NEW Giants signing Paul Whatuira is planning to visit the club at the first opportunity.
The Kiwi Test centre jetted into England with the rest of the New Zealand squad at the start of the week.
They have now travelled up to the North of England after attending a reception at Buckingham Palace on Monday.
And Whatuira is already making provision to visit the Galpharm Stadium later in the week.
He has not been considered for the New Zealand All Golds side to face the Northern Union in the Centenary Test at Warrington on Saturday, but is expected to face Great Britain in the opening Test in Huddersfield a week later.
But Whatuira, who was in the Kiwi side thrashed 58-0 by Australia last weekend after fellow centre Steve Matai was sent off midway through the first half, is keen to visit the Galpharm before then.
“Paul is very keen to come and see us,” said Giants football manager Stuart Sheard.
“Hopefully, that will be before the end of the week.
“We’re still waiting to touch base with him since he got here, but we do know he came through the Kangaroos game relatively unscathed, apart from bruised pride, of course!
“But the fact he’s wanting to meet us straight away is a sign of how much he is looking forward to joining us.”
Although Whatuira is not in the All Golds line-up this weekend, new teammates Stephen Wild and David Hodgson were expected to be confirmed in the Northern Union side.
Both men will be hoping to have a good run-out to force their way into Test contention the following week.
Reilly into coaching – Page 44.
