Warrington Sign Australian Waterhouse
29 June 2011, 13:08 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Warrington Wolves have signed Australian Test second-row forward Trent Waterhouse on a three year deal from next season.
The Wolves confirmed the capture of the 30-year-old Waterhouse after three-quarter Matt King finalised his return to Australia to link up with current Wigan boss Michael Maguire at South Sydney.
The 6ft 4in, 16st 11lb Waterhouse, who played for the Kangaroos in the 2009 Four Nations Series, has been a one-club man for Penrith Panthers, for whom he has so far made 177 appearances.
Warrington coach Tony Smith said:
'He's a high-quality international player who fits our needs and will fit into our structures and our team extremely well.
'He's a big man who likes to offload the ball and is a highly experienced rugby league player who has gained a lot of experience at the highest level.
Waterhouse is expected to be a straight replacement for New Zealander Louis Anderson, who is set to join Catalan Dragons.
'I am delighted to be joining Warrington at this exciting time in the club's history,
'I have heard great things about the club, the players and the fans. I can see big things for the club in the near future and I'm looking forward to getting over there and being part of that.
'The coach and management have outlined a fantastic vision for their future and as such it was the only club I wanted to join in the UK Super League.'
Meanwhile, King cited personal reasons, having become a father for the first time earlier this month, for his decision to leave England after four years.
'Without a doubt the option to stay here in England was quite an attractive one, Warrington is a club that at the moment is close to being, if not the best rugby league club in the country.
'To leave was no easy decision but we do have a little baby girl who we have to think about now.
'It goes without saying what we want to achieve this year. To get back to Wembley for a third straight year would be absolutely wonderful and for us to finish on a positive note would be a fairytale for me but more importantly a fairytale for the ever loyal fans and that's what I'm focusing on.'
Smith added:
'We wish Matt well and know he'll want to go out on the best possible note which is a sign of his character.
'He's been a fantastic influence on our club on and off the field for a number of years and it would be fitting for him to go out on a high.
'We would like to wish him and his family the very best for the future and respect his desire to move back to Australia.'
