KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Warriors back-rower Louis Anderson is to leave the club after this year's NRL season to join older brother Vinnie at English Super League side Warrington.
The Kiwis international, 21, said the desire to team up with his sibling was behind his decision to sign a two-year deal with the Wolves.
"I've had a great time with the Warriors and I owe a lot to them for giving me my break in rugby league," he said.
"But I was really keen to play alongside Vinnie once again. We had a year together at the Warriors in 2004 and we were also teammates in the Kiwis that year.
"We're a tight family and this is probably the last chance I'll have to play in the same team as him [Vinnie Anderson is 28 next month]. It's really important to me."
Anderson, who has played 57 matches for the Warriors since 2004, said he wanted to make a decision before the NRL season.
"Because I'm off contract this year I didn't want to be distracted about this during the NRL season.
"By making an announcement now it's out of the way and I can concentrate on making sure I have the best season I can possibly have."
Anderson stressed he wanted to return to the Warriors in the future.
"I'm only 21, I want to play in the NRL again and the only club I'd want to play for would be the Warriors."
After playing 13 consecutive tests since his New Zealand debut in 2004, Anderson was forced to miss the 2006 Tri-Nations after having surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot.
"I really want to get back into the Kiwis this year, but to do that I know I'll have to play well, so that's even more motivation this season."
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club was disappointed to lose Anderson.
"Louis is an example of what we are striving to achieve in developing local players into first-graders and internationals," he said.
"But we understand how much his family means to him and why he wants to play alongside Vinnie again.
"We also appreciate Louis has made this decision early. It gives us more time to plan for his replacement."
- NZPA
