Jet-lagged try star Fata Sini was today on stand by for touch down at York Rugby League Club.

The 30-year-old Western Samoan centre declared himself ready to put pen to paper on a contract when he links up with the Wasps tonight.

Sini told the Evening Press he chose to ignore the lure of late First Division interest and repay the faith shown by York coach Dean Robinson.

The former Samoan rugby union international was rejected by Super League Salford Reds during the close season after a prolific two year spell at the Willows.

But Sini was relieved to be kick-starting his career at York and pledged to help the club win promotion to the First Division - and possibly earn himself a route back to Super League.

As he recovered from a 24-hour flight from the south Pacific island, Sini detailed his desire to take the second division try charts by storm.

"I cannot wait to get on the field and start scoring tries. You have got to score tries to win games," he said.

"I just want to concentrate on winning games. I want to set an example for the other players and have a good season."

The centre, who rose to prominence in the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup, was eager to shake off his jet-lag and start his Wasps career against Lancashire Lynx at Preston on Sunday.

"I want to play on Sunday. It has been four months with nothing happening but that is history," said Sini.

"I want to play for York and hopefully they will win the competition and maybe I will get back into Super League next year. I have proved I can do it at that level. I believe I always prove myself on the field."

Sini, a fans' favourite at the Willows, was surprised at the news that he was to be discarded by coach Andy Gregory.

Gregory initially plumped for Paris St Germain's Phil Bergman ahead of Sini but the Australian's work permit fell through. Salford have since signed Leeds Rhinos centre Phil Hassan.

Meanwhile, York's latest recruit is desperate to prove Gregory wrong.

"I only missed one game last year and they released me. I was very, very disappointed. That is up to them to decide but they made a big mistake," he said.

"They signed me again in 1997 because I proved I am worth it, I am not here for a holiday. But I missed one game last season and they cut me off. Their loss is York's gain."

Sini added that, as he headed for home four months after being released by the Reds, he was dismayed at the lack of interest shown by First Division clubs.

And he said belated inquiries - including overtures from Keighley Cougars - were not enough to deflect him from joining York, who had worked behind the scenes to arrange his flight and work permit.

"I am not going to put Dean down. I just want to play for him. I have had enough of negotiations, all I want to do is get on the field. York have done the hard work getting me over here. I am not going to leave them."

Robinson hailed a major transfer coup for the club, particularly in view of the difficulty in attracting big name players to the Second Division.

"I am sure the lads will take to him very quickly. He is a total professional and an infectious character," said the coach.

"It is difficult getting quality players in the division and that is a problem we have got all the time. We had the same problem with Mark Hewitt and Jon Aston.

"It is nice to know Fata respects the great lengths we have gone to in securing him at the club and I am sure he will pay me back. And if we achieve what we can do I hope this is perhaps the first season of two or three."

Before thrusting Sini into the Second Division fray, Robinson will assess the affect of the player's long haul flight from Samoa.

Said the Wasps boss: "I will be extremely disappointed if he was not wanting to play, he has waited a while for work permit. But it is my job to it professionally and not just react to his enthusiasm."

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