Former Kiwis wing Taniela Tuiaki, who has missed the entire National Rugby League (NRL) season after breaking an ankle a year ago, has extended his stay at the Wests Tigers.
It had been feared Tuiaki's career was in jeopardy given the time it has taken to recover from the injury sustained last August 21 against Parramatta but the club has agreed to sign the 28-year-old a one-year incentive-based deal.
The four-test Kiwis international has developed a cult following at the Wests Tigers after scoring 21 tries in 22 matches this year -his popularity and work ethic were factors in club management giving him an opportunity to resurrect his career in 2011.
"Taniela's been great for us and he's very popular for the team and the fans," said Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys.
"That's why we've erred on the side of supporting one of our own.
"We all hope for the best with Taniela. The deal is incentive-based but it gives him some security. We were quite happy to take the risk," Humphreys told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
"He's given us his all and we're quite confident that if Taniela continues to work hard, and keeps his rate of recovery going, he'll make it back.
Tuiaki, who has required two operations to mend the ankle, is on a minimum-wage base salary with the addition of match payments and bonuses for reaching 10 and 20-game milestones next season.
In a positive development Tuiaki returned to training this week and was able to run at full pace. There remains a slight possibility the barnstorming finisher may make a comeback at NSW Cup level before the end of the season but he is more likely to wait until next year.
