New Zealand Warriors re-sign young gun as 2022 NRL season approaches

With less than a month until the NRL season begins, the New Zealand Warriors have moved to lock up one of their exciting young players.

Josh Curran played for the Indigenous All Stars in their 16-10 loss to the Maori All Stars on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Young gun Josh Curran has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the New Zealand Warriors until the end of 2024 as the days tick down to the NRL season.

Curran represented the Indigenous All Stars for the third time in Saturday night’s All Stars Game and is coming off a breakout season.

A second-rower capable of playing 80 minutes, the 22-year-old looks set to remain a staple of the Warriors’ pack in 2022.

“I’m excited about extending my time with the Vodafone Warriors,” Curran said.

“I believe we have a great future ahead of us and I want to be a leader of the pack as we

search for our first premiership.

“I couldn’t be happier staying and I can’t wait to get home to New Zealand to play in front of

our great fan base and sponsors.”

That return date is still very much up in the air – uncertainty around New Zealand’s border forced the Warriors to cancel their highly anticipated homecoming game last week.

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Josh Curran joined the Warriors in 2019 after making his NRL debut with the Roosters earlier that season. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Having only made six NRL appearances before last year, Curran had become a favourite of new head coach Nathan Brown by the midpoint of the season.

Asked on Wednesday what aspect of Curran’s game had improved the most, Brown said it was his maturity.

“I’d say maturity is probably the biggest thing for Josh,” Brown said.

“His work ethic and the way he competes, I’m sure that’s been there for his whole career. The game is very natural for him.”

Warriors general manager football Craig Hodges said the club was pleased to have retained Curran’s service.

“Josh made enormous progress last season when he really delivered on the potential we

knew he had as a player,” he said.

“The key was that he made some big adjustments that have paid off. He also benefited from

the confidence Nathan showed in him.

“You can see how much he has grown in the last year and what’s really encouraging is that he has so much room to improve further.”

The Warriors will face the Dragons on March 12 for their first match of the 2022 season. Before then, they’ll meet the Storm and Titans in trial matches.

Curran will sit the first match out, having concussed himself in the All Stars game, but Brown confirmed on Wednesday he would be available for the Titans clash.

Originally published as New Zealand Warriors re-sign young gun as 2022 NRL season approaches