Only three weeks after completing his football commitments with Gundagai, Nutira has been signed by St George Illawarra for the 2015 NRL season.

A barnstorming hit with the Tigers this year, the 24-year-old New Zealand prop held extensive talks with Dragons coach Paul McGregor, and recruitment boss Peter Mulholland, before only recently finalising the deal.

Speaking to The Daily Advertiser on Wednesday, Nutira talked of the thrill of getting the coveted chance to forge a career in the NRL with the famous club.

"It's very exciting," Nutira said yesterday.

"For me, I'm just so happy to have the opportunity.

"This is what I've been aiming for, but the hard work starts now.

"It's all up to me."

For Nutira, the remarkable transition from the bush to the brink of playing in the NRL premiership comes after a swashbuckling debut season with Gundagai.

It is also a second-coming of sorts for Nutira, who got a taste of the NRL experience as a teenager.

Although born and bred in New Zealand, Nutira moved to Sydney eight years ago and played junior representative football with Parramatta and Melbourne, before returning to his home country.

Former New Zealand Test coach Frank Endicott, however, stepped in as Nutira's manager and encouraged the fearsome front rower to give rugby league in Australian another chance.

Signed this year by Gundagai, Nutira wasted no time or effort in making a stunning impact for the Tigers, catching the attention of Mulholland in the process.

Widely regarded as the foremost talent scout in the NRL, Mulholland alerted McGregor to the power and skill of the tearaway Kiwi.

Nutira yesterday admitted securing the contract with the Dragons had been his ambition since first being approached by Mulholland during the season.

The New Zealander has now been swept up by a football whirlwind, which involves relocating his family to Wollongong in time to start pre-season training with the Dragons on October 28.

"I'm actually heading down to Wollongong tomorrow (Thursday)," Nutira said.

"I'll be looking for properties."

Nutira's move to the NRL mirrors the amazing rise of other Riverina forwards, notably Nigel Plum and Michael Henderson.

Plum left Wagga a decade ago and has developed into the most feared tackler in the NRL, while Griffith-product Henderson built a stellar career with St George Illawarra.

After ending his NRL playing days in 2013, Henderson linked with Temora this year as captain-coach, but Plum is still a major figure at Penrith.

Rumour persist that Plum will ultimately return to Wagga to coach, possibly in 2016, while Henderson will again lead the Dragons in their Group Nine campaign next year.