Simon Mannering has paid tribute to fellow Warriors stalwart Manu Vatuvei, describing the Salford-bound winger as an irreplaceable presence on and off the NRL field.

The 226-game powerhouse announced his departure from the Auckland-based club on Monday after 14 years of service and a record 152 NRL tries.

Mannering, who has spent his entire first-grade career alongside Vatuvei in the Warriors’ dressing room and first met him while on Junior Kiwis duty, labelled the 31-year-old Kiwi a league legend.

“What he’s done in the game, no-one’s done before – 10 tries for 10 years in a row, you can’t take that for granted,” back-rower Mannering said.

“I don’t know if there’ll be another player like him.

“When you think of the Warriors, you think of Manu. It’s sad to see him go but I’m happy for him as well, he’s looking forward to a change.

“If things are going good or going bad, he’s always there with a smile on his face – and that counts for a lot.”

The club will honour Vatuvei in various ways during Friday’s clash with the Panthers in Auckland, including renaming Mount Smart Stadium the “Manu Vatuvei Stadium” and handing out masks and t-shirts.

He has also been ceremonially named in the No.5 jumper, but will not play due to his Super League contract with Salford.

“It’d be best to honour him with a good performance,” Mannering said.