MacGraff Leuluai takes pay cut to sign new Widnes deal

James Messenger 29 Oct 2019 3:35 PM

Widnes forward MacGraff Leuluai has signed a new deal with the club for the 2020 season.

The 29-year-old was already contracted to the club on a full-time deal, but has agreed to take a pay cut to remain at the Vikings for a 10th season.

Leuluai has played 190 times for the club, crossing for 14 tries, and featured 30 times during the 2019 season, helping the Vikings to book their first Wembley appearance in 26 years.

Given the decision to become a part-time operation, he has agreed to take a significant reduction in his salary to stay with Widnes, despite being contracted to a full-time deal agreed prior to administration.

He said: “I’m glad to have sorted this deal out and now I’m looking forward to getting back together with the lads ahead of the 2020 season.

“I’ve spent a long period of my life here in Widnes and it has become a second home for me, so there was no doubt in my mind that I would be staying here.

“After what we went through as a group and a club last season, we’re determined to make 2020 a great year and I’m looking forward to helping the club rebuild.

“Working under Tim Sheens is a brilliant opportunity for me and everyone else here at the club, he is a head coach with a lot of experience and I’m sure he will bring the best out of us all.

“We’re putting together an exciting squad for next season, and with everything we have learnt from playing in the Championship last year I’m hopeful we can be successful in 2020. I’m looking forward to preparing for next year and I can’t wait to play in front of the Widnes supporters for yet another season.”