Prolific try-scorer David Fusitu'a has today re-signed with the Vodafone Warriors until the end of the 2023 NRL season.
It's a deal which will see the 23-year-old Marist Saints junior join an elite list of 10-season Vodafone Warriors which so far numbers just eight.
In his last two campaigns, Fusitu'a has developed into one of the NRL's most complete wingers, underlined by peers across all 16 clubs ranking him the second-best in the 2018 NRL.com Players' Poll.
"Retaining David was a priority for us and we're thrilled to see him staying here long-term," said Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney.
"There's no question he has made tremendous progress, especially over the last two seasons. He provides wonderful value for us in all respects.
"He's a player the club has put a lot of work into to develop into a high-quality footballer and he is repaying the faith we have always had in him."
Now in his fifth NRL campaign since his debut in 2014, Fusitu'a said he was excited to secure his future with the Vodafone Warriors.
"I'm thankful to the club for having faith in me," he said on the eve of his 76th appearance in tomorrow night's Women in League round encounter with Newcastle.
"I grew up always wanting to be a part of the Vodafone Warriors and I'm committed to seeing this club succeed and doing something special here. This is where I want to be."
Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith said signing Fusitu'a for a long term underlined the club's desire to not only develop but retain the best players in the country.
"David is a shining example of the exceptional talent we have here in New Zealand," he said.
"Signing him through to 2023 is a signal that we place the highest value on elite players we have developed and the ones we see being a key part of our future. David's success is something for all young players to aspire to."
Fusitu'a goes into tomorrow night's contest against the Knights having scored 15 tries in 18 matches this season – 15 in his first 13 games of the year – to rank fourth among the NRL's top try scorers. The only player to appear in each of the club's 24 games last year, he has scored 27 tries in his last 42 matches while his career total now sits at 47 tries in 75 games. He has an impressive strike rate of a try every 1.59 games; of the club's leading try-scorers, only Manu Vatuvei is ahead of him with an average of a try every 1.48 games (152 tries in 226 matches).
DAVID FUSITU'A
Born: October 16, 1994
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Marist Saints
Position: Wing
Height: 189cm
Weight: 103kg
Rep Honours: 2 Tests for Kiwis (2016), 5 Tests for Mate Ma'a Tonga (2016-2017)
Club and FG Debut: v St George Illawarra, Eden Park, March 15, 2014 (Rd 2)
NRL Career: 75 appearances (2014-2018)
NRL Points: 188 (47 tries)
Intrust Super Premiership Career: 16 appearances (2014-2016)
Intrust Super Premiership Points: 48 points (12 tries)
NYC Career: 37 games (2012-2014)
NYC Points: 84 (21 tries)
