Tigers outside back Luke Laulilii reportedly set to join Warriors
The Warriors are reportedly making moves to sign a Wests Tigers outside back before the June 30 deadline.
Players can switch teams mid-season before next Tuesday’s deadline and Luke Laulilii may hop across the Tasman and take on a new role.
Laulilii has a contract with the Perth Bears from next season, but Code Sports has reported the Warriors want to take him on for the remainder of the season.
Despite falling down the pecking order at the Tigers, 20-year-old Laulilii could feature for the Warriors in the next few weeks because of multiple injuries to their outside backs.
The deal is reportedly due to be finished over the weekend if Laulilii passes a medical.
The New Zealand-based side has been hit with three major long-term injuries so far this season.
Dally M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s farewell season to the club was cut short with an ACL injury, while halfback Tanah Boyd also went down with the same problem in the club’s Magic Round game against the Brisbane Broncos.
This week, forward Jackson Ford was ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a pectoral tear, bringing an end to his stellar season.
The 28-year-old was taken off the field after 20 minutes in the Warriors’ 38-20 win over the Cowboys in Christchurch, with the club later confirming the extent of his injury.
The Warriors will play the Dolphins this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane without the trio, but Tanner Stowers-Smith will come into the front row alongside captain Mitchell Barnett.
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris (calf), second rower Leka Halasima (hamstring) and winger Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira (leg) are all still out with injury, but Kurt Capewell and Sam Healey return to the matchday squad.
The last time the teams met was on Anzac Day when the Warriors held on for a 20-18 win.