Wolves trio sign new deals

WARRINGTON Wolves are delighted to announce that three players, including Aussie ace Joel Monaghan, have extended their contracts at the club.
Building on the recent announcement that Lee Briers has also extended his contract for a further year, Australian winger Monaghan, (pictured above) forward Paul Wood, young centre Rhys Evans have all followed in his footsteps.
Wolves’ Head of Coaching and Rugby Tony Smith said: “I think all of them have worked hard and they are looking forward to continuing their association with us and also their commitment to us as a club. I am delighted that they are going to be involved, all for the various attributes they bring to us but I’m also a big one for continuity and consistency, and keeping things pretty stable. In a sporting club if you look at the most successful sport clubs they have a lot of stability at the top and amongst the players, and I am happy to work with the same sort of squad, with maybe a tweak here and there each year.”
Joel Monaghan was a new signing for this 2011 season joining from Canberra Raiders on a one-year contract in the off-season. Joel has now agreed a further three-year extension to keep him at Warrington until November 2014. He has brought strength to the back line and some new dimensions to the team. Having played at the highest level in Australia Joel is already making his mark on the team touching down for five tries.
“Joel has settled in particularly well and quickly which is quite unusual for an Australian or overseas player to fit in so quickly and look right at home. But Joel has managed to do that both on and off the field fitting in well with the players. Some of that may be to do with his brother and also Adrian Morley who he has played with before, but the guys have all taken to Joel. He is a good Rugby League player and has fitted in well to our environment,” said Tony.
Warrington faithful Paul Wood (pictured left) has signed a two-year extension keeping him at the Wolves until November 2013.
Wood came through the club’s academy ranks and made his debut back in 2000. He celebrated his 10-year testimonial last season and also played in the Carnegie Challenge Final at Wembley having missed out through injury in 2009.
The dynamic front-rower is a tough competitor down the middle of the field and is an integral part of the team with 247 first team appearances already to his name.
Tony added: “Paul is very talented and an exceptionally good off-loader of the ball. Paul has been playing very good Rugby League and has been doing so for a number of years, getting better and better. He has added a whole lot to his game and seems confident in what he’s doing. I am delighted for Woody, as he’s a real character to have within the team.”
Welsh-born centre Rhys (pictured right) has grown from strength to strength since his move to Warrington from Bridgend back in 2009 and has agreed a new and improved extended five-year contract with the club.
Rhys has represented both Wales and more recently England on the international scene, playing his part in the academy’s win over Australia. Having progressed through the Wolves academy representing at both under 18s and under 20s levels, Rhys was promoted to the first team training squad and is now making regular appearances for the first-team in Super League.
“Young Rhys is a talent and is learning a whole lot at the moment and will learn a whole lot more over the years. He’s playing some good Rugby League and will get better as he goes on, “ commented Tony. “It’s great to see his commitment to the club particularly when there are dangers of other sports and competitions there to nab talent. It was important to us to keep hold of Rhys and for him to feel like he wants to commit to us for that period we are delighted and I look forward to watching his career develop.”