http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sia-soon/
FORMER Kiwi Test star Sia Soliola has announced he is returning Down Under sparking a fierce bidding war for his services within the NRL.
The
Storm and
Warriors are believed to be leading the race to sign the former Rooster, with several other clubs also in the hunt.
Soliola has been one of the form players in Super League for the past few seasons, standing out at both centre and back row.
The 11-Test veteran has played the past five seasons in England with glamour club St Helens after 92 games for the
Roosters from 2005-09.
Sia has done his time over there and has decided he wants to come home, Soliolas manager Steve Gillis says of the 27-year-old.
Five years is a long time and he is ready to return to Australia or New Zealand.
He has been playing great football over there on a consistent basis and clubs over here have noticed that.
Without doubt, he has been one of the best players in Super League.
His ability to play in both the forwards and backs is a big plus.
There arent many established players left on the market and so his availability has sparked a fair bit of interest.
The
Warriors and
Storm both have money left in their cap and are in the hunt for an established player to boost their squads.
Born in Auckland of Samoan descent, Soliola was signed by the
Roosters as a teenager and made his debut in 2005 in the centres at the age of only 18 after helping the club to the Premier League title the year before.
Soliola was selected by the Kiwis for international football the same year but had to withdraw through injury, making his Test debut in 2006.
He was a regular in the
Roosters top side in his five seasons at the Chooks and club officials were disappointed when he signed with St Helens for big money at the height of his career.
The hard-running utility captained Samoa at the World Cup last year and his form suggests he would walk back into most clubs in the NRL.
The
Storm are light on experience outside the Big Three and coach Craig Bellamy is believed to be keen to bring a player of Soliolas strength and background to the club.
- TONY ADAMS
