The Canberra Raiders have reportedly swooped on a former schoolboy star in a move to bolster their hooking stocks.

Wide World of Sports reports Ricky Stuart has signed former New Zealand under-16 star Stanley Iongi who will initially suit up for Canberra’s SG Ball side.It is understood the Raiders see the 19-year-old as a potential long-term No.9 with Josh Hodgson to join the Parramatta Eels in 2023 and Tom Starling having found himself at the centre of off-field incidents.

Iongi spent several years in the New Zealand Warriors system before signing with the Storm’s feeder club Brisbane Tigers late last year after being chased by a number of NRL clubs.

Despite the interest in the young rake the Tigers were happy to grant him a release

“They were great about it,” Iongi’s manager Dixon McIver told Wide World of Sports.

“They wanted Stanley in their club but they recognised he had a much better opportunity at Canberra and let him go - I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

“He is a real goer in the Brandon Smith mould - Canberra have got themselves a great kid”.

Iongi played in the under 20s NZRL competition during 2021 where he played a pivotal role in Auckland Blue’s charge to the grand final.

He has represented New Zealand in junior age football and is a natural ball runner.