To be fair, both Purts and Keith were playing regularly in the NRL, which is a fair quality guide in itself. But you're right, he does look a decent prospect and if he arrives looking to improve then he can only be good for us.

Only 4 1st grade games, but a decent junior record - scored 17 tries for the Warriors u20's 2011 premiership winning team, junior Kiwi. as for the standard: just look at the Newtown coaching staff, you could put out a full team from the coaches theres so many. with decent feet and weighing 15st I would expect a few tackle breaks not just offloads. And having him puts less pressure on the young academy products.

If true then I'm quite excited.

Looks full of enthusiasm on the clips, eager to run at the defence and find a gap. Also looks good at keeping ball alive but then again, this is a highlights reel so could be hiding issues in defence etc.

I don't think number of first grade games in NRL is any guarentee of quality. Just look at the following stars of the NRL who worked out just fine for us:

Matt Orford - 235 NRL appearences
Glenn Hall - 143 NRL appearences
Nick Zisti - 72 NRL appearences
Phil Howlett - 71 NRL appearences
Tame Tupou - 25 NRL appearence
Marc Herbert - 23 NRL appearences

Not sure how many NRL games the following played but am fairly sure they weren't regulars and they haven't done bad in SL

- Blake Green
- Daniel Holdsworth
- Scott Dureau
- Michael Dobson

Shontayne Hape - 28 appearances before joining.
Tevita Vaikona - Not sure he even played in the NRL
A certain half back considered too small to play RL, one Robert Rawiri Paul - Never played in the NRL

they used to count being the water carrier as an appearance in those days

Is there still some ruling in place about young players needing to play a certain number of first team games before they can be signed by a SL club?
I'm not sure of the age limit or number of games needed though, but I definitely remember something along those lines being in place.

I believe it applies to being granted a visa.

If he is saying his goodbyes you would like to think his workpermit is sorted?

You would to be fair and I'm sure he has, but the next person to sit on his hands and assume that his prospective employer has 'done all the paperwork' won't be the first.

I'm liking the look of this guy - good feet, great offloads, strength, speed and agility. From the look of the video, we could do with having a closer look at some of his team mates too. Could be a shrewd find.

try this one Mrs Slocombe, he scored 17 tries with this team, go to 6.50 its a real steal!

rlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v

Reminds me a bit of this fella...

rlhttp://youtu.be/-ww5AzZW-6orl

(The video is worth a watch just to wonder if it's the same player we signed all those moons ago).