Warriors close to re-signing Foran replacement

The New Zealand Warriors are close to re-signing young gun Ata Hingano to a long-term contract.

The NZHerald.co.nz is reporting that Hingano is set to sign a new three-year deal with the Warriors that will keep him at the club until 2020.

With Kieran Foran leaving the club at the end of the season to move back to Sydney with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Hingano is first in line to take over at five-eighth.

Lucrative offers from both the Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos weren't enough to convince Hingano to leave New Zealand with the Warriors offering the best chance for him to play first grade next season.

The Warriors are rumoured to still be in the hunt for another half though, with the club hoping to lure Cronulla five-eighth James Maloney back to Mt Smart Stadium for a second stint.

They have also been linked with Panthers young half Te Maire Martin who has recently been relegated to playing reserve grade.