The South Sydney Rabbitohs have extended the contract of New Zealand international Bryson Goodwin for the 2016 and 2017 seasons today, as well as confirming the signing of outside back Michael Oldfield for the 2016 season, who will return home from the Super League at the end of this season.

Goodwin, 29, has extended his tenure at the Rabbitohs having joined the Club in 2013, going on to play 63 games in the red and green over three seasons.

Goodwin has played a total of 140 NRL games to date, as well as playing ten Test matches for New Zealand. Goodwin has recently been selected in the Kiwis train-on squad for their end-of-season tour to England.

Oldfield, 24, will join the Rabbitohs following a two-year stint with the Catalans Dragons, which was preceded by 25 NRL matches with the Sea Eagles and Roosters. Oldfield will add further pressure for spots on the end of the South Sydney backline in 2016. Oldfield was recently named in the Tonga squad for their Test match against the Cook Islands.

Head Coach Michael Maguire is pleased to see Goodwin commit to the Club for an extended period, and to have Oldfield joining the squad.

“Bryson has been one of our most consistent players over the past twelve months and he has given his all to any job we have put in front on him,” Coach Maguire said.

“We have a young backline so his experience at NRL and international level is very valuable to us.

“Michael will also add experience to our backline and will create more competition for spots which is always a good thing at a football club.

“I’m looking forward to working them both in 2016.”

Goodwin said he is happy to have his future sorted out.

“I love playing for this Club and alongside my team mates, so I’m really happy to have extended my time at Souths,” Goodwin said.

“We have enjoyed some success in recent seasons but we need to keep putting in and improving our game, and all of that starts again when we get back together for pre-season training.

“I feel that my game has improved working with ‘Madge’ and the coaching staff here at Souths, and I’m looking forward to getting as much out of the next pre-season as I can.”

Biographies:

Name: Bryson Goodwin

Date of Birth: 30 December 1985

Place of Birth: Parkes, NSW

Height: 186cm

Weight: 98kg

Position: Wing/Centre

Junior Club: Gymea Gorillas

Previous Clubs: Sharks (2007-08); Bulldogs (2009-12)

NRL Games: 140 (63 for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Points: 444 (90 for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Tries: 52 (19 for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Goals: 118 (7 for the Rabbitohs)

NRL Debut: Sharks vs Titans, Toyota Stadium, 25 August 2007 (Rd 24)

Club Debut: Rabbitohs vs Sharks, ANZ Stadium, 18 March 2013 (Rd 2)

Rep Honours: Ten Tests for New Zealand (2009, 2013); World Cup (2013); Four Nations (2009)

Name: Michael Oldfield

Date of Birth: 24 November 1990

Place of Birth: Sydney, NSW

Height: 187cm

Weight: 95kg

Position: Wing/Centre

Junior Club: Harbord United Devils

Previous Clubs: Sea Eagles (2010-12); Roosters (2013); Catalans (2014-15)

NRL Debut: Sea Eagles vs Dragons, WIN Jubilee Oval, 16 August 2010 (Rd 23)

First Grade Games: 69 (44 for Catalans; 24 for Sea Eagles; one for Roosters)

First Grade Points: 176 (29 tries for Catalans; 14 tries for Sea Eagles; one try for Roosters)

Rep Honours: One Test for Tonga (2013)