Hooker Nathaniel Roache has been signed by the Vodafone Warriors for a further two years.
The 21-year-old will now remain at Mount Smart Stadium until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
Named the club’s 2016 Vodafone NRL rookie of the year, the Mount Albert Lions junior has made a total of 20 first-grade appearances since his debut in the opening round last year.
“Nate is a big part of our plans,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney.
“He’s an impressive young man with a terrific attitude and work ethic.”
Roache, who played 40 times for the Vodafone Junior Warriors from 2014-2016, is one of 11 players from the club’s 2014 NYC title-winning grand final side who have gone on to play at NRL level.
He has also played 18 times for the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side.
NATHANIEL ROACHE
Date of Birth: April 15, 1996
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Mount Albert Lions
Position: Hooker
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 92kg
Rep Honours: Junior Kiwis (2016)
Previous Clubs: Nil
NRL Debut: v Wests Tigers, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, March 5, 2016 (Round 1)
NRL Career: 20 appearances (2016-2017)
NRL Points: 4 (1 try)
ISP Career: 18 appearances (2015-2017)
ISP Points: 20 (5 tries)
NYC Career: 40 appearances (2014-2016)
NYC Points: 52 (13 tries)
