Saturday 23 May 2015 09:55, UK
Huddersfield have confirmed the signing of prop forward Sam Rapira from New Zealand Warriors.
The Giants have won the race to sign the World Cup winner, who will link up with them in November after agreeing a two-year deal.
And Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson is delighted the 28-year-old has decided to make the move to the Super League club.
Anderson said: "He has played at the very highest level throughout his career and to choose us to spend time with in the UK is great testament to what we have built up over the years here and a clear message of where we want the club to be.
"Sam is a winner and a tough competitor who will enjoy the conditions here after he has finished his outstanding NRL career.
"He had options here and in Australia so we are delighted he has joined our club in the face of a lot of other possibilities.
"He is an out-and-out prop forward and someone who we will look to for the simple but effective and necessary role in getting the side moving forwards and making our middle unit a tough spot to run into."
Rapira, who was in the New Zealand team that beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup final in Brisbane, has been a one-club man for the Warriors.
And Rapira revealed he sought advice from Warriors team-mate and England international Sam Tomkins before finalising his move to England.
"After 10 years at the Vodafone Warriors, I can't wait for the new challenge of playing English Super League," Rapira said.
"I decided to sign up with the Giants because I've heard positive things about the club and they have shown a lot of enthusiasm in getting me over there.
"I'm really grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to working with Paul Anderson and the boys.
"The thought of moving to the other side of the world with our two daughters is a bit daunting but our friends and family have been supportive throughout this process and we are excited to experience a new country and culture.
"We've had lots of advice from Sam Tomkins and his partner Charlotte and it's nice to know that we'll have a few English friends over there in addition to our Kiwi friends."
Confirmation of the signing comes just 24 hours after Leeds announced the signing of Huddersfield prop Anthony Mullally on a three-year deal.
