KEY POINTS:
Prop Herman Retzlaff has been signed by the New Zealand Warriors after being on trial during the National Rugby League club's off-season and pre-season training programme.
The Apia-born former Pakuranga junior has been secured for the 2008 season with an option for 2009.
"It's the best move I've made coming home to join the Warriors," Retzlaff said in a statement.
"I'm enjoying everything about it - being at this club and being back among family."
The move to the Vodafone Warriors has reunited Retzlaff with three players who were team-mates in the New Zealand under-16 team in 2003 - Sam Rapira, Sonny Fai and Patrick Ah Van.
It was on that tour that Retzlaff, 20, who was at Mt Albert Grammar School at the time, was spotted by Wests Tigers and signed up on a two-year scholarship at Keebra Park State High School on Queensland's Gold Coast.
He spent 2004 and 2005 at Keebra Park and was selected for the Queensland under-17 side in 2004, only to be forced to withdraw with injury.
Retzlaff then spent two years with Wests Tigers in 2006 and 2007.
He mainly played Jersey Flegg football for one of the franchise's feeder clubs but also had one game for Balmain Ryde in the New South Wales Premier League competition last year.
Last Saturday Retzlaff made his first appearance for the Warriors in their 50-0 win against the Auckland Vulcans.
- NZPA
