Sport Jahrome Hughes signs contract extension with Melbourne Storm, rejects New Zealand Warriors

Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has put pen to paper on a contract extension, rejecting the advances of numerous other clubs including the New Zealand Warriors.

The Storm confirmed the news on Wednesday evening that the Kiwi half would be remaining in Victoria.

Hughes has made 58 appearances for the Storm since joining the club in 2017.

He only made 15 appearances across his first two seasons for the club, but since 2019 he has become one of the first names on Craig Bellamy's teamsheet.

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He was a part of Melbourne's 2020 Premiership-winning season, playing in 19 games and only losing one.

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A breakout performance from Melbourne fullback Jahrome Hughes has helped orchestrate a 32-10 win over the Warriors that ensures the Storm top the standings at the midway point of the NRL season. Not at their best until the second half, Melbourne were irrepressible in fighting back from 10-2 down late in Kiwi-born Hughes was the chief executioner, bagging the first double of his NRL career with crucial tries either side of halftime. Jahrome Hughes of the Storm scores a try against New Zealand Warriors . Phil Walter/Getty Images. The 24-year-old did so after switching to halfback, where he

Jahrome Hughes (born 8 October 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays Halfback for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL, and the New Zealand Māori and New Zealand at international level.

Ain't going nowhere.

More: https://t.co/ESwa6JJHGI pic.twitter.com/lyuKLuEMOu

— Melbourne Storm ???? (@storm) March 3, 2021

He has also made three appearances for New Zealand, all in 2019.

As reported by The Australian's Brent Read, Hughes has reportedly signed a two-year extension with the Melbourne Storm.

The contract also has the option for a third year and the deal is believed to be in excess of $2 million.

Jahrome Hughes is staying in Melbourne. Understand he has informed the clubs who were chasing him. Massive coup for the Storm @aus_sport

— Brent Read (@brentread_7) March 3, 2021

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Hughes is originally from New Zealand and the Warriors want to bring him home. The 26-year-old has history with recruiter Peter O'Sullivan, who lured him to the Roosters as a teenager. Jahrome Hughes is a man in demand. Credit:Getty Images. Melbourne are still waiting for Cameron Smith to announce his intentions. Club officials believe he is leaning towards retirement after setting up the possibility of a fairytale farewell. The veteran skipper hasn't completely closed the door on playing elsewhere, but Storm powerbrokers believe he has played his last game in the purple jersey.

Melbourne Storm has agreed to relocate its scheduled game against th e New Zealand Warriors from AAMI Back on the track and preparing for Friday night. Great to see Jahrome back training with the full squad! Melbourne Storm . 19 November 2019 ·. Four club favourites have signed on. Melbourne Storm has locked in contract extensions with four members of its forward pack

Bit more on Jahrome Hughes deal - it is for an additional 2 years with an option for a 3rd. Believed to be worth in excess of $2 million.

— Brent Read (@brentread_7) March 3, 2021

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The Panthers have also locked away two rising superstars with five-eighth Jarome Luai and centre Stephen Crichton signing extensions . Crichton will now be with Penrith until the end of 2023 while Luai has extended his deal a further season. That's something that has been drilled into me by all my coaches which I can appreciate. I can't wait to develop further and better myself over the coming years." Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels have signed former Bulldogs and Dragons centre Tim Lafai to a part-time Canterbury Cup NSW contract .

Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes will miss at least two rounds after suffering a broken hand during Friday evening’s game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Hughes signed with the Storm in 2017 and has represented the Melbourne -based club in 43 NRL games, scoring 15 tries. Teammate Josh Addo-Carr also had an injury scare during Friday’s game, clutching at his rib cage after a tackle in the first half. The star winger also played out the full 80 minutes and scored a stunning try in the 65th minute, albeit in considerable discomfort.

There was plenty of speculation that Hughes could return to New Zealand and link up with the Warriors.

New coach Nathan Brown initially ruled out the move at the end of 2020.

However, News Corp's Peter Badel is reporting that the Warriors offered Hughes a three-year deal around the $2.5 million mark.

Huge news for Storm who have won a tug of war for Jahrome Hughes.

Hughes has agreed to a three year deal, rejecting a $2.5 million bid from the Warriors.

Full details to come @cmail_sport

— Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) March 3, 2021

Speaking about his contract future last week on The Byron Cooke Show podcast, Hughes was open about the big drawcard the Storm had with their offer, the culture.

"As a player or as a person you want to get the best out of yourself as much as possible," Hughes said.

"When I was lucky enough to come down here, I knew I wasn't going to play any first grade but the lessons I (knew I) could learn from the club - the players and the coaching staff - it was just too hard to refuse.

"You see a club like the Melbourne Storm, or Craig Bellamy and their (football) manager Frank Ponissi, if they're interested in you, that's worth more than money."