NRL: Third party deal helps keep Vatuvei

Manu Vatuvei will now be the New Zealand NRL franchise's highest-paid player. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The third party component of the deal that will keep Manu Vatuvei at the Warriors for at least three more seasons may not be revealed for some time because of a wrangle between the NRL Players' Association and the NRL.

A significant third party contribution (money from a source outside of the club) was widely believed to be a vital factor in keeping Vatuvei at the Warriors in the face of massive offers from the likes of French rugby.

Any such deals have to be ratified by the NRL. That can't happen, however, until the NRL and the Players' Association come to an agreement over a new rule, introduced in the wake of the Storm salary cap scandal, that all players must sign declarations stating their contracts comply with salary cap regulations.

Vatuvei is believed to have no objection to signing such a declaration, however, the Players' Association has objected to the rule change on the grounds that it was not consulted.

Vatuvei has agreed terms with the Warriors but his contract cannot be lodged with the NRL until the dispute is resolved.

With the third party component of the deal not yet signed off, Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah was remaining tight-lipped about the source of the top-up funding, saying the sponsors would announce themselves "at the right time".

"Obviously, the club is fronting up with a fair bit of coin as well," Scurrah said. "But we have had fantastic support from people who have said 'if you need us to do anything we can'.

"We have been delighted I guess with the galvanising of the fan base of the club, wanting to get in behind and make sure Manu remains a Warrior."

Neither Vatuvei nor the club would reveal the value of a two-year extension that will keep him in Auckland until the end of the 2013 season, however as the game's leading strike winger his value would likely be in excess of $500,000 a season. In the wake of the departure of Steve Price and Brent Tate, such a figure would make him the club's highest-earning player.

"Manu has got everything he deserves because he is an absolute hero of the Warriors," Scurrah said.

"I can't talk about [the value of the contract] but he is certainly a marquee player in the NRL and deservedly so."

With Price retiring and Tate opting to return to Queensland with the Cowboys, the relief at Vatuvei's retention was evident yesterday.

Officials were aware that also losing the talismanic winger would have been a public relations and marketing disaster as it embarks on a campaign to recruit members for next season. Instead Vatuvei, who will become the third player after Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil to qualify for a 10-year testimonial, will be at the forefront of that campaign.

"I never pictured myself at another club," Vatuvei said after the completion of a three-month negotiation.

"The club has done big things for me. I've been at the club since I first started and have developed as a player. I couldn't have done it without them. I wouldn't be the player I am right now."

With the club having struggled to attract big name Australian players since its inception, Vatuvei's development from battler to superstar provides a blueprint for the future.

"Manu has come through everything the game can throw at you in terms of adversity and he has come out the other side," coach Ivan Cleary said.

"I see it as a marquee signing from within. That is a real positive and a great reflection on how we have been building over the last few seasons."

Vatuvei joins forward Ben Matulino as the only players contracted for 2013.

Among the next signings will be those promoted from the under-20 ranks. Fullback Glen Fisiiahi, outside back Ivan Penehe, back rower Matt Robinson and hooker Nafe Seluini are likely to be added to next year's squad.

MANU VATUVEI

Born: March 4, 1986.

Position: Wing.

Height:189cm.

Weight: 112kg.

NRL career: 110 appearances for Vodafone Warriors, 2004-2010.

NRL Points: 300 (75 tries).