NRL: Warriors put faith in Cleary

Coach Ivan Cleary has guided the Warriors through to the playoffs in 2007 and 2008. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Coach Ivan Cleary says he appreciates the faith the Warriors have shown in him after he signed a two-year contract extension with the National Rugby League club.

The extension takes Cleary, who took over at the Warriors at the start of 2006, through to the end of 2012.

"I feel really privileged to have this job," he said.

"For the club to have so much faith in me is really nice."

Cleary noted that he became coach about the same time as other key figures came on board at the Warriors, such as chief executive Wayne Scurrah, executive director of football John Hart, assistant coach John Ackland and trainers Craig Walker and Dayne Norton.

"We all sort of started together and the club has come a long way on and off the field," he said.

"Certainly off the field, it's in great shape and to be part of that for another few years is great."

Cleary was handed the reins in difficult circumstances, and his first season was blighted by the fallout from salary cap breaches under the Warriors' previous management.

However, both in 2007 and last year, he guided the club to the play-offs.

The announcement of his contract extension comes after the Warriors ended a three-match losing streak last weekend with a 14-0 win over the Wests Tigers to move up to 10th on the table.

Hart said the club was delighted to secure Cleary well ahead of the expiry of his current contract, adding that the Warriors had made excellent progress over the past three and a half sea-sons.

Extending Cleary's tenure was also aimed at creating a stable environment.

- NZPA