Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have announced that Tinirau Arona has signed a contract extension with the club.
Arona joined the club from NRL side Cronulla Sharks prior to the start of the 2016 season, and has signed a new one-year deal, with the option of a further year, which would keep him at Trinity until 2018. TotalRL revealed yesterday that another key member of Chris Chester’s squad was set to pen a new deal, with the news of Arona’s extension emerging today.
He has become an integral part of Wakefield’s success this season, featuring in 12 of the 14 games this season, scoring his first tries for the club in the Challenge Cup fifth round win over Sheffield Eagles.
“I am very happy, it is good to know that I am secure here for another year and hopefully for a second year too. It was the right decision for me and my family and we are really happy here at the moment, I am now just looking forward to the rest of the season and the next,” he said.
“I’m enjoying my time playing under Chris Chester, he has brought a lot of structure and confidence to the team and I think this is what we needed. Earlier on in the season when we were not doing so well I knew there was only a matter of time before we started to bring some wins together and a lot of credit goes to Chezzy for doing this.”
Chester also revealed how pleased he was to have secured the new deal for Arona. “It’s another great signing for the club. I have been really impressed with his professionalism around the club,” he said.
“He offers a lot both on and off the field and I’m delighted we’ve been able to extend his current deal, to have a player of his quality at the club for at least another year is great news for everybody.”
“I’m delighted that Tinirau has committed to the club for at least another year. He is obviously enjoying his time here, and has been an excellent acquisition for Wakefield Trinity,” said Trinity chairman Michael Carter.
“It also improves the stability of the playing squad year on year, and with further contract renewals ongoing presently, we are probably only looking at a small number of new faces next season instead of the 12/13 that we’ve had to change for the last 3 years. It shows that Wakefield Trinity is a place players want to be at.”
