‘Coming home’: Fisher-Harris to leave Panthers early and join the Warriors

Three-time NRL champion James Fisher-Harris, who is arguably the best prop in the competition, has been granted an early release from the Penrith Panthers to join the New Zealand Warriors on compassionate grounds.

Fisher-Harris, 28, has been allowed to waive the last two years of his Panthers deal to take a four-year offer from the Warriors.

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The champion prop will play out the season with Penrith before making the move across the Tasman. He asked for the move to be closer to family in New Zealand—Fisher-Harris was born in Kohukohu in the Far North. He has played 15 Kiwi tests since making his international debut in 2016 and currently captains the side.

He also captains the Māori All Stars when he plays for that representative squad.

While departing Warriors prop Adin Fonua-Blake and Broncos stalwart Payne Haas would be in contention, many regard Fisher-Harris as the best frontrower in the game. He has won three straight premierships as a starting prop for the Panthers and has already played 183 games since debuting as a Penrith junior in 2016. Last year he also won the Golden Boot.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to sign James,” Warriors boss Cameron George said after the news broke.

Andrew Webster, who currently leads the Warriors and previously worked with Fisher-Harris while he was the assistant coach in Penrith between 2021 and 2022, declared the 28-year-old forward is “one of the game’s elite players” who will instantly set and demand the very highest standards from his new pack.

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“He’ll add terrific value to our roster, to the club overall and he’ll also be invaluable as a mentor for our young players coming through.”