Warriors player Tuimoala Lolohea in action during the NRL Rugby League match between the Warriors and the Newcastle Knights played at Mt Smart Stadium in 2015. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Warriors player Tuimoala Lolohea in action during the NRL Rugby League match between the Warriors and the Newcastle Knights played at Mt Smart Stadium in 2015. Photo / Dean Purcell.
Tuimoala Lolohea could play for the Wests Tigers as soon as Saturday's NRL clash against St George Illawarra after joining his new teammates for training on Monday.
After weeks of lobbying for a release from the New Zealand Warriors, Lolohea was finally let go last week and has now hadhis contract rubber-stamped by the NRL to play this weekend.
The Tigers have formally announced his signing until the end of 2019 today, paving the way for his possible inclusion in the halves when their round 13 team gets named on Tuesday.
Tigers coach Ivan Cleary is delighted to bring Lolohea to the club.
"Tui has shown that he is a player of tremendous natural talent. We look forward to helping him develop, and reach his true potential, in the coming years."
Lolohea, who has played one Test for New Zealand in 2015, is likely to partner Luke Brooks in the halves this season but widely tipped to be the club's long- term solution at fullback.
His arrival is the latest in a flurry of recruitment hits for the once-besieged club, joining former Warrior Russell Packer, current Warrior Ben Matulino, Josh Reynolds and Chris McQueen on the books next year.
The new faces follow the controversial mid-season exit of Mitchell Moses to Parramatta, as well as captain Aaron Woods (Canterbury) and James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) end of the year.
It also means new coach Ivan Cleary's rebuild is in full swing, with first-grade regulars Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee Kam, David Nofoaluma, Moses Suli and Brooks also re-signing this year.
