Junee have continued their impressive preparation for the Group Nine season by securing the signature of Tui Samoa.
The 34-year-old utility will make the switch from Group Nine rivals Young fresh from representing the United States in the Rugby League World Cup.
Samoa’s switch continues a strong off-season by the Diesels, who snared former State of Origin player Dane Nielsen as coach.
The Deisels have now added Nielsen, Samoa plus front rowers Isaac Maliota and Pene Tamate and are still in talks with a couple more.
“Things look alright and are starting to come into place,” Junee president Simon Vanzanten said.
“I said when I took over I wanted us to have a crack at winning it. I want us to try and knock off Southcity.”
Samoa has made an immediate impression at his new club and has taken pre-season training alongside Vanzanten until Nielsen arrives.
He will also coach Junee’s leaguetag team.
Samoa could find himself at lock in a Junee team that already boasts the likes of Trent Schubach, Hayden Diggins, Matt Hands and Daniel Foley.
“It depends on how the team pans out but he and Trent could both either play lock or hooker,” Vanzanten said.
Nielsen, a two-time NRL premiership player with Melbourne Storm, is expected in Junee next week when he returns from overseas.
He arrives with 118 NRL games experience for five different clubs as well as three State Of Origin games for Queensland.
The Diesels will kick off their 2018 campaign at next month’s West Wyalong Knockout.
They are also considering a tilt at the nines pre-season competition in Canberra in preparation for the start of the Group Nine competition on April 7.
Vantzanten hopes the club will be in a position to announce further recruits within the next couple of weeks.
Meantime, Junee will hold a meeting at Laurie Daley Oval at 6.30pm on Wednesday night about getting an under 16 team going for this year’s competition.
