Hauraki goes straight in to Widnes squad

New signing Weller Hauraki has gone straight in to the Widnes 19-man squad for their trip to Catalans on Saturday.

Hauraki, 33, moved to the Halton Stadium from Salford earlier this week in a deal that saw Greg Burke and Ed Chamberlain go the other way.

Coach Francis Cummins told the club’s official website: “We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring someone in who has Super League experience and there’s no doubt that he’s going to give us an extra lift and a bit of threat, as well as increasing the competition for places.

“I think leadership is one area that we’ve lost. We’ve had lots of effort, but we haven’t had someone to calm us down and do the right things at the right time. That only comes with experience, which is what Weller will bring.

“It is the senior players that can really guide the younger ones around. We’ve got this deal done now and it’s good to attract a player from a rival club. We’re confident that we’ll be better for it.”

Widnes, who are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Catalans including two visits to Perpignan, also welcome back Rhys Hanbury in to their squad.

However, centre Krisnan Inu and back-rower Chris Houston still haven’t recovered from injury.

Meanwhile, Catalans have made one change to their line-up, with Fouad Yaha coming in for the injured Jodie Broughton.

Catalans 19-man squad: Mead, Wiliame, Yaha, Langi, Casty, Moa, Anderson, Garcia, Bird, Bousquet, Simon, McIlorum, Tierney, Julien, Maria, Gigot, Goudemand, Drinkwater, Edwards.

Widnes 19-man squad: Ah Van, J Chapelhow, T Chapelhow, Craven, Farnworth, Gilmore, Hanbury, Hauraki, Heremaia, Ince, Johnstone, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, Olbison, Runciman, Walker, Whitley, Wilde.