NRL market watch: Penrith Panthers rocked as James Fisher-Harris quits club to join New Zealand Warriors
The Panthers’ rivalry with the Tigers has taken a turn, with a Wests star emerging as the top candidate to replace James Fisher-Harris following his shock decision to join the Warriors.
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Penrith are preparing to reignite their rivalry with the Wests Tigers as Stefano Utoikamanu emerges as their top candidate to replace James Fisher-Harris following his shock decision to quit Penrith to join the New Zealand Warriors on a four-year deal.
In a major coup for the Warriors, the Panthers have agreed to release Fisher-Harris from the final two years of his contract on compassionate grounds.
It will be a significant blow for Penrith, who will lose both Fisher-Harris and Wests Tigers-bound five-eighth Jarome Luai at season’s end.
However, the Panthers are preparing to shake up the player market with their interest of Tigers prop Utoikamanu.
Former Tigers mentor turned Blues coach Michael Maguire could hold the fate of Utoikamanu in his hands, given the unique clause in the boom front-rower’s contract.
If the Tigers make the top eight, or Utoikamanu plays two Origin matches in this year’s series, it will trigger an automatic contract extension and he will remain at the Tigers for 2025. Otherwise, he will become a marquee free agent which will prompt a bidding war for the 23-year-old’s services.
St George Illawarra, Canterbury and potentially Manly would be the teams keen to sign Utoikamanu, should he become available. Even if a contract clause is triggered that extends his stay at the Tigers for a further 12 months, from November 1 Utoikamanu will be free to talk to rivals about joining them for the 2026 season.
However, Penrith’s could now blow the market wide open with the NRL’s best club on the lookout for an elite middle forward.
It’s understood Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona could also emerge on their radar.
The Tigers and the Panthers already have a bitter past given the way coach Ivan Cleary defected to Penrith, and Luai’s joining the Tigers from next year.
Fisher-Harris, 28, asked for a release earlier this week, and a deal with the Warriors, which will average out to about $1 million a season over the four years, was done within days.
It will free up around $950,000 a season in salary cap space for Penrith, which may allow them some wiggle room to improve any potential offer to off-contract winger Sunia Turuva, who has been heavily courted by St George Illawarra.
“Fish has been exceptional for the Panthers, both on and off the field,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
“The leadership and cultural impact he has displayed since coming into first grade has been outstanding. He’s evolved into one of the game’s elite players, and coaching him has been a pleasure.
“While we would have loved him to stay at the Panthers, we wish him, his partner Natalie, and children Tahira and Deon all the best for their next chapter.”
The Panthers front-row stocks have taken a hit in recent seasons with Spencer Leniu and now Fisher-Harris leaving the club. Moses Leota is contracted until the end of 2027 while rising star Lindsay Smith and Blayney Bears junior Liam Henry are locked in at the club until the end of 2026.
Fisher-Harris will reunite with Andrew Webster, who spent two seasons at the Panthers as an assistant coach before taking the Warriors’ top job last year, while New Zealand Test coach Stacey Jones is also on the Warriors’ staff.
Fisher-Harris replaces Cronulla-bound Addin Fonua-Blake, who cut short at his time at New Zealand for his own personal reasons.
Webster said Fisher-Harris was a marquee signing.
“It’s going to be fantastic having James with us,” Webster said. “He’s one of the game’s elite players, a super tough forward who sets and demands the highest standards.
“I loved working with him at the Panthers and we really look forward to bringing him into our system from next season. He’ll add terrific value to our roster, to the club overall and he’ll also be invaluable as a mentor for our young players coming through.”
Alongside Fonua-Blake, Fisher-Harris is largely considered the best prop in the game. Warriors boss Cameron George described it as one of the biggest signings in the club’s history.
“To be able to add a player of his calibre and standing to our squad is a tremendous boost for 2025 and beyond,” George said. “He’s such a highly-respected player and leader.”
The Kohukohu-born Fisher-Harris has played 183 top-grade games and was named Kiwis skipper last year, leading New Zealand to their Pacific Championship win against Australia.
WHY TIGERS PROP HAS BECOME NRL’S HOTTEST TOPIC
—Pamela Whaley
Penrith’s interest in Stefano Utoikamanu comes as no surprise to Wests Tigers teammate David Klemmer after the young prop became a target replacement for Warriors-bound James Fisher-Harris.
The 23-year-old Tigers gun and his unique contract clauses have suddenly become the hottest topic on the NRL market after premiership star Fisher-Harris was released from the remainder of his deal with the Panthers.
Attention quickly turned to Utoikamanu on Wednesday, who has a get-out clause in his contract if the Tigers fail to make the top eight this season, unless he plays two Origin games for NSW.
“(Other clubs) have to look at him. He’s a good footy player but he’s a good person as well. He’s the kind of person you want around footy clubs,” Klemmer said ahead of Saturday’s well-timed clash with the Panthers in Bathurst.
“There’s no s**t about him. He loves coming in, training hard, looking after himself physically and being a professional. He’s a good role model for guys around here too.
“He’s come into this season with a great mentality, he’s trained really hard in the pre-season and he’s reaping the benefits in this footy. He’s really stepped up this year.
“He’s got a fire in his belly and he’s a big part of this group and a big part of this club moving forward.”
Utoikamanu has long been considered a player of huge potential, but in his fourth season at the Tigers he’s showing it consistently.
He’s amassed 24 tackle breaks and 112 metres per game in five appearances so far this season.
Based on his form, Origin selection is likely this season after playing just one game for the Blues in 2023 and then overlooked for a Blues camp earlier this year.
“He’s definitely at an Origin standard, he fits that arena,” Klemmer said.
“(Missing Blues camp has) given him a bit more fire in the stomach than he already had.
“He’s trained really well and he’s been unreal in the first five rounds. He’s got a big future. He’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing.”
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