Super League strugglers Wakefield sign New Zealand full-back Kevin Locke
Thursday 25 June 2015 16:29, UK
Super League strugglers Wakefield have snapped up New Zealand full-back Kevin Locke.
The 26-year-old former Test player secured a release from his spell at Salford on Tuesday and has now joined the Wildcats on a deal to the end of the season, pending the granting of a visa.
The signing of Locke, which follows the appointment of Brian Smith as head coach and the arrival of former New Zealand Warriors hooker Michael Sio, is another sign of the determination of Wakefield to avoid the drop into the
Championship.
They will be aiming to halt a 16-match losing run in next Wednesday's re-arranged Super League game against Hull when both Sio and Locke are expected to make their debuts.
Locke will also be able to play against former side Salford in the Qualifiers as part of the Super 8s which will determine the make-up of Super League in 2016.
Wakefield chairman Michael Carter said: "I am delighted to welcome Kevin Locke to the club. Kevin showed a great desire to come and play his rugby here and get a smile back on his face.
"We think we can help him achieve that which will be good for him and us. I can't wait to see him pull on the red, white and blue jersey."
Locke, who played for the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup final at Old Trafford, was viewed as a marquee signing by Salford when he joined them on a three-and-a-half-year deal from New Zealand Warriors almost a year ago.
But he endured a turbulent time with the Red Devils, playing in just 13 out of a possible 27 matches since making his debut at Huddersfield last July, and held talks with the Scottish Rugby Union earlier in the year over a potential switch of codes.
