NZ Warriors have confirmed the return of halfback Chad Townsend, who'll re-join to the Kiwi club's ranks for the rest of the 2021 season.
Townsend, 30, returns to the Warriors immediately from Cronulla Sharks, ahead of the Kiwi side's round 16 clash with St George Illawarra Dragons on July 2.
His arrival comes as welcome relief for the Warriors' stocks in the halves, with Chanel Harris-Tavita ruled out for the rest of the year with a pectoral injury.
The Cronulla junior established himself as a first-grade starter during two seasons at Mt Smart Stadium, playing 41 games, before returning to the Sharks, where he has logged 128 games since 2016 - and helped the side to its first NRL premiership.
"Bringing a player of Chad's calibre and experience back to the club at this time of the year is terrific for us," coach Nathan Brown says.
"He has impressed as one of the NRL's most consistent halfbacks throughout his career and he's a proven performer in big games.
"We're certainly delighted we've been able to sign him and it's a real positive that he knows our club so well."
The halfback will only be with the Warriors through until the end of this season, before he joins North Queensland Cowboys in 2022.
Townsend joins former Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as recent arrivals at the Warriors, after the once Kiwis captain signed a deal through until the end of 2024.
