Ambitious Huddersfield are hoping New Zealand international Paul Whatuira can complete a glorious hat-trick after enjoying Grand Final success with each of his two previous clubs.

The 26-year-old centre is one of the big-name arrivals for engage Super League XIII, having helped both Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers to the Premiership title in Australia's National Rugby League.

Whatuira is arguably at the peak of his career, having won his 16th cap for the Kiwis in their win over France in Paris in November, but he believes a spell in England can lift his career to new heights.

"Jon Sharp seems like a coach I can learn a lot from," he said. "I'm really looking forward to the season ahead.

"A lot of quality players are coming over here from Australia and New Zealand and they're developing their game in the UK.

"It's a strong competition and getting close to the NRL. I saw it as an opportunity, Huddersfield were interested in me and it's worked out well.

"I had a couple of options but I saw Huddersfield as an up-and-coming side. They made the Challenge Cup final two years ago and went to the semi-finals of the Super League for the first time last year."

Whatuira, who has been in the country just a week, has quickly made the transition to an English winter and has not needed to go far to renew a few old acquaintances.

He lined up alongside new Huddersfield team-mates John Skandalis and John Elford in the Wests Tigers side that beat North Queensland in the 2005 Grand Final and partnered a third player, Jamahl Lolesi, in the World Club Challenge against Bradford the following February.

"I'm enjoying the English culture and I'm going to have a good time while I'm here," he said. "This weather doesn't faze me - I grew up in windy Wellington.

"Also, having ex-team-mates here made it a lot easier to settle in well. I played with Skando, Spider and Jammer at the Tigers and I also played with Keith Mason back at the Melbourne Storm. Everyone has been brilliant."

Whatuira, who has signed a three-year contract, will make his first appearance in the claret and gold colours - along with fellow newcomers Luke Robinson, David Hodgson and George Gatis - against Hull in the Paul King testimonial match at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

With the Giants playing all their pre-season friendlies away from home, the former Auckland Warrior will have to wait until the visit of champions Leeds in round one of Super League on February 10 for his first action in a Huddersfield jersey at the Galpharm Stadium.

But he is familiar with his new surroundings, having played twice at the ground in the World Club Challenge - for Wests Tigers two years ago and Penrith Panthers in 2004 - and he was in the Kiwis side that lost to Great Britain there last October.

"I've played three or four times at the Galpharm but I've not had a win yet," he said.

"Hopefully that can change."

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