Agar is hopeful of clinching Siejka’s signing ‘any day soon’

WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats coach Richard Agar is confident the signing of Australian half-back Harry Siejka is imminent.
Richard AgarRichard Agar
Richard Agar

He is looking to secure the 22-year-old in an effort to bolster his creative options after Tim Smith left for Salford Red Devils.

Wakefield have been trying to complete a deal since before Christmas but, it is understood, their initial attempt to register him was denied by the Rugby Football League due to the player’s limited first-grade experience in the NRL.

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Siejka made just four senior appearances for Penrith Panthers in 2011-12 and was unable to muster a solitary game for 
St George-Illawarra after switching Sydney clubs last season.

However, Trinity have appealed and hope the player’s Polish ancestry will gain him a European passport, opening up the pathway to play Super League.

Agar, who is also targeting another outside back and front-row following Lee Smith’s move to Newcastle Falcons, said: “It is no secret if we can secure him a passport or visa we are looking to get him on board.

“It is on-going and we are confident we will get it done. We are hoping it is literally a matter of any day soon.”

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Of course, the Wakefield chief has encountered numerous problems with visas already this off-season given the frustrating dealings for his other NRL recruits Scott Anderson, Matt Ryan and Pita Godinet.

They finally arrived on Sunday night and Agar confirmed yesterday they will all be in his 19-man squad when he names it this afternoon for Trinity’s opening game at Salford.

“They all trained with us on Monday,” he said. “They’re still not fully over the jetlag, but we’re hoping by the time Sunday comes they will be a bit better.

“We are pleased to get them in. Obviously they have missed all of pre-season with us, but the sooner we can get them bedded in and settled I am sure we’ll start to see the benefits.

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“But we’re not expecting miracles from them this week after four sessions.”

Anderson, a prop who won an NRL Grand Final with Melbourne Storm, joins from Brisbane Broncos. He insists there will be no issue with any of them making such a swift debut.

“I am not worried as we are settling in well and training well,” he said. “I can’t see it being a problem. I have enjoyed my time here so far.

“It was frustrating (waiting for a visa), but we are here now and it’s time to get down to business and start playing some football.

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“I’m not worried about anything other than getting out there and doing that.”

Godinet joins from New Zealand Warriors having impressed here with Samoa in the World Cup.

“The hardest thing was training by ourselves back at home,” he said. “That was a bit different, it was a long off-season, but we’ve made it here and were just trying to get used to the boys now in the lead up to the game on Sunday.”

“I’m excited about that and keen as to go out and make my debut and put on a show.”