Whatuira makes NRL return with Eels

New Zealand international Paul Whatuira has returned to the NRL after signing a one-year agreement with Parramatta.

The 29-year-old former Penrith player joins from Huddersfield Giants and will fill the gap left by the departure of troubled centre Timana Tahu.

He has 16 tests for New Zealand under his belt and scored 22 tries during his 55-game stint in Super League with the Giants.

Whatuira is the third signing the Eels have made from clubs in Super League, after Chris Hicks and Casey McGuire joined from Warrington and Catalans respectively.

“Paul Whatuira is a proved international performer who brings class and experience to our backline and at 29 still has some good NRL football in him,” said Parramatta CEO Paul Osborne.

“We expect to get good mileage out of our experienced recruits like the three players who have returned from England and Carl Webb, Chris Walker and Reni Maitua who come to the club with points to prove and undoubted ability to still make an impact in the NRL.”