Former St Helens and Gold Coast Titans back rower Zeb Taia has joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls for the 2021 season.
Taia was a senior member of the St Helens team that won back to back Super League championships in 2019 and 2020.
The Cook Islands representative’s last game of football was the 2020 Super League Grand Final on 27 November, and given his late arrival in the preseason, he will undergo a training block over the next few weeks to prepare for his return to play.
The 186cm second rower has amassed 315 first grade games in the NRL and Super League, including 101 games for the Newcastle Knights and 24 games for the Gold Coast Titans.
Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban said: “Zeb brings strong experience and a winning pedigree to our squad.
“We have quite a young roster, and Zeb will be able to show our aspiring players what it takes to be a full-time footballer with his professionalism, work ethic and approach to training and games. In particular, he will be a great role model for guys like TC Robati, who are working hard to have a career like his.
“We are very fortunate to sign a player of Zeb’s stature, and he will add a lot to our forward pack and team. Importantly, Zeb is a really good character, who lives the values of our Club and we look forward to seeing him on the field this season.”