Recent talks of Solomone Kata being involved in a shift to the Melbourne Storm have been rubbished by the Warriors centre, who confirmed his allegiance to the Auckland club for the next season at least.
Kata, who has been playing in the Canterbury Cup side for much of the 2019 season, quickly shot down the speculation after his side’s 26-16 win over the Wentworthville Magpies at North Harbour Stadium.
“Nah. I’ve still got another year on my contract at the Warriors. I saw something on the media about that, but I haven’t talked to anyone. Right now I’m just working on my performance to get back up into the top side.
“I haven’t heard anything from my agent, or from the club. I just saw it, but it’s not important to me because I’m working on my performance [with the Warriors].”
Since being replaced in the NRL side by Patrick Herbert, Kata has been a solid part of a Warriors team that has otherwise struggled to find consistency this year. Their away form in particular has been a real concern, failing to register a win across the Tasman this year. They’re currently sitting tenth on the Canterbury Cup ladder, and Kata says that the win over Wentworthville was ‘needed’.
“I’m glad I got to score from the boys working hard in the middle, and our outside backs have found the holes.
“This season has been challenging for me, but I need this time to work on those little things. I’m finding it really helpful.”
Kata, who has long had a question mark over his defensive capabilities during his 93-game NRL career at the Warriors, said that he hasn’t been given a list of things to work on in his stint in the Canterbury Cup.
"Not really. I just know what to work on and get better. I’m pretty happy with the way I’m playing and I’ve just got to wait for another chance.”
Time will tell whether Kata will be back in the Warriors’ NRL side before the end of this season, but he has now put to bed any thoughts of being in a different club’s jersey for the time being.
“I’m committed to the Warriors.”
