Former Parramatta utility Api Pewhairangi, a former New Zealand Maori representative who played for Ireland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, has joined the Warriors on a one-year NRL contract.
After making four NRL appearances for the Eels in 2013, the 22-year-old Palmerston North-born Pewhairangi spent the 2014 season playing New South Wales Cup football with feeder club Wentworthville.
A decision to register for Vodafone Warriors' New South Wales Cup trial last month has given him a new rugby league destination after he switched from rugby union as a teenager.
"We were well aware of Api's ability after watching him come through the NYC and New South Wales Cup as well as playing some NRL football for the Eels," said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Dean Bell.
"He was a real standout at our New South Wales Cup trial. We immediately invited him to join our squad for offseason training and he has continued to make a big impression which has now resulted in him being contracted."
