with our supporters.
"This has got to be one of the biggest signings, if not the biggest, for a Heartland team."
A former New Zealand sevens player, Ralph won a Commonwealth Games gold in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, he confirmed he had talked with East Coast coaching staff and was interested in the proposal but hadn't yet finalised anything.
Ralph who began his first class career with the Steamers said he hadn't ruled out playing for the Steamers as well.
At the weekend Ralph showed he hadn't lost any of his class in his first hit out for Whaka. Playing at fullback, he chimed into the backline causing havoc and stretching Rotoiti's defence.
Whaka's next outing is against Opotiki at Puarenga Park on Saturday.
