| HENDO EXTENDS WARRIORS DEAL |
| Friday, 15 May 2009 08:41 | |
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The 26-year-old hooker, in his second year with the NZ Warriors, has signed to stay on at Mt Smart Stadium until the end of the 2011 NRL season. Ian joined Bradford Bulls in 2005 and had an instant impact playing a key role in the side that won the Super League grand final and the 2006 World Club Challenge. Prior to joining the Bulls Hendo played his footy with the Sydney Roosters and Paramatta Eels. Ian was keen to return to the NRL after his successful stint in Super League and the opportunity to work with Ivan Cleary, who had coached him in the NSW Premier League, was a key factor in his decision to move to the Warriors. Since missing the opening round of the NRL against then Premier Melbourne Storm last year, Hendo has been ever-present in the side, playing in 34 straight games for the Warriors and establishing himself as a key figure in the Warriors side that made it to within one game of the NRL Grand Final only to come up against Scotland star winger Michael Robertson and an inspired performance from his Manly Sea Eagles side. Warriors Head Coach Cleary said, "Hendo's such an aggressive footballer with plenty of cheek about him," "He's been great for our side since the day he arrived and he's got a lot more to offer."
On Sunday 26th October 2008 Ian and brothers Andrew and Kevin all played in a competitive game together for the same time in the 36-18 loss to France before all taking to the field again together for Scotland's first ever World Cup win in the 18-16 against Fiji at Bluetounge Stadium in Gosford, only 10km down the Central Coast Highway from their family home in Terrigal. At the match in Gosford the Henderson lads were boosted by a massive support of over 100 family and friends including their biggest supporter, their Glasgow born father Martin. |
