Rugby League: Paul Rauhihi offered a new contract with Warrington

Sep 5 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

VETERAN prop Paul Rauhihi has been offered a new 12-month contract with Warrington.

The former New Zealand international, who recently turned 34, made only 14 appearances in an injury-hit first season in Super League but has missed only one match this year.

Rauhihi, who is just four months younger than the oldest player in Super League – Catalans’ Australian forward Jason Croker – was in danger of being cut, but coach Paul Cullen was delighted to squeeze him under the club’s salary cap.

“He will provide us with that experience and guile we think we’re going to need next year,” said Cullen.

“We feel he’s got at least one more year left in him. He overcame a very serious back injury which stole his first season but he’s been relatively injury free for the vast majority of this year.

“We feel he has a role to play, both on and off the field.”

Rauhihi is in danger of missing Friday’s Super League derby with St Helens at Knowsley Road through suspension and, with prop Paul Wood already ruled out with a badly-dislocated shoulder, the Wolves have included 18-year-old academy forward Matty Blythe in their 20-man squad.

Warrington, who recently gave a debut to 18-year-old second-rower Lee Mitchell, are still beset with injuries but hope stand-off Chris Bridge will recover from a knee injury in time to face the leaders.

“We’re at the stage where the body blows are landing and they’re hurting us,” said Cullen.

“We’ll replace Paul Wood with Matty Blythe, who comes in from our Under-18s. Like Lee Mitchell, he is a young player with great potential who may need to get thrown in at the deep end.”

Meanwhile, St Helens reserve scrum-half Matty Smith has agreed a one-year contract extension that will see him remain at Knowsley Road at least until the end of the 2009 season.

The 20-year-old local product has made nine first-team appearances for the engage Super League champions this year when Sean Long was injured.

With Long struggling to overcome a hamstring strain, Smith would have been in line for a recall for the game against Warrington but he is currently sidelined after being injured in training.

Saints hope to have winger Francis Meli and second rower Mike Bennett back in their final home game of the regular season.