Wests Tigers have today announced the additions of forwards Rod Griffin and William McConnachie, as well as the re-signing of Jack Buchanan, as the Club continues to strengthen its playing roster for the 2016 season.
Griffin and McConnachie will join the Club on one-year deals, while Buchanan has also re-signed on a one-year deal that will secure him at Wests Tigers until the end of 2016.
Since making his first-grade debut for Wests Tigers in Round 1, 2013, Buchanan has played 39 games for the Club, with 12 NRL appearances in season 2015.
A front-row forward, Buchanan came through the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and St. George-Illawarra junior systems before signing with Wests Tigers in 2013, where he started in Round 1 as the youngest prop forward in the competition.
Griffin and McConnachie join Wests Tigers from the Ipswich Jets, with the duo featuring in the Jets’ recent National Club Championship victory over the Newcastle Knights.
Yet to make his first-grade debut, the 28-year-old Griffin has represented Papua New Guinea on six occasions in his career, including three games at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The Atherton Roosters junior can play either front row or second row, and recently won Ipswich’s Best and Fairest Award following a memorable season.
McConnachie, who was named Man of the Match in the Jets’ Intrust Super Cup Grand Final win over the Townsville Blackhawks, can play either front row or second row forward, with the 25-year-old also yet to make his first-grade debut.
Wests Tigers NRL Head Coach Jason Taylor said that the inclusion of the three players was an important move to help consolidate the Club’s depth next season.
“We’re always looking to strengthen our squad, and having these three players on board for next season will really help us do that,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to working with both Rod and William, and again with Jack, to help grow our team moving forward.
“All three have plenty of potential to assist us next year and will challenge the rest of the squad for playing time, which is a really positive thing for this Club.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe echoed Taylor’s sentiments, saying that the trio’s addition will increase the competition for spots in the NRL team next season.
“The greater the depth at this Club, the stronger it will be in the years ahead, and that’s precisely what adding these three players will help provide,” Pascoe said.
“As a Club, we want all of our players to improve both individually and collectively, and having enhanced competition for spots in the team will only further help that happen.”
Griffin, McConnachie and Buchanan will all join the rest of Wests Tigers NRL squad for the start of pre-season training in early November.
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