FORMER All Blacks star Va'aiga Tuigamala is returning to rugby union for a winter spell with Courage League division one club Wasps. Wigan's 26 year old Kiwi powerhouse centre, has become the latest big name in rugby league to combine both codes.
He will join Wasps next month after Wigan's season has finished and will return to Central Park for pre-season training early in 1997.
Tuigamala, who switched codes to join League champions Wigan in January 1994, signed for Wasps yesterday, less than a week after his Wigan team mate Henry Paul joined English double champions Bath in a similar deal.
Nigel Melville, director of rugby at Wasps, said. "At 26, he's no old man coming to make a bit of money. He is here to play sensible and very serious rugby union.
"It will be a pleasure to work with him. I think he could teach our players a lot about defensive work and also about lines of running."
Wigan chairman Jack Robinson said. "We are glad Inga has managed to fix himself up with a club and hopefully it will keep him in good trim for the start of the new rugby league season. We want him back for pre-season training in January."
