Fresh from the news of Mitch Barnett’s imminent departure, this time the Warriors are on the brink of a big win in the transfer market.
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Sports Code reported that Melbourne winger Will Warbrick is set to sign a multi-year deal that will see him return to New Zealand.
Warbrick, an Olympic silver medalist in Rugby 7s, will be out of contract at the end of this season and will be an immediate starter for the Warriors despite Andrew Webster having plenty of options on the wing with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
RTS is the only one of those three players without a contract beyond this season and told him foxsports.com.au earlier this year that his play on the field would speak when it comes to his future.
“My head is still in the trenches during preseason (I’m) just trying to be present every day, every week because it’s hard, the grind,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.
“Everyone is going fast, so I have to keep up. (Regarding) future things, I will at some point, but I always put my actions on the field and talk from there.”
PANTHERS STAR REACTS TO LOMAX ‘SURPRISE’ RUMOR
The Penrith Panthers have responded to a bizarre transfer rumor involving one of their international stars by releasing NSW Blues winger Zac Lomax.
Since he was dropped from the starting team in favor of Thomas Jenkins, there have been rumors that Samoan international Izack Tago’s future might not be as secure as some might think.
This saw former NRL forward Justin Horo float an idea. SEN Radio that Tago could be open to joining the Parramatta Eels to team up with his brother Jake Tago.
And in return, Penrith would receive Zac Lomax in a player swap.
This arrived before Lomax confirmed his move to rugby union and after the Melbourne Storm failed to secure Lomax’s services after a long and messy judicial saga.
However, Penrith Panthers captain Isaah Yeo disagreed and claimed the rumors were completely false.
“I haven’t heard anything about it, but I love having Izack Tago as part of our team,” Panthers captain Isaah Yeo said. ABC sport.
“I would be very surprised if that were the case.”
Tago made it through the first round of the NSW Cup, where he ran over 200 meters in the club’s victory over the North Sydney Bears.
PHINS STAR HEADS INTO THE FUTURE
Named co-captain of the Dolphins, star running back Isaiya Katoa has addressed his long-term future at the club amid ties to rival teams and even a different code.
While he is under contract until the end of 2028, there has been constant speculation that he could become the game’s first $2 million player if he opts to test the open market in the future, especially with the inclusion of the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs.
However, he intends to remain with the Dolphins.
“There are new clubs coming in, but I’ll never forget what the Dolphins have done for me,” Katoa said. Sports Code.
“They took a chance on me when I was a teenager at Penrith and I don’t think the things I can do on a football pitch will ever make up for the faith the Dolphins have shown in me.
“I’m very grateful. They’ve looked after me and my family, it’s a great club going in the right direction, so I definitely won’t think about going anywhere else.
”The Dolphins playmaker has also been constantly linked to rugby since moving from Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown to Barker College as a young high school student.
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While Rugby Australia scouts have previously tried to see if he would accept a code change, Katoa intends to remain in the 13-man code as he focuses solely on leading his club to a premiership.
“To be honest, my heart is solely in the league right now,” he added.
“I love playing in the NRL. There are so many smaller and bigger goals I wanted to achieve in the game and give the Dolphins some rewards for the investment they made in me.
“I guess I’m happy to stay on that path, where I focus solely on rugby league for the Dolphins.”
WILL THE KNIGHTS OUTER BACK DUO RETURN NEXT SEASON?
Fresh from defeating the Cowboys to open their 2026 NRL campaign, the Newcastle Knights have opened contract negotiations with one of their defensive line pillars in a bid to retain his services.
According The Newcastle HeraldThe Knights have entered into extension talks with winger Greg Marzhew to extend him for at least one more season.
One of six players in the team who are out of contract at the end of 2026, Marzhew has been on the club’s books since 2023 and has scored 36 tries in 63 first grade appearances.
A former Junior Kiwis representative, the 28-year-old starred in the first round, in which he covered 198 linear metres, overcame seven tackles, achieved a line break and crossed the line for a try.
If Marzhew decides to extend, it will further cloud the future of Australian Schoolboys representative Wilson De Courcey, who is also out of contract and yet to secure a spot in the NRL lineup.
In addition to Marzhew, veteran Dane Gagai is another Knights winger who is out of contract in 2026.
The 35-year-old is in the twilight of his career, but, as he told his coach, he wants to play next season and possibly beyond.
“I’ve talked to my manager and I don’t plan to stop, I don’t plan to slow down,” Gagai told the Newcastle Herald.
“As I’ve always said, it’s not just about playing as long as I can, it’s about whether I lose the passion for playing football and competing, or I just can’t physically keep up… Knock on wood, the body feels good.”
“The focus is on 2026, but I will definitely play after that.”
At this early stage, it is unknown if the Knights have any interest in keeping Gagai on their roster beyond this season and while that is the 35-year-old’s preference, it appears he is open to joining a rival team.
Gagai and the Knights’ attack looked good in their first game of the Justin Holbrook era, with the former Titans coach ready to get the best out of a talented Newcastle team with ball in hand.
In the Round 1 win over the Cowboys in Las Vegas, Gagai impressed with 105 metres, six missed tackles, a try and a line break.
KNIGHTS STAR LEAVES TALKS ON HOLD
Newcastle Knights star Dylan Lucas has reportedly suspended contract extension negotiations as he prepares for his Round 2 clash against the Manly Sea Eagles.
One of the club’s best since making his debut in 2023, Lucas has been named as the future captain of the Hunter-based team and has already become one of the NRL’s best full-backs despite having fewer than 50 appearances to his name.
Free to negotiate and speak with rival teams from November 1, The Newcastle Herald reports that Lucas has told club officials that he “wants to wait” before speaking to them about a new contract.
This comes after the Knights wanted to talk to him and his management about an extension even though the deadline is still more than seven months away.
Already representing the Prime Minister’s XIII in 2024, Lucas had a solid start last season, but unfortunately, his year came to a halt after suffering a Lisfranc injury which ended the season after just nine games.
Other players at the club who have the opportunity to test the market in November include Bradman Best, Jermaine McEwen, Dominic Young and superstar defender and captain Kalyn Ponga.
BRONCOS TRAIN AND TRIALIST LINKED WITH MOVEMENT ABROAD
After spending pre-season on a training and trial contract with the Brisbane Broncos, halfback Ben Farr has been linked with a move overseas.
Previously with the New Zealand Warriors, Farr, who can play at fullback or halves, has excelled in reserve level competitions for a number of years but has failed to secure a place in the NRL.
Currently plying his trade with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the QLD Cup, Farr’s management has offered him to a number of Super League clubs, according to I love rugby league.
The rookie is also understood to be interested in a possible move abroad after playing pre-season games for the Broncos alongside the likes of Jesse Arthars and Phillip Coates.
He was named QLD Cup Fullback of the Year in 2025 after scoring 15 tries in 22 matches.