Super League

Wakefield and Halifax in player swap

by
Jack Conlon
August 8, 2019

Wakefield Trinity have completed the signing of Adam Tangata on loan from Halifax until the end of the season, with Keegan Hirst going in the other direction.

Tangata has become a cult hero at The Shay, scoring 27 tries in 95 appearances in his two spells with the club and becomes Wakefield’s third new recruit this week, following the signings of Morgan Escare and Chris Green.

Trinity have been in pursuit of the 28-year-old for a while and were close to securing a deal for him last week before it collapsed at the eleventh hour, according to League Express.

Tangata played for the Mount Pritchard Mounties before moving to the UK with Halifax in 2015.

Chris Chester has, however, now secured the services of the Cook Islands international and has, in turn, allowed Hirst to join ‘Fax.

The former Dewsbury, Batley and Featherstone prop joined Wakefield in 2017 and has gone on to make over 60 appearances for the club.

On the swap, Wakefield head coach Chester said: “It’s another good bit of business by us to get Adam Tangata signed until the end of the season.

“Along with Chris Green, he’ll add a lot to the pack in these remaining games and i’m looking forward to seeing him out there.

Keegan Hirst will move across West Yorkshire to link up with Halifax.

“Everyone at the club would like to wish Keegan the best of luck at Halifax. He’s done a real good job for us since joining in 2017 and with him being off-contract at the end of the season, it’s a chance for him to get plenty of game time in these last five weeks.”

Halifax head coach Simon Grix also added: “I’d like to wish Adam the best of luck with this opportunity. This was his aim since leaving home to join Halifax and we felt we couldn’t deny him that.

“He was fielding offers from Super League and this was inevitable, so we have cut a deal that works both ways. We had our eye on Keegan for next season, this way Adam gets his chance and Keegan gets to have a look at us.

“Keegan is an experienced front row who has benefitted greatly from his time in the full-time game. He has a good engine and will provide significant size to our forward pack, he’ll come straight into contention for the weekend.