NZ Warriors have confirmed the signing of former Gold Coast Titans half Ash Taylor on a one-year 'train and trial' contract.
The 26-year-old Queenslander will join the Warriors, when they start their 2022 NRL pre-season campaign at their new Redcliffe home base next month.
The 'train and trial' deal allows the Warriors to have a look at him during pre-season, without having to make any formal commitment to a full-time NRL contract.
While the deal will be worth significantly less than the $AU1 million (NZ$1.05m) he commanded at the Titans last year, it will allow him to prove his worth and put him in line for a bigger offer, should the club choose to secure him for 2023 and, potentially, beyond.
The Titans released Taylor last season, ending his five-year tenure with the club, which included 114 appearances.
Head coach Nathan Brown believes the change of scenery for Taylor could spark a return to the form that earned him the 2016 Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
"Ash has had some challenges during his career, but we all know what he’s capable of and he also brings plenty of experience," says Brown.
"It's exciting having him onboard and looking to prove himself during the preseason. He'll provide a different dynamic and we think the change of club could be just what he needs."
Alongside Kodi Nikorima, Chanel Harris-Tavita and returning club stalwart Shaun Johnson, Taylor will help bolster the Warriors halves stocks, which seem likely to lose Sean O'Sullivan.
Harris-Tavita is also yet to renegotiate a new contract beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of the 2022 season. He'll be able to test the open market from November 1 and is expected to attract plenty of suitors from rival NRL clubs.
"Ash has backed himself to recapture his best form, with the chance of a one-year contract with us," says Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"He has some very achievable targets set for him and is looking forward to joining the squad next month."
