Luke Metcalf: Warriors star says he was never going to leave, despite wide NRL interest
Rumours of
Luke Metcalf’s potential departure from the Warriors were greatly exaggerated.
The halfback, who signed a two-year extension at the end of last month, was the subject of some feverish speculation in the time before that. Various Australian media outlets reported that he was planning to “go to market” and “test his value” post November 1.
One newspaper said that he wouldn’t sign anything before the deadline - when he would have been permitted to engage with other clubs - while another postulated that the club could be drawn into a “talent auction”.
To be fair, Metcalf had found himself in an enviable position, as one of the few elite halves coming off contract at the end of next season. Almost every other No 7 – aside from Nathan Cleary – was tied up for 2027 or beyond. That meant that any club looking to upgrade their playmaking options could knock on his door, while his outstanding personal campaign (he led the Dally M voting and
was one of the form players in the competition before his cruel knee injury last June) only increased his worth.
But despite that, he was always likely to stay in Auckland. Negotiations had started early in the season but were then put on hold after his injury. Once they restarted, it was never going to be too difficult to find common ground.
Metcalf is happy at the Warriors and unlike some past Australian imports has truly bought into the culture of the club and the city. He is a popular member of the group and relates well to his teammates, especially the young core. He also has a strong bond with coach
Andrew Webster and co-captain
Mitch Barnett.
Being on the inside, Metcalf believes in the potential of the squad. While the Warriors aren’t yet ready to win a premiership – they are certainly tracking in the right direction. That’s not necessarily the case for some other clubs chasing a halfback, while opting to join the new Perth Bears would be an adventure but the expansion club face a long road to be competitive.
The only caveat is his family situation, given he and his wife Brodie welcomed their first child last April. They don’t have any family here and that might become tricky to manage in the future. At some point in time – whether it is at the end of his career or earlier – he will have to go home. But for the medium term, it is feasible.
For the club,
they saw enough last season to know that Metcalf could become a truly elite half. While he has limited experience as a number 7 and chief playmaker his progress was impressive and his ceiling is high. The only concern is his luckless run with injuries, after an earlier ACL at Manly in 2019, persistent hamstring issues and the broken leg suffered in 2024, though he has come back stronger each time.
The club and Metcalf’s representative were content to settle on a two-year extension, which gives him a further three seasons as a Warrior, given he is already signed for 2026.
Those close to the negotiations have described them as “fairly smooth”. There was “no angst”, as one insider put it, even if financial figures went back and forth. That was normal, as Metcalf has landed on a significant upgrade, which puts him inside the five highest earners at the club.
But Metcalf is grateful that the club backed him as long ago as November 2021, when the deal was first done to bring him to the Warriors. There is a debt there, that he hasn’t forgotten.
The 26-year-old was also aware of the hidden danger of moving on from a place where he has played the best football of his career and the team is built around him to leave for a different coach, different structure, different ideas and different pressures.
Conversely, the Warriors were thrilled with Metcalf’s progress in 2025. He sought the No 7 jersey, wanted to take control of the team and delivered. There were big shoes to fill
with the retirement of Shaun Johnson, but he never looked overawed. It wasn’t perfect at times – as there is so much to learn about being an on-field general - but you can see the trajectory and the Warriors believe he can be the elite playmaker they need to chase the biggest prize.
While the November 1 deadline loomed warily for outsiders, it wasn’t really an issue for both parties. The contract probably would have been signed earlier but for a busy October. Metcalf married his long-time partner Brodie in Queenstown on October 11 before they went on their honeymoon. They returned to Auckland on October 22 and the contract was signed the following day.
Being on the inside, the halfback believes in the potential of the Warriors squad.
www.nzherald.co.nz
Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
