Saints forward eyes stylish rugby

Puletua scored a try on his St Helens debut at the weekend

St Helens forward Tony Puletua has said he is excited at the chance to play more fluid rugby in Super League.

The 28-year-old New Zealander joined Saints from Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal earlier this month.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Playing in Australia has become very structured - it's almost impossible to make a tackle.

"Over here, I think they play a more flamboyant sort of football, where they can throw the ball around."

I would have been disappointed if I had come to the end of my career knowing that I didn't have a go over here

St Helens forward Tony Puletua

"I think that sort of game suits me better, it's a free-flowing game over here," added Puletua.

Puletua, who won 19 international caps for New Zealand before switching to Samoa, has claimed playing in England has been a long-held ambition of his.

"It's something that I've wanted to do, I would have been disappointed if I had come to the end of my career knowing that I didn't have a go over here so I'm here now and I'm really enjoying it," said Puletua.

He scored a try on his St Helens debut in their 26-22 victory over a weakened Wakefield side at the weekend and added he was delighted with how the game went.

"It was really good to get the first hit out, to get some of the cobwebs out and I'm happy with the result," said Puletua.