Tahs hold onto Hanigan
The 21-year-old made his debut for the Tahs last season in Round 11 against the Cheetahs after being promoted from the extended to the core playing squad due to his impressive work rate during the 2016 pre-season.
Born in Dubbo, NSW Hanigan said he didn't want to go anywhere else having come all the way through the NSW Rugby pathways.
"It means a great deal to me," Hanigan said.
I'm very thankful that I have the opportunity and am looking forward to staying," he added.
"It's a surreal experience to be able to pull on the NSW jersey.
"We've been talking about the heritage that the jersey holds and, with the new energy coming through and the leaders that we've got in the team, I'm really looking forward to it, it means a great deal to me.
"I came into the squad, into a professional environment, for the first time last year so I really want to just keep on learning from the guys who are here and have done it before.
"I learnt a great deal off Dave Dennis last year. He was a real mentor for me, showing me what it's like to be a professional footballer and having a long career.
"So my goals are much the same this year. I just want to try and pull the boots on a bit more and stay injury free."
One of nine players within the NSW Waratahs born and bred in country NSW, Hanigan backed up his three Super Rugby caps in 2016 with a set of outstanding performances for the NSW Country Eagles in last year's Buildcorp NRC. The 110 kilogram, 194 centimetre lock crossed for four tries in six games for the Eagles.
Growing up in Coonamble in the state's central west, Hanigan left there at the age of 12 to attend Sydney' rugby nursery, St. Joseph's College before being selected to represent his country with the Australian Schoolboys on their 2013 Grand Slam European tour.
Coming through the NSW Rugby pathways, Hanigan played in Randwick's Premiership-winning Colts side and NSW Under-20 in 2014.
He represented the NSW Under-20 again in 2015, before making the cut once more for the Australian Under-20 where he was considered one of the team's best.
