New deal for Rauhihi

Rauhihi: new contract

We feel he has a role to play, both on and off the field

Warrington coach Paul Cullen on Paul Rauhihi
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Warrington have announced that veteran prop Paul Rauhihi has signed a 12-month contract extension with the club.

The 34-year-old former New Zealand international endured a tough Super League baptism last year - a back injury restricting Rauhihi to just 14 appearances.

However, he has missed just one match this season, and despite nearly becoming a victim of the club's salary cap, Rauhihi is set to stay at the Halliwell Jones Stadium - to the delight of Wolves coach Paul Cullen.

"He will provide us with that experience and guile we think we're going to need next year," Cullen said.

"We feel he's got at least one more year left in him. He overcame a very serious back injury which stole his first season but he's been relatively injury free for the vast majority of this year.

"We feel he has a role to play, both on and off the field."

Blythe gets the call

Meanwhile, with Rauhihi suspended following his dangerous tackle on Huddersfield's Paul Jackson last week, and fellow prop Paul Wood out with a dislocated shoulder, Warrington have included 18-year-old academy player Matty Blythe in their squad for Friday's derby with St Helens.

With Blythe following 18-year-old second-rower Lee Mitchell into Warrington's first-team squad, Cullen added that such moves may become more commonplace as the season reaches its climax.

"We're at the stage where the body blows are landing and they're hurting us," he added.

"We'll replace Paul Wood with Matty Blythe, who comes in from our Under-18s. Like Lee Mitchell, he is a young player with great potential who may need to get thrown in at the deep end.

"A lot of our younger players are getting decent game time and hopefully they will benefit from it."

The club are also hoping that stand-off Chris Bridge will recover from his knee injury in time for the visit to Knowsley Road, as Warrington, currently sixth, look to help secure a playoff place.