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Cornwall RLFC have signed utility back Josh Tora for the forthcoming Betfred League 1 season, which begins on April 2 away at North Wales Crusaders.

Tora, who was born in Fiji and raised in the Southern Hemisphere, moved to these shores in 2008 and joined the Royal Navy after settling in England.

He has represented the Royal Navy rugby league side in matches against fellow armed forces sides and is yet another success story from the club’s open player trial which took place earlier this year.

“I think think this is a great opportunity – almost once in a lifetime,” Tora began. “For young boys growing up, this is a dream come true and to have a rugby league team in Cornwall is also a great opportunity for all the other boys who have signed.

“This chance to play was one not to be missed and it was there for taking and I’m glad that I made the decision to sign for Cornwall. Fijian boys are known as aggressive players on the pitch and friendly players of it.

“Hopefully when the season starts, when I don the jersey, I can represent Cornwall and my Fijian background.”

Able to play anywhere along the back five and equally at home in the pack, Tora’s physical presence will further supplement an exciting squad which Choughs’ head coach Neil Kelly is building for the new campaign.

“Josh will be an absolute pleasure to coach and I have no doubt about that,” added Cornwall chief Kelly. “He will great to have around the club and for the culture that we are trying to instill to the rest of the boys.

“Josh is a positive and upbeat person and we are hoping that his personality is almost magnetic throughout the group.”

On Tora’s playing style and attributes, Kelly added:“He runs good lines and can play anywhere in the side almost. As a Fijian, his heritage is important because I have always felt that every squad needs that South Pacific flavour.

“We’ve got that in our squad now with Josh and we can’t wait to see him in action when the season begins.”

Meanwhile, on Tora’s arrival at the Memorial Ground, Cornwall RLFC general manager John Beach added:

“Josh is a player we are excited to have as part of the squad,”he said. “He will be a big player on the pitch with his physical standing but as Neil has said, he brings a lot off the pitch too.

“He has an infectious personality and has fitted in really well with all the other boys.”