Chris Lawrence has taken a step towards becoming a one club player with the Wests Tigers.
A new three year contract he signed yesterday means he will be the club at least until the end of the 2019 season.
The 27-year-old has played 175 NRL games for Wests Tigers since making his debut in 2006 and has crossed for 72 tries – the second most in the history of the joint venture club.
Lawrence has made a total of six Test appearances for Australia in 2010 and 2011, represented City Origin on three occasions (including captaining the side this year) and played three games for the Prime Minister’s XIII.
The Eagle Vale St Andrews junior was named vice-captain, along with Dene Halatau, in December last year and is also one of the club’s ambassadors for beyondblue.
“I’m really pleased to be able to stay at Wests Tigers and hopefully I can become a one club player,’’ Lawrence said.
“On an individual level, this is my first year as a full-time back rower, so I really want to grow and develop my game in that position – hopefully I can keep improving with each game I play there.
“From a team perspective, I want to get Wests Tigers back into the top eight, and the top four, because that’s where we should be,” he said.
Coach Jason Taylor highlighted the important role Lawrence plays in the side.
“Chris is an out and out professional who turns up every day and prepares himself in the absolute best possible way,’’ Taylor said.
“The thing with Chris is that he puts his body on the line every single week and plays with every ounce of energy that he has.
“His move to the backrow has been a really positive one, he has enjoyed it, and he is actually getting better as time goes on when it comes to knowing that role.”
Lawrence re-signing wasn’t the only positive news to emerge from the Wests Tigers camp this week, with centre/second rower Michael Chee Kam extending his contract for another season.
The 24-year-old has played a total of seven NRL games, with two of those appearances in Wests Tigers colours this season against the Knights and Rabbitohs.
The Mount Wellington Lions junior joined Wests Tigers for the 2016 season from the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he made five first grade appearances over two years.
Chee Kam represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2010.
