League: Warriors sign Tigers winger Crockett

Wests Tigers winger Michael Crockett will join the New Zealand Warriors next season on a two-year National Rugby League contract.

In announcing his signing today, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Crockett's arrival would give his team greater depth among their outside backs.

The 23-year-old New South Welshman was restricted to premier league football last year after joining Wests Tigers from Melbourne.

But he made a try-scoring NRL debut for the 2005 premiers this year when they opened their title defence with a win against St George Illawarra on March 10.

That sparked a run in which he snared seven tries in his first eight NRL appearances.

"I want to have the chance to play first-grade on a regular basis and that's what I'm aiming to achieve at the Warriors," Crockett said in a statement.

The who is equally at home in the centres or on the wing has been playing centre for Balmain Ryde in Sydney's premier league after recently returning from a lay-off with a hand injury.

"The Warriors have shown a lot of improvement this year. There's huge potential at the club and I'm keen to be part of it."

Clearly said pace was one of Crockett's key attributes.

Crockett's signature follows the recent re-signing of another winger, 19-year-old Cooper Vuna.

With Crockett and Vuna secured, the club will start 2007 with a quintet of wingers boasting NRL experience. The others are Manu Vatuvei, Patrick Ah Van and Todd Byrne.

Crockett joins Wade McKinnon (Parramatta), Michael Witt (Manly) and Aidan Kirk (Sydney Roosters) as newcomers to the Warriors squad for next season.

- NZPA