NRL: Witt switches to rugby - report

Former Warriors rugby league lynchpin Michael Witt will play rugby for Otago this season.

It is expected that the Otago Rugby Union will today confirm Witt's cross-code switch, the RugbyHeaven website said.

It is understood that a deal signed by Witt with the New Zealand Rugby Union and Otago means he will leave the Warriors to join Otago immediately.

The ORU would not confirm the move yesterday, but is expected to announce the signing later today.

Otago Rugby Union chief executive Richard Reid confirmed on Sunday that NZRU contracts manager Chris Tindall had contacted him about Witt, one of the stars of the Warriors' run into last year's NRL playoffs, moving south.

Reid said the ORU knew Witt was keen to make the switch, and NZRU had spoken to them about that.

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 said the club was unlikely to stand in Witt's way.

- NZPA