Warriors convince Metcalf not to wait for free agency with $2m extension

The New Zealand Warriors have pulled off a speedy re-signing victory, convincing Luke Metcalf he shouldn’t wait until free agency to secure his future and drawing up a $2 million extension for the star halfback.

The halves-short St George Illawarra Dragons had been one NRL suitor preparing a huge signing package for the 26-year-old, but the Warriors have moved quickly to keep him away from the open market entirely.

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The Sporting Base had heard Metcalf had been considering a return to Australia after having a baby and getting married – his wife is also from Australia – but the Warriors sat down with their halfback and sold him on the long-term future of the club. Their extension offer being pushed up to just south of $1 million a season also helped matters, of course.

“Luke’s signing is really important for our club’s future,” said Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. “He’d showed the impact he had on our side and, with the right luck with injury, he’ll improve again and be dominant.

“I’m so happy he and his family have faith in us to go to the next level.”

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Metcalf had little to do with the day to day negotiations behind speaking to Webster and the club’s recruitment team in several calls because he’s on his honeymoon right now, but said he was “lucky” to have a coach like Webster and a CEO like Cam George who did everything in their power to keep him at the club before he entered free agency.

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“They gave me the chance to be a halfback and gave me the keys,” Metcalf said. “They trust me to guide this team and get to the ultimate goal we’re chasing. That was massive for me. That’s something I’ve only ever wanted in my career.”

Before his breakout 2025 season with the Warriors, the 26-year-old had previously played for the Sharks. He originally left Cronulla in 2023 to take up a New Zealand deal until 2026. He had been a hot favourite in the Dally M battle through this latest campaign, and his ACL injury in round 17 has widely been attributed with derailing New Zealand’s title hopes.

Through his NRL career so far, Metcalf has played 41 games (34 for the Warriors) and scored 20 tries.