Samoan World Cup halfback Jeremy Sua has signed to play for the Tasman Makos in this year's ITM Cup provincial rugby competition.

The 23-year-old halfback provided backup support for former Makos player Kahn Fotuali'i at last year's Rugby World Cup, appearing in both the 10-17 loss to Wales in Hamilton on debut and the 27-7 win over Fiji in Auckland.

Sua will play for the Marist club.

He is based in Sydney where he is in his third year of study for a bachelor of engineering degree at the University of Western Sydney.

He was involved with the NSW Waratahs set-up from 2006 to 2009 and has played for Sydney's West Harbour Pirates for the past two seasons.

Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Andrew Flexman was delighted at what he considered to be "a really significant signing".

"The guy was, ironically, an understudy to Kahn Fotuali'i in the Samoan side, so he's obviously a kid with some credentials," he said.

"I recall seeing him play a couple of times in the Samoan team and he looks to be quite a dynamic little player, kind of in that [Fotuali'i] mould in a way, a guy that's always going to threaten around the fringes.

"He's got quite a robust running game which to me, in terms of a [No] 9 job description these days, is pretty critical. It's exciting for sure."

Flexman confirmed that Sua was training with the Melbourne Rebels' fitness and conditioning coaches, with a possible view to the franchise signing him for the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Sua is expected to arrive in Nelson by March 26, in time for the start of the Nelson Bays club season on March 31.