Warriors poised to announce Hiku signing

Sep 9, 2017 - 10:55 PM The Warriors appear poised to add another fringe Kiwis international to their roster for 2018 after Peta Hiku gained clearance to leave Warrington.

The nine-Test Kiwis international was granted a Super League release on compassionate grounds by Warrington, who wished Hiku well at the Warriors.

The Auckland club are still to confirm Hiku's signature, having announced the snaring of another fringe Kiwis back - Gerard Beale - from Cronulla earlier in the week.

Reports have previously said Hiku, 24, was negotiating a three-season contract at the Warriors.

Warrington coach Tony Smith paid tribute to the former Manly and Penrith utility back after the English club secured their Super League status for next year with a 32-30 win over Leigh.

He said Hiku would leave at the end of the season for "family reasons", having joined in July after cutting short his second season with the Panthers.

"I'm grateful Peta came over, he's been been sensational since he came here, he's a terrific rugby player," Smith said.

"But family comes first, it's tough to move away having done it myself and we support all his family in the decision which we respect and understand."

Hiku is a former Warriors junior, who was named the club's under-20 player of the year in 2012.

He left the following season for a three-term stint at Manly.

Hiku's last Test was more than two years ago, with injuries having proved problematic since then.

Source: AAP