Saints sign Puletua

[josie andrews]

St Helens have secured the services of New Zealand international prop Tony Puletua for next season.


Saints were one of just two Super League sides not to make any additions to their squad for this season, but they have already made one new signing for 2009 in the shape of Puletua.

The 28-year-old has secured an early release from Penrith Panthers in order to sign a three-year deal with Saints.

It is the second new move for next year by the club, after Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter agreed to become Daniel Anderson's successor for 2009.

"Tony is very keen to come here and I think it will give him a new lease of life," said St Helens chairman Eamon McManus.

"He's a very large individual and extremely athletic with good ball-handling skills - just what our pack needs."

Puletua was also being watched by Super League rivals Hull and Huddersfield, but has opted for a move to Knowsley Road.

Puletua said the decision was made with his family in mind and he is now looking forward to making a new start in England.

"There comes a time you've got to make the best decision for yourself and your family," he said. "I feel this is the one for me.

"It's a new start and new opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to it."

An experienced prop with over 190 appearances for the Panthers since making his debut in 1997, he was a member of their Grand Final-winning team in 2003.


Samoa switch

After 19 caps for New Zealand Puletua switched to Samoa and helped them to qualify for the World Cup in Australia.

Penrith general manager Michael Leary said: "Tony has been a great ambassador for the Panthers. It will be sad to see him leave and we wish him and his family all the best.

"I know Tony will play out the rest of the season by producing some of his best football for the Panthers."

[shawcross da warrior]

cracking buy for saints that seeing as they cant get any massive stars...

and aswell as fozzard going at the end of the season good news for there fans...









FEKA'S GUNNA GET YA...

[ancientnloyal]

Puletua - sounds like a Victorian disease of the diaphragm

[exile in Tiger country]

From what I remember (not got setanta so no Aus games now) Tony isn't as good as his brother (or possibly cousin) Frank Puletua.
Still a good signing though. Unfortunately!

[pedro]

Tony is the better of the 2

[cpwigan]

He is very talented but equally inconsistent. I would liken him to Ali Lauatiti at Leeds.

[platt-warrior]

Except he dosnt have the offloading talent of Ali.

[butt monkey]

Wigan were allegedly after him a few years ago (about the same time as we were also linked with Richard Villiasanti - who later "joined" London, however his career has been somewhat even more inconsistent since then - hence his offloading by the Panthers.