Bristol Bears’ superstar captain Steven Luatua has firmly put to bed any confusion he is out of contract at the Gallagher Premiership leaders at the end of the season.
During the Exeter Chiefs’ 20-12 victory over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last weekend in Round 17 of the Gallagher Premiership, BT Sport commentators cast doubt over the former All Blacks’ future in the West Country beyond this season when they suggested he is out of contract with club at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
The confusion seems to stem from the fact that in December 2018 Luatua signed a two-year contract extension which was due to expire in June of 2021.
However the 15-cap New Zealand international was one of the big-name stars to sign contract extensions in the summer of 2020 when the Bristol Bears announced 33 players had agreed new deals as director of rugby Pat Lam secured the core of his squad before the new reduced salary cap came into effect.
Earlier today Luatua, who turned 30 yesterday, took to social media to end any confusion.
He said: “Thanks for the birthday wishes. Appreciate the love.
“Also, more importantly, some noise that I’m off contract? Sorry to say, unlucky Bristol Bears you’re stuck with me for a couple more years.”
In the summer Bristol Bears did not publicly announce the length of any of the 33 players’ contracts but following Luatua’s Tweet, Bristol Live can confirm the former Auckland Blues forward is locked in at the Bears until at least the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.
Luatua joined Bristol the same summer Lam arrived in the West Country from Connacht in 2017, with the club in the Greene King IPA Championship having been relegated the previous year.
He helped the Bears to promotion in his first season and has progressively become more integral to the club as both a player and leader, being shortlisted for the Gallagher Premiership player of the season award in 2018/19.
After arriving at the club as a marquee signing, whose salary sits outside of the salary cap, the arrival of Semi Radradra, in addition to Charles Piutau, means his wage now falls within the cap.
In 2021/22 the Gallagher Premiership salary cap will be reduced from £6.4m to £5m, with additional credits for having homegrown players and England internationals.
