Anderson signs 3 year deal with St
Helens

St Helens have made a dramatic swoop for New Zealand international Vinnie Anderson from under the noses of London Broncos.

Saints have also snapped up England Under-19 rugby union centre Chris Rhys Jones from Sale Sharks while Kiwi second rower Michael Smith, released before the start of the season without playing a game for them, has joined Hull KR.

The flurry of transfer activity marked the closure of the register for the Powergen Challenge Cup, which gets underway for National League clubs this weekend.

St Helens? capture of the 26-year-old Anderson, who was a key figure in last year?s Tri-Nations Series, represents a major coup and he is set to make his Super League debut in Friday?s Super League match against Salford at Knowsley Road.

Anderson, who appeared at centre for New Zealand in the autumn, will fill the vacancy at St Helens created by the sudden departure of second rower Smith, who failed to settle following his close-season move from relegated Castleford.

"It?s a major coup for us,? said St Helens? chairman Eamonn McManus. ?He?s perfect for us and the last piece in the jigsaw.

?He?s a hard-running second rower who can play in the backs as well. He?s also a young international coming to Super League which is a rarity.?

St Helens also beat the signing deadline to register the 21-year-old Rhys Jones but he is seen as a long-term acquisition and he will not link up with them until his contract with Sale expires in June.

Rhys Jones has represented England at Under-18 and Under-19 level and has made 19 appearances for the Sharks this season.

?We?ve been watching Chris for some time,? said McManus. ?We feel he will make a better league player than a union player.

?He?s a very aggressive runner with good defence and he?s a St Helens lad.?

Meanwhile, Smith will be unveiled by National League One club Hull KR at a press conference on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old New Zealander was released by Saints at his own request just four days before the start of the new Super League season.

In other deadline-beating transfers, Sheffield Eagles signed Keighley hooker Gareth Stanley and old boy Lynton Stott while former Great Britain prop Dean Sampson was formally transferred from Hunslet to Castleford, where he is on the coaching staff.

Thanks to: http://www.superleague.co.uk for another excellent article.