Gavet poised to sign upgraded Warriors deal
Late bloomer set to reap rewards for impressive early-season form
Front rower James Gavet is poised to re-sign with the Warriors on a two-year deal that will keep him at the club to the end of the 2019 NRL season. The Herald understands Gavet has earned a contract upgrade after a string of impressive performances since forcing his way into the Warriors starting side for the round five win over the Gold Coast Titans.
The 27-year-old has hit top form, with his abrasive running and tackling helping the Warriors win the contest around the ruck to provide halves Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran with room to move.
Gavet’s extension comes after he joined the Warriors on a trial basis in the late stages of pre-season training last year, before signing a one-year deal in February.
His return to New Zealand followed a frustrating run of injuries that limited him to just 14 games in stints with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos.
Speaking to media yesterday, Gavet remained guarded about his contract negotiations but made it clear he was hoping to remain in Auckland.
“[The Warriors] are in talks with my agent at the moment but he’s just looking for what’s best for me and I’ll James Gavet probably be hearing from him in the next couple of days,” said Gavet.
“My foundation has always been here. I grew up in Auckland and all my family and my kids are here, so it would be nice to [stay].
“But as far as the market goes, you still want to be somewhere where you’re getting what you’re worth.”
After undergoing shoulder surgery at the end of last season, Gavet has benefitted from a full pre-season and started the year strongly, playing the opening three rounds for the Warriors second tier Intrust Super Premiership side.
He was promoted to the bench for the Warriors round four defeat to St George Illawarra and showed enough in that match to be promoted the following week and has gone from strength to strength in the past month.
Gavet was overlooked for Samoa’s 10-30 defeat to England in Sydney last weekend but dual eligibility means he’s a contender to turn out either in the blue and white or the black and white of New Zealand at October’s World Cup.
With Melbourne front rower and Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich banned from the end-of-year tournament for his involvement in last week’s alleged drugs scandal in Canberra, Gavet could be the man to fill the breach for New Zealand coach David Kidwell.
“That’s all up to Kiddy and [Samoa coach] Matt Parish, because I think there’s a few boys out of the Samoan team, too,” he said.
“The international stage is always where you want to be and to represent your country or where you’ve been brought up, which is Samoa and New Zealand. I’d be honoured to hopefully get a jersey in either one of those colours.
“I’m just here to do my job. We’re not even halfway through the season yet, so I’m not really looking too far ahead.
“I’m just here to keep our Warriors boys on track and if they need me to go forward, I’ll do my best.”