Warrington confirm departure of Ben Murdoch-Masila
New Zealand Warriors have signed Warrington back-rower Ben Murdoch-Masila on a three-year contract from 2021.
The 29-year-old has been a revelation in the UK, scoring 40 tries in 115 Super League matches for Salford and Warrington. He has earned 11 caps for Tonga on the international scene.
Murdoch-Masila said: “Over the three years that I’ve been here we have had pretty much the same squad so we are really close.
“I will definitely miss the boys. I will miss the fans too and the atmosphere they create for us; it is unreal, the passion they share with us in the good and bad times.
“I’ve always left the door open for the opportunity of an NRL comeback though. My daughter has spent her life here and all she knows is the Wire. When this opportunity came around I couldn’t say no to taking her home to meet mine and Roxy’s families.
“I want to thank all at the club for what they have done for not only me but for my wife and daughter too. They’ve gone above and beyond for us and after a tough first two seasons for me, and a not so good start, I will do whatever it takes to help repay what the Wire has done for me and do my best for the remainder of the year. To be remembered as the Tongan beast.”
Warrington coach Steve Price added: “Ben and I have been in regular dialogue with regards to the attention he has had from back home.
“We felt we put a good offer as a club to Ben but he felt it was time to go back to be closer to his family which I fully understand.
“One thing I do know about Ben is that he will give everything he has got for this season; he has made that commitment to all our team. We have still got eight months of hopefully some fantastic rugby from the big fella.
“It’s the first time, really, since he arrived here that he is injury free so we are really excited to see what that holds for us.”
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