Warriors prop Russell Packer signs four-year deal with Newcastle Knights NEWCASTLE have bolstered their forward pack for next season with the signing of Warriors prop Russell Packer on a four-year deal. The 23-year-old was released from the final year of his contract at the Warriors, with whom he made his NRL debut in 2008. Packer has played 110 games for the Auckland-based club and two Tests for the Kiwis. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Warriors since joining the club in 2007 but to have the opportunity to play at the Knights and to be coached by Wayne Bennett is special," said Packer, who will relocate to Newcastle with his young family ahead of pre-season training in November. I look forward to joining the Knights in the pre-season and assisting the Knights premiership ambitions. Newcastle chief executive Matt Gidley said Packer will add plenty of power to an already solid Knights pack. "Russell is a young Kiwi international and will compliment our current front row stocks," he said. His addition to our squad will also bring further confidence to the team.