St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer signs with Wests Tigers for four years

Wests Tigers have signed in-form St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer to a four-year contract, as first reported by The Mole for as first reported by The Mole for.

It was less than two weeks ago that The Mole reported that the Tigers were interested in the New Zealand international, who was thrown a lifeline by the Dragons in 2015 following a stint in jail.

Packer has enjoyed a close relationship with recently-appointed Tigers coach Ivan Cleary, having played under him when he made his first grade debut at the Warriors in 2008.

It continues a strong recruitment drive by the club with Warriors prop Ben Matulino and Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds also coming on board from next season.

The formidable combination of Packer and Matulino up front will help negate the loss of captain Aaron Woods, who recently signed with the Bulldogs.

It also helps ease the pain of losing James Tedesco to the Sydney Roosters, while Mitchell Moses has signed with Parramatta and could be released as early as today.

Cleary said that he was looking forward to working with Packer again in a statement issued by the club.

Packer has been in great form for the Dragons since making his return to the NRL and the club would have been keen to retain him but were unable to match the Tigers offer.

"Russell has been one of the standout front-rowers in the NRL this season," Cleary said.

"He’s a no-nonsense front rower, he really knows what his job is and he delivers and I think he’s only going to get better.

"I think he’s going to have a very strong leadership role here. He’s got a great story, a story of hard knocks and coming out the other side, and that will resonate with lots of the boys here.

"He’s very keen to help us regrow what we have here at Wests Tigers, and they’re the sort of guys we want on board."