Hull FC sign Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower Frank Pritchard
Friday 19 June 2015 12:20, UK
Hull FC have signed former New Zealand international Frank Pritchard from Canterbury Bulldogs starting in 2016.
The powerful back-rower, who is a former captain of the Bulldogs, has agreed a two-year deal, with an option of a third season.
“Frank the Tank”, as he is known, has played an integral part in the Bulldogs’ recent successes, helping them to two Grand Final appearances and a Minor Premiership over the past four years.
Pritchard said: “The English Super League is continuing to grow as a competition and to be able to go over there and continue as a professional athlete is exciting.
"When my time comes at Hull I will be giving it 100%, but my focus remains on Bulldogs and helping us trying to win the Premiership and we have a group here capable of doing that."
The 31-year-old back-rower made a name for himself with Penrith Panthers, where he won the NRL Premiership in his debut season, and made 137 appearances, scoring 37 tries.
He moved to Canterbury-Bankstown for the 2011 season and has made 92 appearances for the Bulldogs whilst also being named as a vice-captain at the beginning of this year.
Pritchard recently switched allegiance to Samoa, his country of origin, who he represented in last year's Four Nations, making his debut against England.
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford is delighted to have won the race for Pritchard's signature, adding: "Frank is a quality signing. He is going to be a real hit in this competition and as a former club captain at the Bulldogs, a Grand Final winner and a top New Zealand international for some years, his CV speaks for itself.
"The fact we had to fight so hard against three or four other clubs in Super League to get his signature and Canterbury's reluctance to see him go speaks volumes and is a real sign of his quality and the stature of the man."
