Playmaker Luke Metcalf has earned a two-year contract extension keeping him at the One New Zealand Warriors until the end of the 2026 NRL season.
Confirmation of the 25-year-old’s new deal comes after his 21st NRL appearance in Saturday night’s dramatic round two clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
“We identified Luke a long time ago as a player of tremendous potential,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“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.”
Head coach Andrew Webster said re-signing Metcalf meets the qualities the club seeks in its players.
“The talent is there for everyone to see so from a football perspective. That’s exciting for us and for the fans,” he 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.”
After making just seven appearances for the Sharks across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Metcalf joined the One New Zealand Warriors for the 2023 campaign when he scored six tries in 12 games; he has started each of the club’s first two matches this season.
Match Moments: Metcalf carves up defence
“I’m really excited to extend. I don’t see myself going anywhere else,” he said.
“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.
I can’t wait to re-pay the faith they’ve shown in me
Luke Metcalf One New Zealand Warriors half
“Obviously I have to put the hard work in myself but when Webby 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 re-pay the faith they’ve shown in me.
“I grew up idolising Shaun Johnson and now he’s my teammate. It’s crazy. Then you add to that guys like Addin, Wayde, Roger… we’re building something pretty special here.”
Coffs Harbour-born Metcalf, played Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup and NYC football for the Sharks from 2015-2017, had a stint with Manly Warringah from 2018-2020 and then returned to the Sharks where he made his first-grade debut in 2021.
He lit up the New South Wales Cup in 2021 and 2022, scoring 21 tries in 22 matches.
LUKE METCALF |
|---|
| Born: March 1, 1999 Birthplace: Coffs Harbour, NSW Junior club: Orara Valley Tomahawks Position: Standoff/halfback Height: 183cm Weight: 86kg Previous NRL clubs: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2021-2022) First grade debut: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v Manly Warringah, Suncorp Stadium, August 2, 2021 (Rd 20) One New Zealand Warriors debut: v Brisbane, McLean Park, May 27, 2023 (Rd 13) One New Zealand Warriors No: 281 NRL appearances: 21 (2021-2024) Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 7 (2021-2022) One New Zealand Warriors: 14 (2024) NRL points: 52 (10 tries, 6 goals) |
