Saints signing wants strong show

Sia Soliola played for New Zealand in all three games at the Four Nations

New St Helens signing Sia Soliola is aiming to add strength to Saints' pack next season.

The 23-year-old Kiwi international, who can play second-row or centre, has moved to Knowsley Road from Sydney Roosters on a three-year contract.

"I'm big in defence," he told BBC Radio Merseyside. "I don't really like people getting on the outside.

"You can probably expect a lot of big hits from me and I like to take the ball forward."

Soliola, part of the New Zealand team at this month's Four Nations tournament, admits that he is relishing the physical side of playing Super League rugby.

"I like to play a bit like a forward," he said. "But I try to put a bit of footwork on the outside, probably a bit of both with a lot of strength.

"I like to be a bit brute and play the game real hard."

St Helens have been beaten in the Super League Grand Final by Leeds for the past three seasons.

But, with a number of teams strengthening their squads for next season, Soliola is aware of the difficult task Saints face in again trying to finish 2010 at the head of the pack.

And he is particularly fearful of neighbours Warrington.

"Adrian Morley is still pumping them real good," he said. "So I'm expecting it to be a real physical challenge for us next year. But, as well as them being big, we also have some big players as well."