The Toronto Wolfpack have announced the signing of Reni Maitua, with the 35-year-old veteran coming out of retirement to join the club.
Toronto Wolfpack Head Coach Paul Rowley was delighted to welcome on board an important signing of undoubted experience and class for the second time in his coaching career. He said:
"We’ve brought in Reni Maitua out of retirement and we believe he can be a great addition to the squad," said Wolfpack Head Coach Paul Rowley.
"Having originally signed him at Leigh, I’m very happy to bring him in. There’s no pressure on Reni, he comes into a strong squad and with him it just gets that little bit stronger.
"We believe a stint with the Wolfpack gives him the perfect amount of time to develop that fire in his belly and I know he can’t wait to get started."
Rowley was excited about what qualities Maitua would naturally bring on the field but was just as positive about the influence he would have on the club off it.
“He can fill a number of positions and he’s a smart footballer, people will benefit from his presence around the club," he continued.
“He has a wealth of experience in the game and he’s played for Australia which will put us in a good place both on and off the field.”
Maitua admitted he was shocked to get another shot to play rugby league but was excited at the opportunity to come back to the sport where he made his name.
“I felt surprise and shock when Paul (Rowley) reached out to me. I asked for 24 hours to think about it but after talking to my family and friends I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity.
“I’ve just finished an eight-week camp and made my professional boxing career debut so I have a different base of fitness.
“I have been retired for over a year but I always wondered if I retired prematurely. I’m currently seven kilos lighter than when I retired in 2016, purely because of boxing and I hope to play a role both on and off the field for this new venture.
“Regardless of my age, I have a lot of dogfight still in me and I can’t wait to meet my teammates and finish what Paul Rowley had started back in 2016.”