Huddersfield move for Tongan forward

Huddersfield have signed forward Ukuma Ta’ai from New Zealand Warriors on a three-year deal.

Ta’ai, 25, has made more than 50 appearances in the NRL, and will hook up with the Giants ahead of pre-season training in November.

Head Coach Paul Anderson said: “Ukuma has been on the Giants radar for quite a while and when I heard he may be available for a UK move I earmarked him as a priority signing. He can play at prop or back row and we will work out how to utilise his skills best during the pre season. 

“He is physically a very strong man with natural size and strength which allied to his aggressive style and off loading ability makes him a dangerous Rugby league player. I want players with size and strike as we call it in the game and Ukuma ticks all the boxes.”

Ta’ai has received all the necessary clearance papers from the UK and is now in the process of securing his visa as his commitments to the Warriors are now complete.

He said: “It will be a new adventure for me and my family overseas and Huddersfield have a wonderful reputation here down under now as a good club to be at. They are always in the play offs and I am excited about helping move them forward next year and will be supporting them in this year’s play offs from here at home. 

“I think their style will suit my strengths as will the Super League in general so all we need do now is tie up the paperwork and plan for the move to the UK. It will be sad to leave the Warriors who have been very good to me but the opportunity at Huddersfield excites me and my family.”

The Tongan international is the third new signing to Paul Anderson’s 2013 squad following the mid-season capture of Brett Ferres and prop Anthony Mullally from Widnes.