New Zealand Warriors half Ata Hingano is set to join the Canberra Raiders less than two weeks before the start of the NRL season.
The 20-year-old has been released by the Warriors and is on the verge of finalising a deal to move to Canberra.
Warriors half Ata Hingano looks set to join the Raiders.
Photo: Michael ChambersThe Raiders declined to comment, but Hingano's arrival would add further depth to the Green Machine's playmaker stocks.
He'd join Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Sam Williams and fellow Kiwi Paul Roache at the club.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was considering his options ahead of their round-one clash against the Gold Coast Titans on the Gold Coast on March 11.
While Tonga hooker Siliva Havili looks set to wear the No.9 jersey against the Titans, with England star Josh Hodgson (knee) on the sidelines until at least June, Stuart was weighing up whether to use one of his playmakers off the bench or a second specialist dummy half in Craig Garvey.
Sezer and Austin are off contract at the end of 2018, while Williams is signed until the end of 2019.
Hingano's believed to have been offered a two-year deal.
He played 15 NRL games for the Warriors - all but two of which were last season - and has also played six Tests for Tonga
Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed Hingano's release on New Zealand radio on Wednesday morning.
"Ata obviously had a view with the Blake Green signing that it might have impeded in his pathway forward," George told Radio Sport Breakfast.
"We certainly didn't believe that. We thought it would benefit Ata's long-term future. But in the end of the day we just want Ata to be happy.
"He sought that release and it's been granted. We wish him all the best. He's been a wonderful contributor to the club."
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