The Vodafone Warriors have confirmed hooker Siliva Havili will be released at the end of the 2015 NRL season to take up a contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The 22-year-old was signed until the end of next season but will leave as the club continues to realign its NRL squad for the 2016 season and beyond.
“We have Issac Luke coming as our No 1 hooker next year, we also have Thomas (Leuluai) who can fill the role and we’ve just extended young Nathaniel Roache to the end of the 2017 season,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden.
“We’re happy to see Siliva have an opportunity to develop with another club but for now he’s very much part of our plans for the rest of this season.”
There is also still an opportunity for veteran hooker Nathan Friend to remain after the club made him a one-year offer for 2016.
Havili, who played more than 50 NYC games for the club from 2011-2013, made his NRL debut last year and appeared in his 11th match in yesterday’s loss to the Sydney Roosters.
He has played extensively in the New South Wales Cup, appearing for the Auckland Vulcans in 2012 and 2013 and also making 29 appearances for the Vodafone Warriors since the club took over the side last year.
Havili made his Kiwi debut in last year’s Anzac Test and was in the 2014 Four Nations squad although he didn’t play a game in the tournament.
