Smith, a South African-born tighthead prop, is the first player to represent all five Australian Super Rugby franchises after joining the Tahs this week on a one-year deal.

Halaholo is a power-packed Kiwi No.8. who was headhunted by the Waratahs after helping steer Queensland University to a premiership in Brisbane last month.

"Ryan and Lona are two high quality players at different stages in their careers," Coleman said. "They bring credibility to our program.

"It's further proof that you don't have to be in Sydney to make it to the next level. We had Henry Stowers (Brumbies), OJ Noah (Sharks) and Joe Tamani (Waratahs) last year who went on to higher honours.

"We are in talks with a few more and are building well. We definitely want to be pushing for a finals berth.

"We are not here to fill a place in the Shute Shield, we are here to be a force and provide a pathway for players to the next level."

Smith was with the Queensland Reds last season and has played the majority of his 93 Super Rugby games for the Brumbies (51).

"I'm excited at the opportunity to join a club that is just starting out and to assist with establishing a winning culture," he said.

The 31-year-old, who also spent time with the Force and Rebels, joins Newcastle's Harry Johnson-Holmes in the Tahs front-row rotation.

His availability for Shute Shield games will be limited, but Coleman said the veteran planned to "come up to Newcastle as often as possible" and work with props Nick Dobson, Blair Rush, Sam Tufuga, Devante Manu and Isi Fukofuka.

"Ruan wants to get up here as much as he can and do some scrum work," Coleman said. "He really wants to educate and help create a pathway for our young props coming through."

Halaholo, 24, could be available for the start of the Shute, depending on the situation with the Waratahs. At this point, he has a training contract until the end of February.

Wildfires lock Joe Tamani has a similar deal with new Super Rugby outfit Fiji Drua, who are based at Lennox Head.

"For now my focus is the Waratahs and securing a full contract for next season," Halaholo said. "I have been down here training for the past 10 days. It's pretty tough but I'm enjoying it. The aim is to get everyone fit and get the skills up.

"It was good to see players like Henry Stowers and that get contracts. That helped my decision to come and see what it is like in Newcastle."

Halaholo, whose older brother Willis plays for Wales and Cardiff, moved to Brisbane for Auckland at the start of the year.

The Brisbane competition was a step up in speed from Auckland and he expects the Shute Shield to be another level again.

"I have heard stories about the Shute Shield. It is a tough competition with heaps of top quality teams. It will be a good challenge.

"The Wildfires are a new club and I want to see what I can provide to the team."

A damaging ball-runner, he crossed for eight tries in a Reds-laden Queensland University outfit and was a dominant force in the 29-12 grand final win over GPS.

"He came over from New Zealand and set the competition alight," Coleman said. "He is like a young Cliffy Palu (former Wallaby). He is a wrecking ball and will give us go-forward. He is well educated and is a smart kid on and off the field.

"He wants to use us as a stepping stone to higher honours."

READ MORE: FIJAIN TRADES RL WORLD CUP FOR SHOT AT WARATAHS

The Wildfires had climbed to ninth spot, two wins outside the top six, when the Shute Shield was suspended in July.

Coleman has retained the majority of the squad, bar Stowers and Noa. Forward leader Kirk Tufuga and player of the year Nate De Thierry are in Spain but will be back for the start of the Shute Shield.

The Waratahs duo follow the signature of Fiji rugby league representative Luke Nadurutalo, promising Easts back-rower Donny Freeman, Brisbane NRC representative Rob Puli'uvea and Norths fly-half Connor Winchester.

The Wildfires start pre-season training on November 1.

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