Sydney Roosters' Mr. Fix-It Hugo Savala has been rewarded for his patience and versatility with a two-year contract extension.
Savala, bumped from the halves when Daly Cherry-Evans arrived, has impressed mostly as a fill-in centre this NRL season and remains with the Bondi club through 2028.
The rangy 24-year-old has also come on from the bench for minutes at lock and filled in as a half during Sam Walker's absence for State of Origin duty.
In the week that Wests Tigers half Adam Doueihi dropped himself rather than play out of position at lock, Savala's flexibility has paid a handsome dividend.
Far from Cherry-Evans' arrival forcing Savala out, the local product will likely now be at the club to one day replace the veteran, who has not decided whether to play on in 2027.
"The Sydney Roosters mean a lot to me. I came through the junior reps here and I've always dreamed of making a career at this club, so I'm really happy to be staying," Savala said.
Savala made his NRL debut in an upset win against then-reigning premiers Penrith early last year, one of the Roosters' most memorable wins in recent years.
The 24-year-old came from the clouds to spend most of last season as a first-choice playmaker, ahead of Sandon Smith and premiership-winning veteran Chad Townsend.
Savala has played 35 NRL games to date and will add to that tally as the second-placed Roosters look to firm up a top-four finish and deep run into the finals.
