The Warriors' all-time leading try-scorer Manu Vatuvei has signed a new three-year deal which will extend his career to a record 15 seasons with the National Rugby League club.
The Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei makes a break. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 29-year-old wing, now in his 12th consecutive NRL season, will remain at the Warriors until the end of 2018.
Vatuvei says he looked at other options including rugby union, but says his vision is to be a Warrior for life.
He'll make his 202nd appearance for the Warriors against the Gold Coast Titans on Anzac day at Mount Smart stadium a week after setting the club's try-scoring record.
"I'm so grateful to the club for giving me the chance to stay here this long," said Vatuvei.
The Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden said Vatuvei's new contract takes him to the next level among NRL players.
"It's a tribute to Manu and a reflection of the regard we hold him in that he is set to extend his career to 15 seasons. That's an exceptional achievement," he said.
"He is hugely important to our side and to the club as a whole. The contribution he continues to make is outstanding and he has certainly started this season very well."
Manu Vatuvei - NZ Warriors Photo: Photosport
Only two other players match Vatuvei's feat of representing the Warriors in 12 NRL seasons - Stacey Jones (1995-2005 and 2009) and Jerome Ropati (2003-2014) - while captain Simon Mannering is in his 11th season.
Vatuvei's try-scoring strike rate is among the best for long-serving players in the game with 141 in 201 games including an impressive 27 in his last 32 matches.
He now needs only four more tries this year to complete the unprecedented feat of scoring 10 or more tries in 10 consecutive seasons.
He scored two tries in the Kiwis' victory in last year's Four Nations final against Australia to overtake Vagana's record for most Test tries for New Zealand (20 in 27 Tests).
Vatuvei won the NRL's Favourite Son award last year and at the Warriors' annual awards was named the players' player of the year.
