Miserable European weather and a reluctance to leave his flatmate, Tatafu Polota-Nau, convinced Test No.8 Wycliff Palu to stay in Australia and play the next three seasons with the Waratahs.

Palu, 25, had received offers from several European clubs, but yesterday decided to follow five-eighth Kurtley Beale and utility back Lachlan Turner in committing himself to the Waratahs until the end of the 2010 season.

Money wasn't the only factor in Palu's decision to remain in Sydney. The home front was also crucial. Palu has recently been flatting with Polota-Nau in Paddington where, despite problems with their TV reception, the Test back-rower has become a parental figure to the back-up hooker. Polota-Nau was yesterday deeply grateful that Palu was staying put.

"I was a bit worried because I wouldn't have had anyone to do my washing, my ironing, or have someone to pack my bags when we go away on tour," Polota-Nau said yesterday. "Now I'm stoked."

Palu was as concerned about what would happen to his fellow forward if he headed north.

"There were a few offers from Europe, but it's too cold over there," he said. "I'd rather stay here. And if I left, there would be no one to look after Tatafu. That factor was what probably got the deal over the line. So I've got another two years to keep an eye on him."

Another important issue was that even though he has 17 Test caps and has made 33 appearances for the Waratahs, Palu believes there is still a great deal of improvement in his game, and that it would develop if he remained in the southern hemisphere.

"I'm happy with the deal, and it's the right decision, because I've still got a lot to learn," he said. "At the breakdown, sometimes I get lost. At the mauls, I get lost as well. I am still learning all the little technical things."

And the focus remains local, as one TV reporter found yesterday when he asked Palu why the Waratahs' next opponents - the Chiefs - were so powerful when playing at home, but struggled when away. Palu smiled, shook his head and replied: "I wouldn't have a clue."

While the Waratahs and Wallabies are delighted Palu remains in the fold, NSW Rugby Union officials were equally as enthused with the attendance for the first Super 14 round, with 27,011 spectators attending the Sydney Football Stadium match against the Hurricanes on Saturday night.

The NSWRU depends heavily on its home gate for revenue, with a considerable drop in spectator numbers usually leading to a financial loss. However, NSWRU chief executive Jim L'Estrange said early signs were promising.

"That was a really good attendance for us, especially after coming off a 2007 season where crowds began to fall," he said yesterday. "It was above what we have budgeted for."