Warriors centre Solomone Kata has quashed rumours linking him with a move to the Melbourne Storm, saying he's committed to the New Zealand club.
Kata played the first six games of the Warriors' season before being dropped to the reserve side in the Canterbury Cup, where he has played since.
The 24-year-old has been replaced in the Warriors' starting side by Patrick Herbert, who has barely put a foot wrong and has been kicking goals.
Now the Storm are ready to pounce on Kata and add him to their squad before the June 30 transfer deadline.
But Kata is contracted to the Warriors until the end of next season, and would need to be released for the move to take place.
Kata was quick to dismiss the rumours after his side's 26-16 win over the Wentworthville Magpies at North Harbour Stadium in the Canterbury Cup.
"Nah. I've still got another year on my contract at the Warriors," Kata told nswrl.com.au.
"I saw something on the media about that, but I haven't talked to anyone. Right now I'm just working on my performance to get back up into the top side.
"I haven't heard anything from my agent, or from the club. I just saw it, but it's not important to me because I'm working on my performance and I'm committed to the Warriors."
If Kata was to leave the Warriors have plenty of cover at centre, with Herbert, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale and Blake Ayshford.
The move would also open up one more roster spot for the Warriors, who could try sign another player before the end of the month.
Kata made his first-grade debut at the start of the 2015 season and has gone onto play 93 games for the Warriors.
Kata was named in Tonga's squad for next weekend's test against the Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
Newshub.
