Wakefield welcome Poore signing

Wakefield hailed "their biggest signing in years" after completing the capture of former New South Wales Origin forward Justin Poore.

The 27-year-old Parramatta prop has agreed a two-year deal to join the Wildcats for the start of the 2013 season. Poore has made 178 appearances in the NRL, initially with St George Illawarra, and appeared in all three games of the 2009 Origin series for the Blues.

"This is a major signing for us and shows our fans that we are in the market for some top-quality players," said Wakefield chief executive James Elston. "Justin is still only 27 and there was an NRL club after his services but he has chosen to come to Wakefield."

He added: "We have made no secret that we have been after a big man to lead the pack and Justin certainly is that. It's a signing that will get supporters excited and whet the appetite even further for 2013."

The 6ft 2in, 17st Poore, whose father was born in England, played alongside Wildcats scrum-half Tim Smith for the Australian schoolboys.

"I've had almost 10 years in the NRL and I wanted a different challenge," said Poore. "I've always wanted to experience playing in England and Wakefield really appealed to me because it is a very family-orientated club.

"I probably didn't think I'd be coming over at this stage in my career, but when the opportunity came around I jumped at it because it's a short career and you never know when it might come around again.

"I'd probably say the decisive factor for me was Richard Agar. Some coaches can be very ruthless with how they speak to players but the way he spoke to me he convinced me to come to Wakefield."

Poore is Wakefield's second close-season signing following the acquisition of Hull winger Reece Lyn, while the club concluded a deal to keep Bradford stand-off Paul Sykes following his successful loan spell.