Vodafone Warriors ironman Simon Mannering has signed a new three-year contract to stay at the club until the end of the 2012 NRL season.
Still only 22, the ultra-consistent Napier-born, Nelson-raised back rower was off-contract at the end of this year.
He had been the target of intense interest from a raft of NRL and English Super League clubs while rugby union was also lining up.
But today Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah confirmed the 1.90m, 104kg World Cup-winning Kiwi – the club’s 2008 Lion Red NRL Player of the Year – had re-signed.
“This is undoubtedly one of the most important re-signings in the club’s history,” he said.
“Simon has been developed by the club and is a huge part of our future. He’s a prime example of the pathway that’s available for young players in New Zealand.”
While numerous other clubs were keen on acquiring his services, Mannering said his aim had always been to stay with the Vodafone Warriors.
“This is where I started and I love it here,” he said.
“There’s a great feeling around the club, the coaching staff is really good and I’ve always enjoyed being around the group of guys we have in the squad.
“It took a bit of time to sort out but it’s a real relief to have it all settled well before the season starts.”
Coach Ivan Cleary was elated about Mannering’s retention.
“As both a player and person he’s vital to the development of the side and the club as a whole,” he said.
“While he’s extremely capable, he’s also so coachable. He’s always pushing to improve his game and delivers such high standards consistently every time he plays.
“For a young man he’s already achieved so much in the game and he’ll surely go on to achieve so much more.
“It’s also a great signal to players in New Zealand to have someone of Simon’s quality coming through the club’s development system, making it into the NRL and staying here for what should be a long-term career with the Vodafone Warriors.”
Mannering’s new contract will stretch his first-grade career to seven seasons at Mt Smart Stadium.
After making his debut as an 18-year-old against Brisbane in 2005, he has established himself among the game’s pre-eminent back rowers with the added ability to play in the centres (as he did for the Kiwis in their historic World Cup final win against Australia last November).
He hasn’t missed an NRL match since becoming a first-choice selection after a delayed start to the 2006 season. He played 17 straight matches that year and appeared in every match in both 2007 (26) and 2008 (27), a total of 70 consecutive matches.
Since making his Kiwi debut in the 2006 Tri Nations he has played 18 consecutive tests as well. The only top-level games he hasn’t been involved in during that period have been the All Golds’ matches against the Northern Union in 2007 and the New Zealand Maori last year.
SIMON MANNERING
Born: August 28, 1986
Birthplace: Napier, NZ
Position: Second row/centre
Height: 190cm
Weight: 104kg
Junior Club: Wellington Orcas (Bartercard Cup)
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane, Ericsson Stadium, June 26, 2005
(Round 16)
Club Number: 125
NRL Career: Vodafone Warriors: 77 games, 2005-2008
NRL Points: 84 (21 tries)
Test Career: 18 Tests for New Zealand, 2006-2008; 2008 Rugby League World Cup winner
Test Points: 12 (3 tries)
Kiwi Number: 731
Educated: Nelson College
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