Western Samoan centre Fata Sini was today hailed the "biggest" signing in the history of York Rugby League Club.

Chief executive Phil Elliott declared that the capture of the former rugby union international was the potential catalyst for a promotion-winning season.

The Samoan arrived at Huntington Stadium last night and re-iterated his desire to spark a Second Division surge by the Wasps. Sini, who was still adjusting to the climate 48 hours after landing in England, was immediately pitched into a first training session with his new team-mates.

Coach Dean Robinson was eager to assess the player's condition before naming his squad for Sunday's trip to unbeaten Lancashire Lynx.

Meanwhile, Elliott emphasised the scale of the Sini signing.

Said Elliott: "He is going to take the club by storm. It is just the injection we need to add an extra impetus to our promotion winning surge.

"We welcome him to the club and I am sure his professional attitude will be a great example to all the players at York Rugby League Club."

The chief executive likened the arrival of Sini to the signing of Kiwi Tawera Nikau but added that, while Nikau made his name at York, Sini is already a recognised big name.

"He is one of the biggest signings the club has ever made, if not the biggest. This guy is a recognised international and Super League player," he said.

Sini, who has signed until the end of the season, ignored late interest from First Division clubs to join the Huntington Stadium outfit.

And the 31-year-old is determined to win promotion with the Wasps - and prove Super League Salford Reds were wrong to release him at the end of last season. Asked whether he was ready to take part against the Lynx on Sunday, Sini confidently declared: "I want to play and I want to win."

Sini, from the town of Apia, in Western Samoa, rose to international prominence with two tries against England in the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup.

Salford coach Andy Gregory snapped up the prolific try scoring centre - thinking initially that he was a stand-off.

Said Sini: "When I was playing union in the World Cup they put me at stand off because another guy was injured and they wanted me to have a go at it.

"At international level you have to take whatever opportunities come along. I managed to play well and scored two tries against England and Salford signed me.

"They thought I was a permanent stand-off. But I do not care what position I play as long as I am in the team and doing well. I am pretty happy to play anywhere."

FATA FACTS

Full name: Iefata Sini - "My mother gave me a name from the Bible"

Born: December 24, 1966

Birthplace: Apia, Western Samoa

Career kick-start: A quick-fire pair of tries against England in the 1995 RU World Cup

Big break: Joined Salford on August 23, 1995

Try time: Scored 15 tries in 16 games as Salford stormed into Super League in 1996

Semi Reds: Was a member of the Salford side beaten 50-20 by St Helens in last year's Challenge Cup semi-final

Super Sini: Missed just one game in 1997 as the Reds tackled their debut season in Super League

Running man: Salford's top runner in 1997, gaining 2,187 metres

Fine nine: Bagged nine tries in 31 appearances last season

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.