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Former Warrior Solomone Kata has quit rugby league and will take up a two-year deal with the Brumbies in Super Rugby.
The 24-year-old was given a release from his contract midway through this season after losing his spot at centre to Patrick Herbert.
He moved to the Storm, but failed to make it into their NRL team, spending the rest of the year playing for their feeder club Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup.
Kata elected to leave Melbourne Storm after not taking up his NRL contract option for 2020.
"I've really enjoyed my time here at Storm and made some good friends over the past few months," Kata said.
"However another opportunity has come up that I'm keen to explore so I won't be with the club next year.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Storm for making me feel so welcome and wish the boys all the best in 2020."
That opportunity is to play for the Brumbies and return to the code he excelled in before signing with the Warriors.
The Brumbies are expected to announce that Kata has signed a two-year deal with them and they will be hoping he makes a similar impact that Ngani Laumape made when he left the Warriors in 2015 to return to rugby.
Kata would eventually be eligible to play for the Wallabies, although he will have to wait five years, so may decide to represent Tonga.
Kata played 93 games for the Warriors and up until this season was one of their more consistent players.
But he started 2019 playing poorly and was relegated to the NSW Cup team.
Once Herbert took his opportunity in the first grade team, it was apparent that there was no way back for Kata.
He chose to switch to the Storm, even though it appeared long odds to make it into Craig Bellamy's NRL team.
Storm General Manager - Football Frank Ponissi thanked Kata for his efforts.
"Although Sol wasn't able to break into our minor premiership-winning team, he proved to be a popular squad member who was always willing to help his new teammates get the best preparation possible for their NRL match each week, as well as doing his job with the Tigers," he said.
"He leaves us with our best wishes for the future."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...or-solomone-kata-quits-storm-to-join-brumbies
The 24-year-old was given a release from his contract midway through this season after losing his spot at centre to Patrick Herbert.
He moved to the Storm, but failed to make it into their NRL team, spending the rest of the year playing for their feeder club Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup.
Kata elected to leave Melbourne Storm after not taking up his NRL contract option for 2020.
"I've really enjoyed my time here at Storm and made some good friends over the past few months," Kata said.
"However another opportunity has come up that I'm keen to explore so I won't be with the club next year.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Storm for making me feel so welcome and wish the boys all the best in 2020."
That opportunity is to play for the Brumbies and return to the code he excelled in before signing with the Warriors.
The Brumbies are expected to announce that Kata has signed a two-year deal with them and they will be hoping he makes a similar impact that Ngani Laumape made when he left the Warriors in 2015 to return to rugby.
Kata would eventually be eligible to play for the Wallabies, although he will have to wait five years, so may decide to represent Tonga.
Kata played 93 games for the Warriors and up until this season was one of their more consistent players.
But he started 2019 playing poorly and was relegated to the NSW Cup team.
Once Herbert took his opportunity in the first grade team, it was apparent that there was no way back for Kata.
He chose to switch to the Storm, even though it appeared long odds to make it into Craig Bellamy's NRL team.
Storm General Manager - Football Frank Ponissi thanked Kata for his efforts.
"Although Sol wasn't able to break into our minor premiership-winning team, he proved to be a popular squad member who was always willing to help his new teammates get the best preparation possible for their NRL match each week, as well as doing his job with the Tigers," he said.
"He leaves us with our best wishes for the future."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...or-solomone-kata-quits-storm-to-join-brumbies
