Canberra Raiders hookerย Siliva Havili's is set to sign a new two-year deal after filling in admirably for rake Josh Hodgson during his absence.
Havili signed a one-year deal with the Raiders following a dominant display for Tonga in the 2017 World Cup, and has a tremendous job at dummy half while Hodgson recovers from a knee reconstruction from a ruptured ACL.
Hodgson is ahead of schedule after initially targeting a return around round 16-18, but could be back for Canberra's round 15 clash with the Wests Tigers next week.
Havili has played played 12 games for the Raiders this season to take his NRL games tally to 36, with a previous stint at the New Zealand Warriors.
Raiders recruitment boss Peter Mulholland saidย Havili capitalised on his opportunity and showed his value in the first half of the season.
"We hope to have that finalised in the next 24 hours. He's made the most of every opportunity," Mulholland toldย The Sydney Morning Herald.
"He only needed to be given an opportunity. He's been a wonderful substitute for Josh Hodgson and the fact he can play 13 as well as he can play nine has made him even more valuable."
Canberra are also looking to lock down prop Charlie Gubb, who is currently weighing up his future and has battled through a groin injury this season.
Gubb's managerย Frank Endacott is set to meet with Raiders officials in the coming weeks, with a host of rival clubs bidding for the 28-year old's services.
"They want him to play in those two games so they can make a final decision on whether they're going to go ahead with the extension," Endacott toldย The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Don't make any mistake, I can get him somewhere else with a couple clubs, but he wants to stay at Canberra, but Canberra need to want him ...ย they've got two weeks to make a decision on him."
Halfback Aidan Sezer, forwardย Josh Papalii and propย Dunamis Lui are all closing in on extensions with Canberra, while the club is also keen to extend back Michael Oldfield.ย
