Matt Lodge spotted in surprise code switch just days after mysterious Warriors release

Matt Lodge has been spotted playing suburban rugby union in Brisbane, just days after his release from the New Zealand Warriors.

Matt Lodge tries his hand at rugby union

Matt Lodge has been spotted playing suburban rugby union in Brisbane, just days after his release from the New Zealand Warriors.

The 26-year-old prop sensationally quit the Warriors on Friday, reportedly over the fact he wasn’t willing to move his family to New Zealand.

The mid-season move raised eyebrows because the Warriors — currently based in Redcliffe — aren’t relocating back to Auckland until next season, while Lodge does not currently have another contract announced.

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Footage has now surfaced of Lodge playing rugby union for North’s Brisbane second grade team in a 27-14 loss to Bond on Tuesday night. Lodge played 50 minutes off the bench as a No. 8 having reportedly paid his registration fee to play “on the spot”.

Days after leaving the @NZWarriors Matt Lodge has played Rugby Union for North Brisbane's 2nd Grade side.

Played 50 minutes at number 8 in a 27-14 loss.@[e-mail]/SgFAO6Q8df

— Josh Bristow (@JoshTBristow) May 24, 2022

Had a few msgs about this… it appears uncontracted @NRL prop Matt Lodge is dabbling in #rugby. Told he came off the bench at no.8 for Norths 2nd grade last night vs Bond. TBC if he’s having a serious crack, but I expect to see him back in the NRL soon | @StanSportRugby@wwos

— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) May 24, 2022

Warriors coach Nathan Brown was asked why Lodge opted against playing out the season given they are based in Queensland but said: “Lodgey was more keen the other way, which is fine.

“You just move on, don’t you. You just wish him well and he came and wished all the boys well, he enjoyed playing with the boys.

“He built up some good relationships with a lot of the players so yeah that’s the way it is sometimes in sport. Everyone shakes hands and off you go.”

Lodge has since been replaced by former Origin prop Dunamis Lui, who signed on with the Warriors for the remainder of 2022.

There is speculation Lodge could join the Dolphins in 2023 while The Daily Telegraph reported he recently purchased a house on Sydney’s northern beaches, sparking suggestions he could join Manly.

Originally published as Matt Lodge spotted in surprise code switch just days after mysterious Warriors release