SITALEKI Akauola is now in pre-season training with his new Warrington Wolves teammates.

The 25-year-old former Penrith Panthers forward is the first of the new recruits to arrive but he assures Bryson Goodwin, Tyrone Roberts and Ben Murdoch-Masila that a warm welcome awaits them.

“There’s a good vibe, the boys and everyone have been welcoming,” said the Tongan international.

He says he prefers to be referred to as ‘Sita’ and is already picking up on the local lingo.

When asked where the club had set him up, he said: “I’m in an apartment in Stocky Heath!”

Although he is a single man, he will have club company almost on his doorstep in the shape of Steve Price, Wolves’ new head coach.

“I’m living above Pricey, so I need to be on my best behaviour,” he said, laughing.

He arrives for pre-season on the back of a year of mixed emotions at Penrith, having featured in the NRL first-grade side in the opening half of the campaign before dropping to the reserves.

“It was a really good challenge to make the first-grade spot,” he said.

Warrington Guardian:

Sita on the charge for Penrith Panthers earier this year. Picture by Naparazzi Sports

“Going on with the reserve grade to win the New South Wales Cup Grand Final and on to the next week to win the State Championship was positive, leaving the club on a real high.

“Penrith really helped me a lot as a player and a person. I’ve seen myself improve in both areas but there’s much more to come and I’m really excited to be here.”

He spent the season in the front row, where Wolves are expected to feature him in place of Ashton Sims, but he also has experience on the wing, in the centres, in the halves and in the back row.

“For me, I prefer to be in the middle but whatever the team wants, wherever the coach wants me, I’ll do anything to put the team forward.”

Initially after signing in August it was set up for him to reunite with his pal and former Penrith Panthers teammate Peta Hiku, but the Kiwi international elected to return to New Zealand for family reasons.

Having Hiku here, on the other side of the world and away from your family and friends, would have helped with the settling in process.

Sita said that after a few second thoughts he was not going to let Hiku’s change stop him progressing with his plans - terms that were put in place as Wolves' first signing for 2018 while Tony Smith was still in charge.

“For me, it’s an experience and I wanted to come over and experience Super League,” he said.

“Pricey has been really good to me and has taken me under his wing and looked after me really well, as have others including Dec (Patton).”

There will still be a reunion for Sita when Murdoch-Masila joins the club after his Rugby League World Cup duties finish with Tonga, for whom Sita made his debut in 2014.

“Me and Benny played at Wests Tigers together for a couple of years and also for Tonga.

“We get on well and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him again.”

Sita does not have a playing history with the other new recruits, Goodwin and Roberts, but fees The Wire have done good business in the area of recruitment for 2018.

“I’ve played against Bryson and Tyrone and it will be very exciting to play alongside them,” he said.

“They all bring leadership. They all take up a big role, whether it’s in the halves with Tyrone, in the centres with Bryson or in the forwards with Benny, and they all bring some experience.”