Bodene Thompson's Warriors future in doubt but Blake Ayshford signs on

Bodene Thompson's future in doubt at the Warriors Photo: Renee McKay / www.photosport.nz

Bodene Thompson's days at the Warriors could be numbered.

The Warriors' second rower is off contract at the end of this season, and it appears unlikely that he will be at Mt Smart in 2018 and beyond.

Negotiations have been ongoing between the player's representatives and the club for some time, but the New Zealand Herald understands that things are currently at a stalemate.

However there is better news for Blake Ayshford - who is very close to agreeing a new deal - while young halves Ata Hingano and Mason Lino have also recommitted to the NRL club.

It doesn't help Thompson's case that the club have signed Tohu Harris and Leivaha Pulu for next season, and the new duo are likely be be the first choice second row combination, alongside Simon Mannering at lock.

That would mean that Thompson would slip down the pecking order at the Auckland club, while the continuing emergence of Bunty Afoa and Isaiah Papalii will further boost back row stocks at Mt Smart.

Thompson hasn't helped his cause this season, with a series of unconvincing performances, including a sub-standard display in the Warriors 32-24 loss to the Eels in Sydney.

Thompson was one of the best players at the club in the 2015 season - especially in the first half of the year - and seemed a great recruit. But the 28-year-old has struggled to recapture his form since then.

He's been part of a vulnerable right edge defensively, with the Warriors being torn apart down that side in several games this season.

Sure, Thompson wasn't helped by playing out of position in the first three rounds (at hooker in round one against the Knights and in the centres in round two and three) but he has also struggled to match his output from the previous two years.

He's averaging only 50 running metres a game this season (down from 85 metres in the previous two years) and hasn't had the same impact with ball in hand.

"I don't know my plans for next season yet," Thompson told the Herald last month. "I will handle it week by week and then whatever happens, happens.Obviously you always want to stay at the Warriors but you need to take care of business out on the field each week first."

Ayshford's new contract is a reward for pure hard work.

The 29-year-old started the season in reserve grade, after being a regular first grader (22 games)last year.

But he has proved his worth since his return to the NRL team in round four and seems to be one of first picked each week by coach Stephen Kearney.

Ayshford is never going to be a dynamic game breaker, but the 156-game veteran is an important presence among the young players around him in the backline and has been rewarded with a one year contract.