NRL: Hooker in talks to remain at Mt Smart

Ian Henderson is the next target as the Warriors go through the list of off-contract players they would like to keep beyond 2009.

The 25-year-old hooker has been with the Warriors for two seasons and they are keen to take up an option for next year.

"We have indicated a desire to keep him and Ian has indicated a desire to stay," Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said. "We haven't offered him anything formally but we have begun talks."

Henderson has missed only one game since arriving at Mt Smart Stadium and he has chimed in with seven tries in 31 games. He is a rugged player - he describes himself as "a grub" - who makes good metres out of dummy half and is strong defensively.

The Warriors have already re-signed Simon Mannering, Jerome Ropati and Lance Hohaia this season and next month will consider which halves to keep.

They are awash with options in the halves but Nathan Fien, Stacey Jones, Aaron Heremaia, Liam Foran and Isaac John are all off contract.

Skipper Steve Price, Evarn Tuimavave, Aidan Kirk, Patrick Ah Van and Malo Solomona are others off contract at the end of 2009.

Scurrah said they were waiting for Price to say what he wanted to do and would jump at the chance if he decided to extend his career into a 17th season.