Sharks hooker Healey signed until end of 2027

Highly-promising Cronulla Sutherland hooker Sam Healey has been signed by the One New Zealand Warriors on a three-year contract to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

The 21-year-old has come through the grades with the Sharks, establishing himself in the New South Wales Cup with 36 games for feeder club Newtown since last season.

“Sam is a really promising young dummy half and a player we’ve identified as someone with tremendous upside,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“He comes to us from a really proud rugby league family and we’re excited about how Sam can develop here within our programme.”

Father Mitch Healey is a Sharks great, ranked fifth for most games for club with 222 – mainly in the halves – from 1989-2000. Sam was born in Pontefract while his father was finishing his playing career with the Castleford Tigers in the Super League from 2001-2003.

Sam is a really promising young dummy half and a player we’ve identified as someone with tremendous upside

Andrew McFadden One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development

Healey junior lines up for the Jets for the 25th time this season when they face Canberra tomorrow for a place in the NSW Cup grand final against the North Sydney Bears.

“I can’t wait to get over. Immediately when talking to the club it was clear they had a really clear direction and that certainly appealed to me,” said Healey.

“I’m excited to hit the ground running, getting together with the boys and learning under the coaching staff.”

In his 24 NSW Cup appearances this year Healey has scored eight tries and averaged 56 metres and 23 tackles a game with 60 tackle breaks, four try assists, four line break assists and 21 off loads.

He started his Sharks career in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) competition in 2018 before progressing through SG Ball Cup (under-19) and Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) en route to reserve grade.