Future signing for Warriors
The Warriors are set to make a big name player signing, but it won’t be for this year.
Stuff understands Ben MurdochMasila is expected to join the Auckland-based club, but not until the 2021 season.
The big back-rower is just the type of player the Warriors need, to give them more of a physical presence up the middle of the field.
However, he will remain with Warrington in the Super League this season, before returning to New Zealand. The 28-year-old MurdochMasila was born in Auckland and made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2010, in a playoff game against the Roosters.
He shifted to the Panthers in 2014 where he struggled for game time and in 2016 left Australia to join Salford Red Devils. In 2018, he switched to Warrington and established himself as one of the most imposing forwards in Super League.
He has also been one of the most influential players in Tonga’s rise as a powerhouse in rugby league.
By joining the Warriors Murdoch-Masila will be able to be closer to his family, but he’ll also be able to demonstrate that he’s capable of playing at a high level in the NRL.
Stuff understands negotiations between the Warriors and Murdoch-Masila have been going on for over a month.
While Warriors fans will no doubt rejoice in a player of Murdoch-Masila’s quality joining the club, there could be frustration that it’s not for this season.
There is still a place available on this year’s roster and less than six weeks before the new season begins.
The Warriors management have said they’ve been waiting for the right player to become available and won’t rush into making a signing.
So far, Wayde Egan is the only player who’s joined the Warriors for this season, with the hooker coming to the club from the Panthers. The arrival of MurdochMasila could be seen as part of a significant cleanout of the roster that there will be after this season.
Gerard Beale, Lachlan Burr, Jackson Frei, Blake Green, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, Adam Keighran, Sam Lisone, Taane Milne, Isaiah Papali’i, Leivaha Pulu and Nathaniel Roache are all off contract at the end of the season and a fair few are expected to move on.
The signing of Murdoch-Masila is just the start of what could be a very different looking Warriors squad next year.