Samuela Fainu has signed a two-year contract extension with the Wests Tigers, locking the young backrower in until the end of the 2029 NRL season.
The new deal, confirmed on NRL.com on Thursday, means the 22-year-old will not hit the open market on November 1.
Fainu was already signed until the end of 2027 and was regarded as the Tigers’ biggest name who could have spoken to rival clubs from next month.
Long viewed as a future captain at the club, he is the player coach Benji Marshall hopes to build his forward pack around over the coming seasons.
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What Fainu said
“Benji Marshall values family and, for me, that’s one of the most important things in my life,” Fainu said.
“He not only wants me to be the best footy player I can be, but he also wants me to be the best version of myself off the field, and that’s something that you can’t find in many places.
“Within the group, we have achieved so much already. You can see the changes we’ve made, and I truly feel we are building towards something very special here.
“As a player, I have learnt so much here and I know I still have more to learn, but I’m eager to lead and guide the younger boys next season.”
The reported price
The Tigers have not released the value of the contract. Code Sports reported earlier this week that the extension was worth around $1.6 million, or about $800,000 a season, with ratchet clauses that could lift it past $1 million a year as the salary cap rises from 2028. The same report said at least three rival clubs were interested in Fainu.
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The deal also keeps the Fainu brothers together at Concord, with older brother Sione having signed a three-year contract extension in February.
The Tigers are now expected to turn their attention to the third brother, playmaker Latu Fainu, according to Code Sports.
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