Wakefield snare former Origin prop Poore

Wakefield have moved for former New South Wales State of Origin prop Justin Poore.

Poore, 27, has signed a two-year deal at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium after spending the past three years with Parramatta in the NRL, and rejected an offer from an unknown club Down Under to move to Wakefield.

He said: “I’ve had almost ten years in the NRL and I wanted a different challenge.

“I’ve always wanted to experience playing in England and Wakefield really appealed to me because it is a very family orientated club.  I probably didn’t think I’d be coming over at this stage in my career but when the opportunity came around I jumped at it because it’s a short career and you never know when it might come around again.”

Poore featured for the Blues in the 2009 Origin series, and previously played alongside Wildcats half-back Tim Smith for the Australian schoolboys.

He has played 178 games in the NRL since making his debut for St George-Illawarra Dragons in 2004.

Wildcats chief executive James Elston said: “This is a major signing for the club and shows our fans that we are in the market for some top quality players.

“Justin is still only 27 and there was an NRL club after his services but he has chosen to come to Wakefield and I think that’s an acknowledgement for the work that has been done, particularly by Richard Agar in creating an environment where players want to come and play for Wakefield.

“We have made no secret that we have been after a big man to lead the pack and Justin certainly is that.  It’s a signing that will get supporters excited and whet the appetite even further for 2013.”