Contract boost for veteran Rauhihi

1:15pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

Warrington have given prop forward Paul Rauhihi a new contract for 2009 which will see the veteran New Zealander playing beyond his 36th birthday.

The former North Queensland Cowboy, who at 35 is only three years younger than head coach James Lowes, has enjoyed a vintage third season with the Wolves, who are pushing for a fourth-place finish in the engage Super League.

"He's had a good year for us and his reward is an extension to his contract, which he fully deserves," said Lowes.

Catalans Dragons second-rower Jason Croker, who is seven months older than Rauhihi, is the oldest player in Super League.

Warrington have also given a new deal for next season to 22-year-old prop Steve Pickersgill and exercised 12-month options on the contracts of winger Chris Riley, 20, and forward Mike Cooper, 19.

It means that all Warrington's current players are contracted for 2009.

Both Rauhihi and Riley look certain to miss the Wolves' penultimate league match at Castleford on Sunday after being injured in their side's 36-34 home defeat by Hull KR.

Rauhihi, one of only three ever-presents for Warrington this year, pulled a groin muscle while Riley, who has scored 10 tries in his last 11 matches, suffered concussion and will undergo a mandatory head examination later this week to assess his fitness.

On the positive side, prop Paul Wood showed no ill-effects on his return from a shoulder injury and will make his third appearance of the season on Saturday.

"It would have been nice to have had both Paul Wood and Paul Rauhihi in the side this week," said Lowes. "We will miss him."

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