New Zealand Warriors sign Sharks hooker

“I can’t wait to get over.”

The New Zealand Warriors have poached one of the Cronulla Sharks’ best up-and-coming players as they prepare for life without stalwarts Addin Fonua-Blake and Shaun Johnson next season.

A highly touted hooker, Samuel Healey, has signed a three-year contract with the Warriors until the end of the 2027 NRL season and will move directly into the club’s Top 30 roster.

The son of former Sharks great Mitch Healey, Samuel has played 36 matches for the Newtown Jets (Sharks feeder club) over the past two seasons in the NSW Cup and is only 21.

He will continue to add to these matches as he and the Jets prepare to face the Canberra Raiders on Saturday afternoon for a spot in the NSW Cup Grand Final against the North Sydney Bears.

“I can’t wait to get over. Immediately when talking to the club, it was clear they had a really clear direction and that certainly appealed to me,” said Healey.

“I’m excited to hit the ground running, getting together with the boys and learning under the coaching staff.”

This season in the NSW Cup, Healey has scored eight tries, made 60 tackle busts, provided four try assists and averaged 56 running metres and 23 tackles a match.

“Sam is a really promising young dummy half and a player we’ve identified as someone with tremendous upside,” said New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden added.

“He comes to us from a really proud rugby league family and we’re excited about how Sam can develop here within our programme.”