Maitua wait over for Fev

Featherstone’s high profile close season signing Reni Maitua will be arriving in the UK over the weekend after having his visa approved.

Maitua, 32, made 174 appearances in the NRL for Canterbury, Cronulla and Parramatta, and joined Featherstone on a two-year deal before Christmas.

The Samoa international, who played in last season’s Four Nations, will be boarding a flight to the UK on Friday and will arrive in time for Rovers’ Championship game against Sheffield on Monday evening.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m delighted everything has been approved and I’m buzzing about coming to the UK. It’s been a long process and the last few days have been quite anxious but this is fantastic news. 

“I’ve been keeping up to date with what’s been happening at the club and I’ve been speaking to Pat on a weekly basis. I just can’t wait to get started now and meet my new teammates and the coaching staff.

“It’s felt a long time for me over here waiting to get everything sorted and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience. I was really hoping I’d be here for the start of the season and then I thought there was a chance that I’d be over in time to face Leigh Centurions and my mate Fuifui Moimoi but unfortunately that wasn’t to be. 

“He’s a good friend of mine so I’ll look forward to facing him later on in the season and I know he’s already got a bit of a cult following!”