Luke Metcalf has been rewarded for some stellar showings with the five-eighth handed a contract extension by New Zealand Warriors.
"We identified Luke a long time ago as a player of tremendous potential," the club’s General Manager Andrew McFadden said upon the announcement of the deal.
"From the early conversations with him right through to now he has continued to impress us with his maturity and just his willingness to buy in to everything we are trying to build here at the One New Zealand Warriors."
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Luke Metcalf contract: New Zealand Warriors playmaker signs extension
Metcalf joined the Warriors in 2023 after struggling to establish himself in first grade while at Cronulla.
The playmaker played just seven matches for the Sharks across a two-year period after first making his NRL debut in 2021.
However, after impressing during his 12 matches last season for the Warriors – which was plagued by hamstring issues – Metcalf has now been handed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2026 campaign.
"I’m really excited to extend," Metcalf said.
"I don’t see myself going anywhere else.
"I’m genuinely really happy here at the Warriors and here in New Zealand. My partner loves it and we have something special building, so it was a no-brainer.
"I always just wanted someone to show me a bit of love and back me as a player," the 25-year-old added.
Metcalf got his first crack in the NRL for the Sharks when he replaced the injured Shaun Johnson late in the season.
The duo have since formed a solid partnership in the halves across the ditch, with Metcalf’s running ability dovetailing perfectly with Johnson’s control and precise kicking game.
"I grew up idolising Shaun Johnson and now he’s my teammate - it’s crazy," Metcalf said.
"Obviously, I have to put the hard work in myself but when Webby [Andrew Webster] had that chat with me and let me know like ‘hey, we want you here long term’, I knew in my heart extending here is what I wanted to do.
"I can’t wait to repay the faith they’ve shown in me."
Metcalf crossed for six tries in 12 games last since after returning from injury to jump ahead of Te Maire Martin in the pecking order.
The return of Chanel Harris-Tavita this season has added even more competition in the halves, yet Metcalf has kept his No.6 jersey.
So far this campaign, he has played two matches for the Warriors where he crossed for a four-pointer against his former side in the season opener, while he laid on an assist during his side’s heartbreaking loss to Melbourne.
"The talent is there for everyone to see, so from a football perspective that’s exciting for us and for the fans," Webster said.
"Beyond that, Luke is exactly the type of person we want here at the club, and we’re excited for him to continue to learn and develop under our staff and through the senior players he has around him."
Metcalf’s re-signing comes hot on the heels of the club also locking down the future of Freddy Lussick, with the hooker also inking a two-year extension.
