World Cup winner joins Newtown Jets

Drew Darbyshire

Former New Zealand forward Greg Eastwood has joined New South Wales Cup side Newtown Jets for the 2019 season.

It is believed to be one of the biggest signings in the history of the NSW Cup, similar to that of Mark O’Meley joining the Wyong Roos a couple of years ago.

Eastwood has signed exclusively with the Jets and will bring a wealth of experience to the club, having earned 28 caps for New Zealand as well as making 263 first-grade club appearances.

The Jets will hope to go one better in 2019 and win the Cup as they fell short to Canterbury Bulldogs last term, with Eastwood playing for the Bulldogs that day.

Eastwood made his NRL debut in 2005 for Brisbane Broncos, where he played 65 games. He then spent a season at the Bulldogs in 2009, before spending a year at Leeds Rhinos in Super League, making 21 appearances.

The front-rower then re-joined Canterbury, where he spent eight seasons, before signing for Newtown.

Eastwood won the World Cup with the Kiwis in 2008, playing in every single one of their games that tournament.