NRL 2020: NZ Warriors sign prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown on two-year deal

The Warriors have added some much-needed size to their forward pack after signing Australian-born Jamayne Taunoa-Brown on a two-year deal.

The 23-year-old recently joined the club on a trial contract and impressed coach Stephen Kearney enough to earn a spot in the team's 30-man squad. 

"I can't fault him since he has arrived and that's why we were adamant we wanted to keep him at our footy club," said Kearney. 

"He has ticked a lot of boxes. He's a big body and very skilful."

Taunoa-Brown will likely feature during the 2020 season after the Warriors lost props Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei to ACL injuries, while Sam Lisone was released to join the Gold Coast Titans. 

The Melbourne-born player played for the Warriors in the NRL Nines, while starting for the Australian Indigenous All-Stars last weekend against the Māori All Stars. 

He will be one of the Warriors' biggest forwards, standing at 1.94m tall and weighing 114kg.

Before joining the Warriors, he trialled previously at the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights but failed to break into first grade, having played in the Queensland Cup for Norths Devils.  

"Jamayne had a terrific year with Norths in the Queensland Cup last year and he has really impressed our coaches and football staff since coming here," said Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.

"He's exactly the sort of player we need after losing props Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei to season-ending knee injuries." 

The Warriors face the Wests Tigers in their final pre-season game in Rotorua on Sunday, before facing the Knights in their season opener on March 14. 

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