SYDNEY - Rising Kiwis star Krisnan Inu sealed his future with the Parramatta club until 2010 yesterday as his coach predicted he could become the premier centre in rugby league.
Inu, 21 in March, confirmed a contract extension with the Eels, meaning he will play at least threemore seasons in blue and yellow after his stunning breakthrough year in the top flight in 2007.
Coach Michael Hagan said Inu, who made his test debut against Australia last April after one National Rugby League (NRL) match, would form a lethal centre duo with his good mate Jarryd Hayne.
"Based on his first year in the NRL he's one of the form players in the game," Hagan said.
"He and Timana [Tahu] formed a tremendous combination on that left-hand side and Krisnan scored some tries that a lot of other guys couldn't score.
"He's had that ability as a kid at the club for a long time and I think he'll develop physically and mentally over the next year or two, and he and Jarryd could be two of the best centres in the game."
Inu played 18 NRL matches in his debut season, scoring 12 tries and kicking 34 goals.
He played his second test in the 0-58 thrashing from Australia in October, in which he suffered the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the forgettable European tour.
Inu steered clear of the Kiwis coaching controversy which saw Gary Kemble resign on Saturday and Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett firm as his replacement.
"Getting the news after the game I wasn't able to go overseas with the boys was pretty heartbreaking, but there's always going to be another test so that kept me going," he said.
"My main goal for test footy is just get selected in the squad. Coaching-wise I've got no say because I wasn't on tour and I didn't get to know Gary Kemble as much as the other boys."
Inu had two months of rehabilitation on his shoulder but feels ready to hit the ground running in the Eels' NRL season opener against the Bulldogs on March 15.
