Former Southland Stag signs with NRL club
“It’s been a really nice welcome from everyone here at Wests Tigers from the moment I touched down [on Sunday night]."
Former Southland Stags outside back Solomon Alaimalo has signed with NRL club the West Tigers in a move which caught a few by surprise.
After stints with Tasman, Northland, and Waikato Alaimalo he joined his younger brother Charles at the Woodlands Rugby Club in Southland in 2021 and also played for the Stags in the NPC that year.
At the time Alaimalo’s signing was regarded as a major one for the Stags given his attacking abilities and experience at Super Rugby level with the Chiefs and Highlanders.
However, for whatever reason Southland did not see the best of Alaimalo and he probably did not have the impact many had hoped.
The 27-year-old spent two seasons with the Stags, playing 13 games in maroon, before this year heading to Christchurch where he played for Canterbury in the NPC.
On Monday rookie West Tigers coach Benji Marshall announced they have signed Alaimalo and he will join the club’s top-30 roster for the 2024 NRL season.
Alaimalo arrived in Sydney on Sunday evening and had his first session with his new teammates at Wests Tigers’ Zurich Centre on Monday.
Marshall said Alaimalo, who is almost two metres tall, will add a lot to the squad.
“We’re very excited to have Solomon join the club,” Marshall said.
“He is a very explosive athlete with great speed, power, and agility.”
“He will also add leadership and experience to our group, and he is a man of great character.”
Alaimalo said he loved what he’s seen on day one at his new club.
“It’s been a really nice welcome from everyone here at Wests Tigers from the moment I touched down [on Sunday night],” Alaimalo said.
“This place [the Zurich Centre] is amazing and I can’t wait to settle in and get stuck into pre-season training.
“There are a lot of guys in the squad who are from back home, including Benji, so that probably will make it even easier for me to adjust to my new home here at Wests Tigers.”
Alaimalo will return to New Zealand to be with his family for Christmas before relocating to Sydney with his partner and two dogs early in the New Year.