Former Kiwi international Frank-Paul Nu’uausala has told Western Suburbs coach Matt Lantry he will be in Newcastle by the end of next week and will attend the club’s first pre-season training session on January 16.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a huge boost to the Rosellas for this season’s Newcastle Rugby League premiership, Nu’uausala’s family is already living in town and he has verbally agreed to terms.
“He is back in England to finalise a few things at Wigan but we met with him a few days after Christmas when he was over here and it’s all systems go,”Lantry said.
“He’s told me he will be here for our first training session and now it is just a matter of sorting out a contract.
“Whether he wants to sign for one, two or three years – that will be up to him but he’ll have that opportunity.”
Confirmation the 30-year-old former Sydney Roosters and Canberra forward, who played 184 NRL games and 15 Tests, is on board at the Rosellas will come as a relief to the club.
Lantry admitted Wests did not make a play for former NRL players Joel Edwards and Adam Clydsdale because they were committed to the Nu’uausala signing.
“Had we have missed Frank-Paul after not entering the market for either Edwards or Clydsdale, it would have left us in a bit of a spot,”he said.
Edwards has subsequently linked with Lakes United while Clydsdale will turn out for Maitland this season.
Wests will meet Central in the opening round in April.
