Leigh Centurions swoop for Super League halfback

Leigh Centurions have announced the signing of Ata Hingano from Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2022 Betfred Championship season.

Hingano, 24, brings versatility and experience to the important pivot role, playing halfback and hooker with equal effectiveness. New Zealand-born of Tongan descent, he came through the ranks at Auckland Warriors, making his NRL debut in 2016 and later playing for Canberra Raiders.

Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Chris Chester said: “Ata is a great signing for us. He has experience of playing in the NRL and can cover halfback and hooker. He gives us some quality in the spine of the squad, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Ata Hingano said: “I am really happy to be joining the club. It’s a great move for me and having met my teammates this morning we are all focussed on helping Leigh Centurions back into Super League.”

Hingano enjoyed a spectacular World Cup campaign in 2017, starting halfback in all five games as Tonga, under the charge of current Saints coach Kristian Woolf, reached the semi-finals, losing 20-18 to England after victories over Scotland, Samoa, New Zealand and Lebanon along the way.

With further experience in both the New South Wales competition and the Queensland Cup, Hingano joined Salford in June 2021 and quickly made his debut in the Betfred Super League as he settled into life in the North of England.