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'Really significant moment': Warriors lock down young guns until end of 2029 season - Nine
<div data-ui-testid="body-content-all"><p>Two of the most talented young forwards in the competition have extended with the <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/new-zealand-warriors">Warriors</a> on deals that see them become the longest-contracted players at the club.</p><p>Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban have both re-committed until the end of 2029 in what is a major boost for the Auckland-based outfit.</p><p>Laban was originally set to come off-contract at the end of next season, while boom rookie Halasima was already locked in until 2027.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/s...-mitchell-moses-comments-20250519-p5m0wp.html"><strong>'My teammates know': Truth behind lingering Lomax debate</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...chlan-galvin-immediately-20250521-p5m0yo.html"><strong>Tigers poised to cut Galvin loose immediately</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/s...tephen-crichton-comments-20250520-p5m0w7.html"><strong>Blues throw support behind QLD Morons's No.1 target</strong></a></p><p>However, with the looming introduction of new teams in Perth and Papua New Guinea, the club opted to move quickly to secure both their futures.</p><figure><picture><source media="(min-width: 1124px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><img src="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x" width="100%"></picture><figcaption><p>Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima. <cite>Getty</cite></p></figcaption></figure><p>"Signing Leka and Jacob on long-term deals is a really significant moment for us," head of recruitment Andrew McFadden said in a statement.</p><p>"It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game.</p><p>"Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways."</p><p><em><strong>Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and</strong></em> <a href="https://stream.9now.com.au/KDmNCTLBeRb" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em><strong>9Now</strong></em></a><em><strong>.</strong></em></p><p>The 19-year-old Halasima played a handful of games last year, but first turned heads when he scored a brilliant runaway try in the narrow round four win over the Wests Tigers and has since established himself in the starting second-row role.</p><p>Laban, who turned 21 last month, has played just four games this year but remains a major part of the Warriors' long-term plans.</p><p>Head coach <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/andrew-webster-2589">Andrew Webster</a> was thrilled to announce their contract extensions.</p><figure><picture><source media="(min-width: 1124px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><img alt="Warriors coach Andrew Webster." src="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x" width="100%"></picture><figcaption><p>Warriors coach Andrew Webster. <cite>NRL Images</cite></p></figcaption></figure><p>"It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long," he said.</p><p>"We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.</p><p>"Along with Demitric [Vaimauga], Ali [Leiataua] and Tanner [Stowers-Smith], Leka and Jacob show what our future looks like. They've got such a big part to play in it."</p><p>The side are currently in second position on the ladder behind the Canterbury Bulldogs.</p></div>
<div data-ui-testid="body-content-all"><p>Two of the most talented young forwards in the competition have extended with the <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/new-zealand-warriors">Warriors</a> on deals that see them become the longest-contracted players at the club.</p><p>Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban have both re-committed until the end of 2029 in what is a major boost for the Auckland-based outfit.</p><p>Laban was originally set to come off-contract at the end of next season, while boom rookie Halasima was already locked in until 2027.</p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/s...-mitchell-moses-comments-20250519-p5m0wp.html"><strong>'My teammates know': Truth behind lingering Lomax debate</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/n...chlan-galvin-immediately-20250521-p5m0yo.html"><strong>Tigers poised to cut Galvin loose immediately</strong></a></p><p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/s...tephen-crichton-comments-20250520-p5m0w7.html"><strong>Blues throw support behind QLD Morons's No.1 target</strong></a></p><p>However, with the looming introduction of new teams in Perth and Papua New Guinea, the club opted to move quickly to secure both their futures.</p><figure><picture><source media="(min-width: 1124px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x"><img src="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/adf85e51af93a27f5f1c5218ae20ed854afa5129 2x" width="100%"></picture><figcaption><p>Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima. <cite>Getty</cite></p></figcaption></figure><p>"Signing Leka and Jacob on long-term deals is a really significant moment for us," head of recruitment Andrew McFadden said in a statement.</p><p>"It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game.</p><p>"Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways."</p><p><em><strong>Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and</strong></em> <a href="https://stream.9now.com.au/KDmNCTLBeRb" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank"><em><strong>9Now</strong></em></a><em><strong>.</strong></em></p><p>The 19-year-old Halasima played a handful of games last year, but first turned heads when he scored a brilliant runaway try in the narrow round four win over the Wests Tigers and has since established himself in the starting second-row role.</p><p>Laban, who turned 21 last month, has played just four games this year but remains a major part of the Warriors' long-term plans.</p><p>Head coach <a href="https://www.nine.com.au/person/andrew-webster-2589">Andrew Webster</a> was thrilled to announce their contract extensions.</p><figure><picture><source media="(min-width: 1124px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x"><img alt="Warriors coach Andrew Webster." src="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958" srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_...auto/19e72232240315e51b97502f2ddaa2fe6bf2d958 2x" width="100%"></picture><figcaption><p>Warriors coach Andrew Webster. <cite>NRL Images</cite></p></figcaption></figure><p>"It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long," he said.</p><p>"We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.</p><p>"Along with Demitric [Vaimauga], Ali [Leiataua] and Tanner [Stowers-Smith], Leka and Jacob show what our future looks like. They've got such a big part to play in it."</p><p>The side are currently in second position on the ladder behind the Canterbury Bulldogs.</p></div>