NZ Warriors secure young forwards Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban through 2029

RNZ News

21-05-2025

Leka Halasima has played every minute of his past three outings for the Warriors.
Photo:
David Neilson/Photosport
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NZ Warriors have secured two key components of their
second-row production line
for the future, with youngsters Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban extending their stays at Mt Smart through the 2029 NRL season.
The deals make them the longest-contracted players on coach Andrew Webster's roster.
Halasima, 19, has
been a revelation during the team's 8-2 start
to the current campaign, debuting in 2024, carving out a bench role to start this season and ultimately earning promotion to the starting line-up.
The powerhouse scored tries in three consecutive games against Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, and has played the full 80 minutes in his past three outings against North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Dolphins.
Laban, 21, also debuted last season and was named Warriors Rookie of the Year, but was sidelined by injury to start 2025. He returned to action against the Broncos last month and
scored his first NRL try against the Dolphins
last Saturday.
"Two local juniors that we're really proud of," Webster said. "Everyone's proud of their development, everyone's had a lot to do with it.
"They've given themselves every opportunity to show what their talent it and when you've got guys working hard like that, you get to see how brilliant they are.
"Rapt for the boys, rapt for the club and I think our fans will be unbelievably excited by that.
Jacob Laban celebrates his first NRL try against the Dolphins.
Photo:
DAVE HUNT
"We just want them to keep being grounded and keep working hard. They're going to be a huge part of the club's success going forward."
The pair join Demitric Vaimauga, 21, who is signed through 2028, while a fourth young forward - Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21 - stepped up to first grade against the Dolphins and is named to return this week against Canberra Raiders.
"He looked like he had been there for a long time," Webster recalled. "He's a guy that's worked really hard.
"I find his fundamentals so reliable and then he adds a punch. In his first game of NRL, when it got hard, his motors stood up too - that's the first thing that often goes.
"He's one for the future and we love the fact he's a Christchurch boy too. A lot of people are critical that we don't develop the game down there, but we've got more than 17 guys in our system that are from the South Island.
"It's great for him to debut for the club."
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