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Young New Zealand Warriors prop Sam Rapira has signed a contract committing himself to the National Rugby League (NRL) club until the end of 2012.
The 20-year-old originally signed until the end of next year but has now agreed to a three-year extension.
The Warriors say it is one of the NRL's longest contracts.
Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said Rapira deserved the long-term security after an outstanding start to his first-grade career.
"Ivan Cleary and the coaching staff always saw immense potential in Sam and he has certainly delivered on it," Scurrah said.
"We see Sam as one of the cornerstones on which the Warriors will be built in the years ahead."
The former Hamilton Boys High student played at first for the Hukanui club in Hamilton and then the Waicoa Bay Stallions in Bartercard Cup before making his NRL debut last year.
He had previously captained the Junior Kiwis and made his debut for the Kiwis in this year's Anzac Test.
"It was a dream to make my first-grade debut but I didn't expect it to all come so soon," he said.
"I've been so lucky to have players like Steve (Price) and Ruben (Wiki) around to teach me. I've learnt plenty off them and I've still got a lot more to learn.
"The club has been fantastic to me, so have the coaches and players and I want to repay the faith everyone has shown in me."
Rapira is one of only four players to appear in all 22 matches for the Warriors this season. He has made an average 91 metres per game and averages 21 tackles a game so far.
"For a 20-year-old, he's extremely mature as a person and a footballer and he's also very willing to listen and learn," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said.
- NZPA
