NRL 2020: Ben Murdoch-Masila set to join New Zealand Warriors

Ben Murdoch-Masila embarrassed George Burgess in the opening round of the Super League. Now the Tongan destroyer is looking to do the same in the NRL.

Ben Murdoch-Masila of Tonga during the Rugby League World Cup round 3, pool B match between Tonga and New Zealand at Waikato Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, November 11, 2017. (AAP Image/David Rowland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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First he steamrolled George Burgess. Now Ben Murdoch-Masila is set to take on the NRL with the Tongan bulldozer expected to ink a two year deal with the New Zealand Warriors.

While the Warriors had hoped of landing Murdoch-Masila from this year, he has agreed to join the club from 2021 – playing out the rest of the season with his English Super League club Warrington.

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Ben Murdoch-Masila is set to sign with join the Warriors in 2021, after being named in the 2019 Super League team of the year. Picture: AAp.

The backrower was at his damaging best when he gave Burgess a Super League debut to forget during Warrington’s first-round victory against Wigan on Friday.

Murdoch-Masila scored the first try of the new Super League season running straight over Burgess from 10 metres out to crash through for the tryline and leaving Burgess red-faced. The 28-year-old has thrived since joining the Super League in 2016.

He was given a career lifeline by Salford after ill-fated stints with the Wests Tigers and Penrith. Murdoch-Masila struggled with fitness and work ethic during his 58 NRL matches after bursting on to the scene as one of the game’s most promising players when he made his debut for the Tigers as an 19-year-old.

But in England he found his motivation, which has helped rejuvenate his career. He played for two years at Salford before joining Warrington, where he was part of their Challenge Cup-winning side last year.

George Burgess was floored by Murdoch-Masila in his Super League debut.

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Murdoch-Masila was named in the Super League team of the year in 2017. He has also risen to prominence with his performances for Tonga, including their historic victory against Australia at the end of last year. The Auckland-born Murdoch-Masila has played 12 times for Tonga.

The New Zealand Warriors have a host of players off-contract including Gerard Beale, Lachlan Burr, Blake Green, Peta Hiku, Pat Herbert, Adam Keighran, Sam Lisone and Isaiah Papali'i. Veteran forward Adam Blair has an option in his favour for 2021.