Chad Townsend completes mid-season switch to New Zealand Warriors

Half-back Chad Townsend has completed a mid-season switch from Cronulla Sharks to New Zealand Warriors for the rest of the 2021 NRL season.

Townsend, 30, has made 187 first-grade appearances and returns to the Warriors for his second stint.

His deal follows confirmation on Monday that New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has also been secured immediately to the end of the 2024 season.

Head coach Nathan Brown said: “Bringing a player of Chad’s calibre and experience back to the club at this time of the year is terrific for us.

“He has impressed as one of the NRL’s most consistent half-backs throughout his career and he’s a proven performer in big games. We’re certainly delighted we’ve been able to sign him and it’s a real positive that he knows our club so well.”

Townsend made 41 appearances for the club in 2014 and 2015 before returning to Sydney on compassionate grounds.