TONGA’S loss is Wolves’ gain as Sitaleki Akauola sets about making his mark in primrose and blue.

The 25-year-old explosive ball carrier, the first of Warrington’s four new signings to arrive for pre-season training, comes across as the epitome of commitment to a cause and with a positive outlook that is sure to attract admiring glances from Wire fans.

For him, there is more than one upside to being left out of his proud nation’s giant-killing Rugby League World Cup squad as a consequence of Andrew Fifita’s late switch from Australia and he is now focused on making the most of his time here, helping Wolves to new glories after a disappointing 2017.

“I was in the mix for Tonga, it’s a pretty funny story,” said Sita, adding he spent half of this year in Penrith Panthers’ NRL side before finishing the campaign on a high as a New South Wales Cup Grand Final and State Championship winner with the reserves – all in the front row.

“I was one of the ones who was pretty unlucky, with one of the guys making their late decisions to play for Tonga and give up Australia. I was the unlucky one who dropped out and he came back in.

“It was disappointing, but for me it’s all about the team, and the best team, so I understood where the coach was coming from. Team comes first and to see them doing well makes it even better.

“And for me it provided the chance to get over here and start pre-season with my new club.”

Sita, who played a couple of seasons at Wests Tigers alongside another of Wire’s new Tongans, Ben Murdoch-Masila, is clear what he wants to achieve during his two-year contract.

“I want to grow in confidence, grow in all areas, learn more about the game, experience something new,” said Sita, who is living in an apartment above head coach Steve Price.

“I’ve heard a lot about the fans over here and so I am looking forward to playing in front of them.

“It was a big decision, moving halfway around the world.

“I come from a big family (he has 14 siblings), and family means a lot to me, so leaving them was one of the hardest things.

“These opportunities never come twice, so I thought I would take it with both hands and whatever I do now I’ve got to make it worth leaving my family behind in New Zealand and Australia.

“Leaving them behind gives me no choice but to go at this 100 per cent, 100 miles an hour going forward.

“I want to help Warrington be where they want to be and need to be and hopefully help every young player at the club grow as a person and as a player. Rise together.”