BEN Murdoch-Masila says his arrival at Warrington Wolves was “never in any doubt” despite intense rumours to the contrary.

Visa issues meant The Wire’s signing from Salford Red Devils did not arrive in the country until January 9, having initially been expected to return to the UK before Christmas.

The delay in Murdoch-Masila’s arrival after representing Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup, added to comments attributed to his manager seemingly expressing an interest in returning to the NRL, fuelled speculation that the deal to bring him to The Halliwell Jones Stadium may fall through.

However, the second rower says his intention was always to return and take up his three-year contract with The Wire.

“I was getting lots of messages and reading things asking whether I was coming back or not,” he told the Guardian.

“It was hard because, as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t write back and tell people what was happening.

“I was always coming back. That was never in any doubt.

“I’m enjoying myself in England and my family are enjoying it. If we’re happy and settled, why would I move?

“Now all that’s done, I just want to do my talking on the field and rip in.”

Upon his arrival back in Britain, Murdoch-Masila was whisked straight to the club’s training camp in South Wales He spent three days training with his new teammates in that environment and the 26-year-old says that opportunity was “a blessing.”

“I’m enjoying it. Going straight into camp as soon as I got here helped a lot,” he said.

“It meant I could get to know all the boys in that sort of environment straight away so I’m really pleased with how it’s going.

“It helped during the Salford game as well as I already knew how they liked to play from that time in camp.

“It was a real blessing getting straight into it.”

Murdoch-Masila found himself lining up against his former Salford teammates in his first game in primrose and blue, Saturday’s 18-6 friendly victory at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He was instrumental in The Wire’s first try, bursting through the line before offloading to give Joe Philbin an unchallenged run across the whitewash.

The former Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers man says he was pleased to “get one up” on the Red Devils after taking some “friendly fire” from his former teammates.

He also said the team were encouraged by their performance in that game ahead of next week’s Super League opener against Leeds Rhinos.

“I was quite surprised with how good I felt in the Salford game. Having Chris Hill out there alongside me really helped,” he said.

“He was talking to me throughout the game and giving me tips of where to be and things like that.

“It was good to get one up on Salford. The tackles were much harder than they normally are in a friendly!

“There were a few headlocks thrown in there, but it was all friendly fire!

“We’re feeling pretty good as a team. We’ve done some video review with Steve and we’re quite happy with where we are defensively.

“It can only get better from here but we’re happy with the space we’re in.”