Bay of Plenty halfback Samisoni Fisilau is pinning his hopes of making Tonga's Rugby World Cup squad on a stint with English second division club Jersey.

The 27-year-old has turned out for the Bay side in the ITM Cup for the last two seasons, accumulating 11 caps after time spent with Northland and Counties Manukau between 2008 and 2012.

Bay of Plenty Steamers halfback Samisoni Fisilau attempts to shrug of the tackle of his Northland opposite Sonatane Takulau in their 2014 ITM Cup match. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

He was in the Hurricanes Super Rugby squad in 2013 but didn't take to the field.

Fisilau has earned 15 caps for Tonga since his debut in 2010, including playing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Posing a sizeable halfback figure at 106kg and 1.86m, Jersey have signed him to cover the loss of regular half Nicky Griffiths, who has returned to Wales.

"We've been looking for some time to sign a scrum-half and have had Sami on the radar,” says Jersey's head coach Harvey Biljon.

'I'm very pleased that his signing is confirmed and he's arrived on the Island and got his boots on,"

'He is a very talented player who still has international ambitions and is looking to develop his career in Europe.

'He's a powerful man to be wearing the number nine shirt and I think his style of play will complement our existing scrum-halves, Joel Dudley and Ryan Glynn.”

The club has suggested the former Steamer could line up as soon as this Saturday when Jersey take on Doncaster in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Jersey are currently 10th in the 12-team championship with just two wins and a draw from 11 matches. But their ability to accumulate eight bonus points has them well clear of relegation worries.