Huddersfield Giants coach Ian Watson has scotched suggestions that highly-rated halfback Will Pryce (pictured) is heading to Australia by revealing he has penned a new long-term Giants contract.
And the claret and gold chief says he hopes Pryce’s fellow 18-year-old, forward Fenton Rogers, will follow suit.
While Pryce, the son of former Great Britain and Super League star Leon, has made his mark since making his debut in the home clash with Catalans last month, prompting reports that a number of NRL clubs are circling, Rogers has been loaned to Championship club Oldham.
“Within a month of Will and Fenton coming up into the first-team frame, I spoke to the club about signing them both up long-term,” said Watson.
“There’s always going to be an interest in good players, but Will has signed up and we’re really happy with where we are with him. We will look after him the right way.
“Will wants to be a top player and you’ll get that speculation for however long he’s with us, but hopefully he’s with us for a long time – and he’s going nowhere.
“Hopefully he can see the club is going in the right direction to create a squad that will compete at the top end consistently. Will wants to achieve some big things.”
Pryce made his fifth start and seventh appearance in all as Huddersfield lost 18-12 at Salford on Friday.
It meant Watson’s team have suffered two Super League defeats against the side he left in November to take over at Huddersfield.
“I thought we were good enough to win the game, but we were our own worst enemies at times,” he said.
“It’s fine margins, but we’ve got to learn and be smart. Salford are a tough team and hard to beat, but they didn’t need a helping hand from us.”
Huddersfield head to Leeds on Thursday.
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