12 May 2013

Cronulla's Bukuya signs with Warriors

5:35 pm on 12 May 2013

The Cronulla back rower Jayson Bukuya will play for the Warriors next season after signing a two-year contract.

Brisbane-born of Fijian descent, Bukuya had the most impressive season of his NRL career last year when he appeared in 23 of the Sharks' 24 regular season games as well as their week one finals loss.

Confirmation of his signing comes just days after the Warriors announced a two-year contract extension for try-scoring record holder Manu Vatuvei through to the end of the 2015 season.

The Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott says Bukuya, who played for Fiji at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, perfectly fits the club's requirements.

Bukuya says while he has business to finish at Cronulla, moving to the Warriors represented a challenge he wanted to take on.

Bukuya made his debut in 2008 soon after his 19th birthday but had only two appearances that year and none at all in two injury-disrupted seasons in 2009 and 2010 before he returned in 2011.

Used predominantly as a starting second rower last season he averaged 68 minutes a match, close to 80 metres and 24 tackles.