NRL: Godinet deal may put Seymour out

Pita Godinet. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The latest Warriors' signing of halfback/five-eighth/hooker Pita Godinet could be a signal that the end of the road beckons for Brett Seymour.

Godinet and a batch of local players have added depth in the hooker and halves positions for future seasons. There remains no official decision on what will happen to first grade regulars Seymour and Aaron Heremaia - but Seymour's could well be the position most under threat.

Seymour's form has been improved lately but the halfback is not contracted beyond this year. His agent George Mimis did not return calls. Heremaia is expected to sign for an Australian or English club.

Warriors back-up hooker Alehana Mara and Auckland Vulcans utility Godinet have been signed on two-year contracts to the end of the 2013 season, while utility Isaac John has been signed again for 2012.

With James Maloney the club's first-choice five-eighth and Nathan Friend most likely to be the starting hooker when he arrives from the Titans, it could leave Godinet, John and the long-term contracted Shaun Johnson to contest the halfback spot next year.

In other retentions, prop Jacob Lillyman has signed until the end of the 2013 season, sealing an outstanding week where he made his fifth State of Origin appearance for victorious Queensland. Second rower Ukuma Ta'ai, Vulcans props James Gavet (21) and Saulala Houma (20), centre Ivan Penehe (21) and junior Warrior Konrad Hurrell (19) have signed one-year deals.

Godinet is arguably the biggest winner from the new deals. It is the 23-year-old's second contract upgrade in a matter of months and reinforces the club's intention to develop local players.

He was on a trial contract in the off-season but his form in pre-season trials earned him a one-year contract for 2011 - now extended to two years. Godinet played in three of the Warriors' four trials in February but is yet to make his NRL debut. He's sidelined at the moment with a sprained ankle but has been impressive for the top-of-table Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup. He was the Vulcans' player of the year in 2010 and made his test debut for Samoa against the Kiwis in October.

"I'm happy as. It's given me security," Godinet says. "Ivan [Warriors coach Cleary] had a chat and said he liked my attitude at training, I'm not doing anything wrong and could get a spot on the bench later in the season. There's obviously a lot of other halves but they won't all necessarily stay."

Vulcans coach Richie Blackmore expects his injured skipper to make a smooth transition to first grade.

"He's competitive, versatile, has lot of speed and a nice kicking game. He's threatening in most areas as a half which is a big reason we're travelling as well as we are."

Godinet is originally from the Richmond club and Blackmore says his signing bodes well for the programme to develop local New Zealand players for first grade.

"Obviously you can't keep all your players but it's important the Warriors show a healthy push towards developing home-grown talent to play at the highest level."