Matulino and Ta'ai extend careers with Vodafone Warriors
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Promising young forwards Ben Matulino and Ukuma Ta’ai have committed to the Vodafone Warriors after signing new contracts.
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah today confirmed Matulino (21), who was off contract at the end of the 2011 season, has agreed to a two-year extension which will see him stay with the club until the end of the 2013 NRL season.
Ta’ai (23), who was off contract at the end of this season, has signed a new deal for 2011 while the club has an option on him for 2012.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary said Matulino and Ta’ai had impressed with their progress this season.
“They’ve both become more established as NRL players and are showing the benefits of having more experience in the competition,” he said.
“Ben is still a young man but has already played more than 50 NRL matches and played Test football for the Kiwis. He has been a really solid performer for us this season.
“Ukuma has also shown a lot of improvement since making his debut at this level last year. He’s a player who is a real threat to opposition defences and one who has the potential to become a lot better yet.”
Matulino is one of only three players who has appeared in each of the Vodafone Warriors’ 19 matches so far this season while Ta’ai has played 14 times.
Meanwhile, Scurrah said the Vodafone Warriors had withdrawn from negotiations to sign Manly centre Steve Matai.
“We were keen to bring Steve to the Vodafone Warriors but throughout the process he has indicated it is his preference to stay with Manly if it was possible,” he said.
“We haven’t heard from his manager since making our final offer and have now withdrawn it.”
So far the Vodafone Warriors have made three new signings for 2011 in Paramatta pair Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu plus former Vodafone Junior Warrior Steve Rapira, who is returning home after two years with North Queensland.
BEN MATULINO
Born: January 3, 1989
Birthplace: Wellington, New Zealand
Position: Second row/prop
Height:193cm
Weight:106kg
Junior Club: Te Aroha Eels (Wellington)
Club Number: 142
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Cronulla, Toyota Stadium, Sydney, June 14, 2008 (Round 14)
NRL Career: 52 appearances 2008-2010
NRL Points: 8 (2 tries)
Other Clubs: Wellington Orcas (Bartercard Cup), Randwick Kingfishers (Wellington)
Representative:Three Tests for Kiwis 2009-2010, Junior Kiwis 2006, New Zealand Under-18 2007
UKUMA TA’AI
Born: January 17, 1987
Birthplace: Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Position: Second row
Height: 187cm
Weight:106kg
Junior Club: Mt Albert Lions (Auckland)
Club Number: 149
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Manly, Brookvale Oval, Manly, March 22, 2009 (Round 2)
NRL Career: 24 appearances 2009-2010
NRL Points: 24 points (6 tries)
Other Clubs: Auckland Vulcans (New South Wales Cup)
Representative:Three Tests for Tonga 2010, Tongan rugby union international
Matulino and Ta'ai extend careers with Vodafone Warriors by on 03/08/2010 //
https://www.warriors.co.nz/news/671/Matulino-and-Taai-extend-careers-with-Vodafone-Warriors
