Rugby League: Four-year Wigan deal for All Black Tuigamala

WIGAN revealed one of the game's worst-kept secrets with the announcement at yesterday's match that they have signed Va'aiga Tuigamala, the All Black wing, on a four-year deal, writes Dave Hadfield.

Tuigamala will arrive at the club early in the new year, which means he could technically be available to play in the Regal Trophy semi-final at Salford on Saturday week. It is more likely, though, that Wigan will start trying to recoup something on their investment by giving him his debut in an Alliance team match.

Tuigamala, 24, has been a Wigan target for the last two years. He stands to earn around pounds 100,000 a season if Wigan maintain their current success. 'I see him as a centre for us,' John Dorahy, the Wigan coach, said yesterday. 'He has played there for his club in New Zealand and I believe he can form a sensational combination with Gary Connolly.