NRL: Witt confirms switch to rugby

Michael Witt has signed a two-year deal with Otago. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand Warrior Michael Witt has signed to play rugby for Otago, the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) confirmed today.

ORFU chief executive Richard Reid said today details of the deal with the rugby league player had been finalised in the last 24 hours.

Witt has signed a two-year deal with the province and will play for Otago in the Air NZ Cup in 2009 and 2010.

The 25-year-old Warriors standoff, who hails from Toowoomba, Queensland, is an outstanding goal kicker and made his NRL debut in 2003 for the Parramatta Eels before joining Manly, and then the Warriors in 2007.

He missed just one match in his debut Warriors season and also starred in the team's run to the NRL playoffs last year.

"Michael is excited at the opportunity to be playing rugby in Dunedin and we are as well," Reid said.

"He will look to come down and meet the Otago rugby community shortly, he will play club rugby and then join his new team for the Air NZ Cup."

NZRU professional rugby general manager Neil Sorensen said the NZRU had facilitated the deal to bring Witt across to rugby.

"Michael let it be known that he was keen to play rugby in New Zealand so we started exploring the possibilities which has resulted in him signing for Otago.

"The NZRU has also contracted him to cover the potential for him to play Super 14 rugby next year," he added.

Witt has been on the sidelines at the Warriors as they invest time in new signing Joel Moon and rising young playmaker Shaun Johnson.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah has said the club were unlikely to prevent Witt's switching codes.

- NZPA