Warriors release Matagi to join Roosters

Prop Suaia Matagi will resume his NRL career with the Sydney Roosters after getting an early release from the Warriors.

Suaia Matagi.

Warriors prop Suaia Matagi has been released to join the Roosters for the rest of the NRL season. (AAP)

Warriors prop Suaia Matagi has been released to join the Sydney Roosters for the rest of the NRL season.

The 27-year-old New Zealand and Samoa international made 36 appearances for the Warriors, including playing in all 24 matches last season.

But he has been unable to get back into the first-grade side this season since the opening-round fixture against Newcastle.

With Ben Matulino and Jacob Lillyman as the Warriors' starting props, and youngsters Sam Lisone and Albert Vete providing cover off the bench, Matagi has found himself down the pecking order.

Matagi made his NRL debut in 2013 after rebuilding his life following a prison term for assault.

Coach Andrew McFadden says it was a tough decision to let him go midway through the season.

"Everyone in our squad and at the club as a whole is full of admiration for him with the way he has turned his life around," he said.

"Naturally Suaia wants to be playing in the NRL but with the competition we have for spots he's not getting those opportunities this season."

Matagi said he would leave the Warriors with mixed emotions.

"If it wasn't for the coaching staff having faith in me and the club giving me the opportunities I've had, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Matagi represented Samoa at the 2013 World Cup and made his Kiwis debut in the 2014 Four Nations.


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Source: AAP


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