Weller has signed a 3 year deal with Leeds after he didn't take up his optional 2nd year with Celtic
He joins Froggy Delaney and Kylie Leuluai at the club.
That's massive for him, he almost took out the best and fairest award for Celtic and scored I think 10 tries this season.
www.superleague.co.uk
Leeds Rhinos have signed 25-year-old New Zealand Maori star Weller Hauraki from Crusaders RL on a three year contract.
The forward will join the Rhinos with immediate effect and has been awarded the number 20 squad number for the 2011 season. He will start pre-season training with the Rhinos on Monday morning along with the rest of the senior players and completes the Rhinos overseas quota for next season.
Commenting on the announcement Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, We are delighted to be adding such an outstanding player to our squad. Weller handled the transition from NRL to Super League really well last season with the Crusaders and his explosive running and tough defence will help the team.
Head Coach Brian McDermott added, We are looking forward to having Weller with us on Monday to start pre-season training. He is a player with plenty of potential who spent a long time with Parramatta in his formative years before coming over to the UK last season. He will give us options in our pack and is a valuable addition to our squad.
Hauraki, who played against England for the New Zealand Maori last month in New Zealand, is excited about the prospect of playing for the Rhinos. He commented, I had looked at the option of going back home to the NRL but when the option came up to join the Rhinos, I was really excited about the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a great opportunity for me and my family to move to Leeds. I know Brett Delaney and Kylie Leuluai from my time at Parramatta but I am really looking forward to training and playing alongside the quality players that are here at the Rhinos.
I had the chance to play against England with the Maori and that was a great honour for me. That gave me a taste of international rugby and I want to prove here at Leeds Rhinos that I can play at the highest level and hopefully put myself in the minds of the New Zealand selectors through my performance.
Leeds is a massive club and I have been really impressed by the set up here. I enjoyed my first season in Super League with the Crusaders last year and I think I will be better for that experience this season. I can not wait to get started with the boys and get the chance to play for Leeds Rhinos, added Hauraki.
He joins Froggy Delaney and Kylie Leuluai at the club.
That's massive for him, he almost took out the best and fairest award for Celtic and scored I think 10 tries this season.
www.superleague.co.uk
Leeds Rhinos have signed 25-year-old New Zealand Maori star Weller Hauraki from Crusaders RL on a three year contract.
The forward will join the Rhinos with immediate effect and has been awarded the number 20 squad number for the 2011 season. He will start pre-season training with the Rhinos on Monday morning along with the rest of the senior players and completes the Rhinos overseas quota for next season.
Commenting on the announcement Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, We are delighted to be adding such an outstanding player to our squad. Weller handled the transition from NRL to Super League really well last season with the Crusaders and his explosive running and tough defence will help the team.
Head Coach Brian McDermott added, We are looking forward to having Weller with us on Monday to start pre-season training. He is a player with plenty of potential who spent a long time with Parramatta in his formative years before coming over to the UK last season. He will give us options in our pack and is a valuable addition to our squad.
Hauraki, who played against England for the New Zealand Maori last month in New Zealand, is excited about the prospect of playing for the Rhinos. He commented, I had looked at the option of going back home to the NRL but when the option came up to join the Rhinos, I was really excited about the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a great opportunity for me and my family to move to Leeds. I know Brett Delaney and Kylie Leuluai from my time at Parramatta but I am really looking forward to training and playing alongside the quality players that are here at the Rhinos.
I had the chance to play against England with the Maori and that was a great honour for me. That gave me a taste of international rugby and I want to prove here at Leeds Rhinos that I can play at the highest level and hopefully put myself in the minds of the New Zealand selectors through my performance.
Leeds is a massive club and I have been really impressed by the set up here. I enjoyed my first season in Super League with the Crusaders last year and I think I will be better for that experience this season. I can not wait to get started with the boys and get the chance to play for Leeds Rhinos, added Hauraki.
