Gelling to fill Tomkins' boots at Wigan

Wigan have completed the signing of the player they hope will fill the gap left by the switch of Joel Tomkins to rugby union with Saracens.

They have recruited the 21-year-old, 6ft 1in centre Anthony Gelling from the Auckland Vulcans. He has joined his new team-mates on the flight to Florida for warm weather training.

The Cook Island international is largely unknown in this country, but he arrives with the seal of approval from two illustrious Wigan old boys. "He comes highly recommended to us by Kevin Iro and Dean Bell," said his new coach, Shaun Wane, who sees him as a centre or winger.

"I know the squad is packed full of talent and I will have to work hard to earn the opportunity to show the coaching staff and the fans exactly what I can offer," said Gelling, who has been rebuilding his reputation since leaving the Sydney Roosters, who sacked him for allegedly defecating on a table in a hotel.