Rhys Hanbury signs three-year deal

Widnes utility player Rhys Hanbury has ended speculation about his future by signing a new three-year deal with the club.

Rhys Hanbury: New three year deal for Widnes star

The 27-year-old former South Sydney and Wests Tigers player was out of contract at the end of the season and he had been linked with big-spending Salford.

Hanbury has scored 157 points, including 22 tries, in 36 appearances since joining Widnes from Crusaders 18 months ago and he says his decision to stay with the Vikings was not a tough one to make.

"It's good to get my future settled," he said. "It was an easy decision to stay at the club and in the Super League competition but returning home was definitely another big option for me and my partner.

"When I first arrived in this country, the original plan was to just give it a go for a couple of seasons at most but we've been over here for four years now and we're still enjoying ourselves."

Coach Denis Betts added: "Rhys has really come on this year and is enjoying his rugby. Before he got injured, he was definitely one of the form players in Super League.

"Being out of contract, we know that he could have chosen a number of clubs to go to.

"Ultimately, the decision was down to him and he chose to remain at Widnes. We're really pleased that he will be contributing massively towards the future of this club."