The New Zealand Warriors are close to finalising a contract extension to a key member of their spine as the November 1 deadline slowly approaches.

After a remarkable season which saw them emerge as a premiership threat, the Warriors face a tough few months as they look to retain several players who will hit the open market in less than three weeks time.

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While the likes of Ali Leiataua, Te Maire Martin, Kurt Capewell and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will all be able to speak with rivals teams from the start of November, the same can’t be said for a star hooker.

According to the NZ Herald, the Warriors are close to securing Dally M Hooker of the Year Wayde Egan on a new deal which will keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.

However, the retention of Egan is set to force rising hooker Samuel Healey out of the club and he has already been granted permission to negotiation with rival teams before November 1.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 25: Wayde Egan of the Warriors runs the ball during the round 21 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors at Accor Stadium, on July 25, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The publication reports the Warriors tabled him an offer earlier in the season but it was subsequently turned down by him and his management.

Unlikely to remain at the Warriors who also have 22-year-old Makaia Taufa on their books, Healey has recently found himself linked to the St George Illawarra Dragons, per Triple M.

“I’d love to stay,” he said in August.

“It depends if we can get the right thing done for both parties.

“I’m looking forward to finishing off the year strong and then we’ll sort that sort of stuff out then.

“I’d obviously have ambitions to start. I haven’t fully thought too deeply about that at the moment.

“I’m just focusing on footy. I’m sure that will take care of itself at the end of the year.”

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Sam Healey of the NZ Warriors warms uduring a New Zealand Warriors NRL training session at Go Media Stadium on September 15, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

BEARS SIGN SON OF EX-NRL ENFORCER – Ethan Lee Chalk

The Perth Bears have secured the son of a former NRL international forward as they continue building their roster and finalising their squad for their foundation season in 2027.

Fresh off captaining the Penrith Panthers to the Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup title, sources have told foxsports.com.au that youngster Judah Galuvao will take his talents to the Bears after agreeing to a developmental deal with the club.

Able to play anywhere in the forwards, Galuvao’s move to the other side of the country is understood to be in hopes of new opportunities as he looks to earn his first-grade debut in the coming seasons.

He is also the son of former NRL forward Joe Galuvao, who featured in 240 matches for the Warriors, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Eels and Manly Sea Eagles.

The now-retired star also made six international appearances for Samoa (2000) and New Zealand (2003-04).

Judah Galuvao.Source: News Corp Australia



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