29 May 2017

Tigers confirm Lolohea signed

2:31 pm on 29 May 2017

The Wests Tigers have confirmed the signing of unwanted Warriors utility Tuimoala Lolohea with the 22-year-old taking part in today's training for Saturday's match against the Dragons.

Tuimoala Lolohea in action for the Warriors against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, Homebush, Australia. Sunday 5 September 2015. Photo: Paul Seiser/Photosport.nz

Tuimoala Lolohea in action for the Warriors against the Bulldogs Photo: Photosport

Lolohea has signed a deal with the Tigers through to the end of the National Rugby 2019 season after playing just 53 first grade games over three seasons for the Warriors.

While he partnered Shaun Johnson in the halves last season under former head coach Andrew McFadden, Lolohea fell out of favour with the Warriors current head coach Stephen Kearney.

Early on in the season it was clear Lolohea would struggle for game time in the first grade with Kieran Foran joining Johnson in the halves and captain Roger Tuivasa Sheck the number one choice at fullback.

Lolohea was used in the centres and on the wing by Kearney but his ability to cover various positions went against him and he was forced to play in the reserve grade for most of the first half of the season.

Lolohea, who has played one Test for New Zealand in 2015, is likely to partner Luke Brooks in the halves this season but widely tipped to be the club's long- term solution at fullback.

His arrival is the latest in a flurry of recruitment hits for the once-besieged club, joining Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino and Chris McQueen on the books next year.

The new faces follow the controversial mid-season exit of Mitchell Moses to Parramatta, as well as captain Aaron Woods (Canterbury) and James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) end of the year.

It also means new coach Ivan Cleary's rebuild is in full swing, with first-grade regulars Josh Aloiai, Michael Chee Kam, David Nofoaluma, Moses Suli and Brooks also re-signing this year.

-RNZ/AAP