Ukuma Ta'ai signs one-year contract extension with Huddersfield
Monday 14 September 2015 11:05, UK
Huddersfield Giants back rower Ukuma Ta'ai will be staying with the club until at least the end of 2016 after signing a one-year contract extension.
The 27-year-old Tongan international is very popular with the Giants fans and has scored 23 tries in his 78 appearances.
"I am really happy as a Giant and have some great friends here at the club," said Ta'ai. "My wife is due to give birth soon to our third child and I am looking forward to all the family being back here in Huddersfield for the start of next season.
"We have a lot to do this year and I am happy that my form is good and that I can do my bit to help the boys to the end of the season.
"Next year we have Sam Rapira coming (the World Cup winner has signed a two-year deal), who is another good friend, and who I think will be awesome for us, so we can only get better with the younger lads pushing us too."
Coach Paul Anderson added: "Ukuma is now showing the form we all felt he had in him, prior to signing with us.
"He had a great pre-season and is reaping the rewards of being fully fit and enjoying regular game-time.
"He gives us options either side of the ruck or straight down the middle, such is his size and strength, and his retention has been viewed very positively by our group.
"He will join Larne Patrick, Ollie Roberts, Liam Johnson and a few other younger lads in challenging next year for the berth that Jack Hughes has nailed down for himself this year.
"There is no doubt that big, powerful mobile men who are handy on their feet are a scarce commodity in the UK game, and I think that Ukuma can go on to even bigger and better things here within an environment he is familiar and comfortable with."
