NRL: Fien signs with Dragons

Nathan Fien

Unwanted New Zealand Warrior Nathan Fien has signed a three-year contract with National Rugby League rivals the St George Illawarra Dragons.

World Cup-winning Kiwis halfback Fien revealed this morning he had secured his future beyond this season, which will be his last at the Warriors after the club told him he did not figure in their long-term plans.

The 29-year-old Queenslander, who has played 105 games for the Warriors since joining them in 2005, wanted to remain in Auckland.

However, a three-year deal and the prospect of playing under coaching legend Wayne Bennett at the Dragons was an excellent outcome after a "couple" of NRL clubs had shown interest.

"I nearly went to the Broncos earlier in my career and now I've got an opportunity to go and play underneath him (Bennett)," Fien told Radio Sport.

"It's something I always wanted to do and they're playing some really good football this year.

"And Wollongong is a little bit out of Sydney, it's a bit quieter and family-orientated."

Fien had investigated playing in the British Super League, having reportedly been offered a A$450,000-a-season contract by Huddersfield.

However, a superior lifestyle in Australia and a crackdown on tax benefits for players in England had been turnoffs.

Fien, whose initial ineligibility for the Kiwis dominated the headlines in 2006, has been in a state of flux at the Warriors for more than a year.

He was originally told to sound out NRL or English Super League clubs last year when it became apparent Stacey Jones - the league icon he replaced at Warriors and then international level - was contemplating a comeback.

Fien opted to play out the final year of his contract, hoping a good showing at the World Cup would enhance his prospects of staying in Auckland.

He will join fellow-Australian halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli in departing as the Warriors rely on Jones to guide them this season and possibly beyond.

Fien hoped his signing wouldn't affect his prospect of making a return to the 11th-placed Warriors' side this season. He was dropped from the squad which lost heavily in Canberra on Sunday.

"If my form is good enough and warrants selection... I'm sure they'll select me," he said.

"I'm still here with the Warriors until the end of the year. Seasons go through their ups and downs and at the moment we're in a bit of a down. Hopefully I can get back into first grade and help the boys out and finish my time over here in New Zealand strongly."

Fien said he didn't want the memory of his last Warriors game to be the 34-12 loss to his former club, the North Queensland Cowboys, two weeks ago.

- NZPA