UKUMA TA’AI is on his way to the Huddersfield Giants and they have Holme Valley MP Jason McCartney to thank for that!

A delay in processing his work permit meant the former New Zealand Warriors back-row forward  has been unable to link-up with his new teammates.

But the club’s big new signing finally received the green light this morning and is hoping to arrive  in England by the end of the week, although it’s unlikely he’ll arrive in time to be considered for the  trip to St Helens in Huddersfield’s Super League XVIII opener on Saturday.

“The news from Manilla in respect of Ukuma is very good for everyone concerned, not least for  Ukuma and his family who have a had a worrying time,” said Giants managing director Richard  Thewlis.

“He is in receipt of an e-mail confirming all is in order and that his visa has been granted, so the  process now is simply to wait for his passport to be returned to him from Manilla and he can then  board the plane to England.

“I must also thank Jason McCartney MP and Mark Ramsdale (group secretariat All  Parliamentary Rugby League group) for their assistance and advice over the past few weeks, all  of which have helped us arrive at the position where Ukuma will shortly be wearing the claret and  gold and available for selection by head coach Paul Anderson.”