New Zealand Warriors Explore Future of Tanah Boyd
The New Zealand Warriors have initiated discussions with halfback Tanah Boyd regarding his future with the club. As one of the most in-form players in the sport, Boyd is expected to maintain his position in the team for the upcoming weeks unless there is a significant drop in his performance.
This development is particularly notable considering Luke Metcalf, who was previously the standout player at number seven for the Warriors and led the Dally M Medal before suffering a knee injury last year. Despite a rough finish to the 2025 season, Boyd has shown remarkable form in 2026, leading to speculation about his potential as a backup option for Queensland if injuries or poor form occur among their halves.
Boyd’s market value is anticipated to rise with the entry of new teams into the competition. Reports indicate that he has started talks about a multi-year contract extension in Auckland, according to News Corp. While the official start of such an agreement would be next year, it is suggested that Boyd will be out of contract by the end of 2027. Zero Tackle has contacted the Warriors to verify the status of his current deal.
The Warriors are keen to prevent Boyd from being lured away by either the Perth Bears or PNG Chiefs, both of which are actively seeking halfbacks. The Bears have already signed Tyran Wishart and Toby Sexton for their inaugural season, while the PNG Chiefs have secured Jarome Luai for 2028 by exploiting a loophole in contract rules to engage with him before November 1.
Boyd could be an attractive option for these clubs and potentially other struggling teams at the bottom of the ladder, including the St George Illawarra Dragons. Although Boyd never fully realized his potential on the Gold Coast, his capabilities were always evident. Now, as he begins to showcase his abilities in Auckland, a new contract with the Warriors could raise significant questions about the club’s future direction.
Luke Metcalf has played two games at five-eighth this year between injuries. His previous comments on SEN Radio about wanting to be a halfback seemed promising, but the Warriors’ underperforming squad lost both of those games. However, the team has otherwise been nearly flawless, currently sitting in second place on the NRL ladder after nine weeks, only behind the Penrith Panthers.
There are also uncertainties surrounding the futures of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita, both of whom are set to be out of contract at the end of 2026. Harris-Tavita has already been linked with the North Queensland Cowboys, although Todd Payten has made it clear that he wants to retain the halfback in his squad.
