Roosters coup: Premiers lock down another star on huge contract

While the Latrell Mitchell saga rolls on, it hasn’t slowed down the Roosters’ retention drive elsewhere after the back-to-back premiers locked down another key member to a new deal.

Siosiua Taukeiaho has signed a bumper new deal with the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

• Revealed: Why Wests Tigers turned their back on Latrell

• Gone: Another star departs as Raiders count cost of success

The Sydney Roosters have secured the future of Tongan powerhouse Siosiua Taukeiaho, the man many now regard as the best front-rower in the NRL.

The 29-year-old prop spearheaded the Roosters to back to back premierships this year then Tonga to victories over Great Britain and the Kangaroos, averaging 195 metres in the two Test matches.

His new contract at the Roosters, until the end of the 2022 season, comes just a week after the club also extended the contract of his front-row partner Jarred Waerea-Hargreaves.

Stream the Australia v Pakistan Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Siosiua Taukeiaho has signed a bumper new deal with the Roosters. Picture: Brett Costello

He gets a huge pay rise from around $300,000-a-season to more than $700,000 to justify his position as arguably the premier prop in the game.

Three rival NRL clubs had expressed interest through his agent.

“I love this club and it’s a big honour to be part of the team here at the Roosters,” Taukeiaho said.

“Robbo and the coaches have done a lot for me. With all the staff, we’re like one big family so I’m very happy to extend my time here.”

While the more glamorous players such as James Tedesco, Cooper Cronk, Luke Keary, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner dominated the headlines for much of 2019, it was Taukeiaho and Waerea-Hargreaves who laid the foundations for their back-to-back titles.

Sio Siua Taukeiaho of the Roosters (centre) reacts after scoring a try during the Round 19 NRL match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters at Lottoland in Sydney, Sunday, July 22, 2018. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

It is a huge coup for Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who has developed Taukeiaho into such a barnstorming middle forward since he joined the club in 2015.

“Siua has worked hard to get to where he is, and he is always looking at ways to be better,” Robinson said.

“He is also developing into a strong leader. It’s really pleasing to have Siua locked in to our club’s long-term plans.”

Originally published as Roosters coup: Premiers lock down another star on huge contract