Five of the Vodafone Warriors younger NRL squad members have today been re-signed for at least another season. Photos: Photosport.
Props Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi and Charlie Gubb plus utility Pita Godinet have had their contracts extended to the end of the 2014 season while giant forward Sam Lousi has been secured until the end of 2015.
Of the quintet only Gubb is yet to make his NRL debut but has filled the 18th man role this year.
The towering Lousi brothers and Gubb have all been developed by the Vodafone Warriors through the clubs NYC side while Godinet and Matagi have come through the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup to earn fulltime contracts. Sam Lousi was in the NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors sides in 2010 and 2011 while Gubb was in the champion 2010 side; Sione Lousi was a Vodafone Junior Warrior in 2008 and 2009.
All five featured in the Vodafone Warriors preseason trials with Godinet going on to claim a regular interchange spot through most of the campaign so far while Matagi became Vodafone Warrior No 181 when he debuted against the Bulldogs at Westpac Stadium on May 11.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott is excited about what all five players have to offer the club.
They all prepared really well for the season and are perfect examples of the way we want to see players emerging and growing through our system, he said.
Pita has done a terrific job for us this year, Suaia has really earned his shot in the NRL and Charlie is pushing hard for his chance.
Its been a tough year for Sione and Sam. Sam is only just back from injury and Sione is in rehab after knee surgery but theyre both fantastic prospects.
Todays announcement follows the recent contract extensions for five of the clubs most promising prospects Ngani Laumape, David Bhana, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Siliva Havili and Albert Vete. Theyll all be in the NRL squad next season, Laumape having already made six NRL appearances this year while still being eligible to play in the NYC.
The five NRL signings announced today and the extensions for the five young players three weeks ago are all critical to building depth and competition in our NRL squad, said Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell.
They also underline our commitment to developing our players through all levels of our system and show the pathways available to them.
Of this years NRL squad 19 came up after playing for the clubs NYC team after the competition was introduced in 2008. Others like Manu Vatuvei, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Thomas Leuluai and Jerome Ropati are all products of the clubs development system.
PITA GODINET
Date of Birth: December 21, 1987
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior Clubs: Sydenham Swans, Woolston Rovers
Position: Hooker/Halfback
Height: 174cm
Weight: 85kg
Previous Clubs: Richmond Rovers
Rep Honours: 1 Test for Samoa 2010
Vodafone Warrior No: 170
NRL Debut: v South Sydney, ANZ Stadium, July 24, 2010 (Round 20)
NRL Games: 18 (2011-13), 16 points (4 tries)
Secondary School: St Pauls College
CHARLIE GUBB
Date of Birth: May 17, 1990
Birthplace: Wellington, NZ
Junior Club: University Hunters (Wellington)
Position: Prop
Height: 188cm
Weight: 107kg
Previous Clubs: Wynnum-Manly (Brisbane)
Rep Honours: Queensland Residents 2012
NRL Debut: Yet to make debut
Secondary School: Wellington College (Wellington)
SAM LOUSI
Date of Birth: July 20, 1991
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Richmond Rovers
Position: Prop/Second Row
Height: 198cm
Weight: 118kg
Rep Honours: Junior Kiwis 2010-11
Previous Clubs: Nil
Vodafone Warrior No: 175
NRL Debut: v Newcastle, Mount Smart Stadium, July 21, 2012 (Round 20)
NRL Games: 2 (2012), 0 points
Secondary School: St Pauls College (Auckland)
SIONE LOUSI
Date of Birth: October 8, 1989
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Richmond Rovers
Position: Prop
Height: 191cm
Weight: 106kg
Previous Clubs: Bay Roskill Vikings
Rep Honours: 1 Test for Tonga 2010
Vodafone Warrior No: 159
NRL Debut: v Gold Coast, Skilled Park, March 14, 2010 (Round 1)
NRL Games: 31 (2010-12), 4 points (1 try)
Secondary School: St Pauls College (Auckland)
SUAIA MATAGI
Date of Birth: March 23, 1988
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Te Atatu Roosters
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 105kg
Previous Clubs: Mount Albert Lions
Rep Honours: New Zealand Residents 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Vodafone Warrior No: 181
NRL Debut: v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Westpac Stadium, May 11, 2013
NRL Games: 2 (2013), 0 points
Secondary School: Kelston Boys High School (Auckland)
Props Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi and Charlie Gubb plus utility Pita Godinet have had their contracts extended to the end of the 2014 season while giant forward Sam Lousi has been secured until the end of 2015.
Of the quintet only Gubb is yet to make his NRL debut but has filled the 18th man role this year.
The towering Lousi brothers and Gubb have all been developed by the Vodafone Warriors through the clubs NYC side while Godinet and Matagi have come through the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup to earn fulltime contracts. Sam Lousi was in the NYC premiership-winning Vodafone Junior Warriors sides in 2010 and 2011 while Gubb was in the champion 2010 side; Sione Lousi was a Vodafone Junior Warrior in 2008 and 2009.
All five featured in the Vodafone Warriors preseason trials with Godinet going on to claim a regular interchange spot through most of the campaign so far while Matagi became Vodafone Warrior No 181 when he debuted against the Bulldogs at Westpac Stadium on May 11.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott is excited about what all five players have to offer the club.
They all prepared really well for the season and are perfect examples of the way we want to see players emerging and growing through our system, he said.
Pita has done a terrific job for us this year, Suaia has really earned his shot in the NRL and Charlie is pushing hard for his chance.
Its been a tough year for Sione and Sam. Sam is only just back from injury and Sione is in rehab after knee surgery but theyre both fantastic prospects.
Todays announcement follows the recent contract extensions for five of the clubs most promising prospects Ngani Laumape, David Bhana, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Siliva Havili and Albert Vete. Theyll all be in the NRL squad next season, Laumape having already made six NRL appearances this year while still being eligible to play in the NYC.
The five NRL signings announced today and the extensions for the five young players three weeks ago are all critical to building depth and competition in our NRL squad, said Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell.
They also underline our commitment to developing our players through all levels of our system and show the pathways available to them.
Of this years NRL squad 19 came up after playing for the clubs NYC team after the competition was introduced in 2008. Others like Manu Vatuvei, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Thomas Leuluai and Jerome Ropati are all products of the clubs development system.
PITA GODINET
Date of Birth: December 21, 1987
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior Clubs: Sydenham Swans, Woolston Rovers
Position: Hooker/Halfback
Height: 174cm
Weight: 85kg
Previous Clubs: Richmond Rovers
Rep Honours: 1 Test for Samoa 2010
Vodafone Warrior No: 170
NRL Debut: v South Sydney, ANZ Stadium, July 24, 2010 (Round 20)
NRL Games: 18 (2011-13), 16 points (4 tries)
Secondary School: St Pauls College
CHARLIE GUBB
Date of Birth: May 17, 1990
Birthplace: Wellington, NZ
Junior Club: University Hunters (Wellington)
Position: Prop
Height: 188cm
Weight: 107kg
Previous Clubs: Wynnum-Manly (Brisbane)
Rep Honours: Queensland Residents 2012
NRL Debut: Yet to make debut
Secondary School: Wellington College (Wellington)
SAM LOUSI
Date of Birth: July 20, 1991
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Richmond Rovers
Position: Prop/Second Row
Height: 198cm
Weight: 118kg
Rep Honours: Junior Kiwis 2010-11
Previous Clubs: Nil
Vodafone Warrior No: 175
NRL Debut: v Newcastle, Mount Smart Stadium, July 21, 2012 (Round 20)
NRL Games: 2 (2012), 0 points
Secondary School: St Pauls College (Auckland)
SIONE LOUSI
Date of Birth: October 8, 1989
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Richmond Rovers
Position: Prop
Height: 191cm
Weight: 106kg
Previous Clubs: Bay Roskill Vikings
Rep Honours: 1 Test for Tonga 2010
Vodafone Warrior No: 159
NRL Debut: v Gold Coast, Skilled Park, March 14, 2010 (Round 1)
NRL Games: 31 (2010-12), 4 points (1 try)
Secondary School: St Pauls College (Auckland)
SUAIA MATAGI
Date of Birth: March 23, 1988
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Te Atatu Roosters
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 105kg
Previous Clubs: Mount Albert Lions
Rep Honours: New Zealand Residents 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Vodafone Warrior No: 181
NRL Debut: v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Westpac Stadium, May 11, 2013
NRL Games: 2 (2013), 0 points
Secondary School: Kelston Boys High School (Auckland)
