Castleford takes a punt on Faumuina

North Queensland Cowboys bad boy Sione Faumuina, who famously walked out on Harlequins without playing a game for them, is to rejoin the UK Super League with Castleford in 2009.

Faumuina, who has agreed a 12-month deal with the Castleford Tigers, signed a three-year deal with Harlequins in September 2006 but pulled out of it three months later, citing personal reasons.

The former Raiders, Warriors and Kiwis player, who also had a three-match stint with UK club Hull in 2007, then joined North Queensland.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "I'm very pleased to have got Sione on board for next year.

"He will bring us some real presence. He has the size and skill and plenty of experience at the top level in the NRL. When I was at Canberra we tried to bring him back to the club but he opted to stick with the Warriors."

Faumuina, who has won two caps for his country, is the Tigers' third overseas recruit for 2009 following the acquisition of Rangi Chase (St George Illawarra) and Dean Widders (South Sydney).