Gisborne teenager Samuel Fox shakes hands wth NZ Warriors academy manager and 25-test Kiwis international Tony Iro after signing a two-year contract with the club as part of its Under-19 programme. Photo / Caliber Sports Group
Gisborne teenager Samuel Fox shakes hands wth NZ Warriors academy manager and 25-test Kiwis international Tony Iro after signing a two-year contract with the club as part of its Under-19 programme. Photo / Caliber Sports Group
Gisborne teenager Samuel Fox will put his official debut for the New Zealand Warriors in the Harold Matthews Cup Under-17 rugby league competition down to experience.
Samuel started at prop for the Warriors in the Round 9 game against Illawarra Steelers in Wollongong on Saturday.
He won’t remember it fondlyfrom the scoreboard – a 36-6 loss – but he won’t forget it as a milestone as he looks to forge a career in the game.
Samuel is a rugby/league product of Gisborne Boys’ High School – known traditionally as a breeding ground for young rugby talent in New Zealand, but increasingly also as a stepping stone towards professional league.
Samuel Fox looks out over the NZ Warriors' home base of Go Media Stadium – a ground he hopes to play on one day as an NRL professional. Photo / Caliber Sports Group
To advance his chances, Samuel has shifted to Auckland and is doing his schooling at Sacred Heart College after securing a two-year contract with the Warriors.
He will be part of the club’s SG Ball Under-19 competition programme for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
His contract includes match payments, an education allowance and private medical insurance.
His father and Gisborne Boys’ High School First XIII assistant coach Luke Fox said it was “a clear reflection of the professionalism and investment now available within rugby league pathways”.
“His development has been shaped heavily through his time at Gisborne Boys’ High School, particularly within the First XV rugby environment.
“Competing in the Super 8 competition, one of the most prestigious and arguably the toughest secondary school rugby competitions in the country, if not the world, has provided Samuel with exposure to elite opposition, quality coaching and pressure-based match environments.
Former Gisborne Boys' High School First XIII league and First XV rugby player Samuel Fox made his official debut for the NZ Warriors last weekend in their Under-17 team's final game of the Harry Matthews Cup competition for 2026. Photo / Caliber Sports Group
“The Super 8 competition continues to attract attention from both rugby union and NRL recruitment networks, with many scouts closely monitoring emerging talent.
“For players in the Tairāwhiti region, this presents a unique and powerful opportunity as their talents can be seen from afar.”
Former Kiwis international Tony Iro, now the academy manager for the Warriors, agrees.
“There always has been and always will be quality talent coming out of the Tairāwhiti region,” Iro said. “The NZ Warriors will always continue to support the community, with some exciting opportunities around the corner for the region.”
Samuel’s contract is unlikely to be a one-off for Gisborne talent.
Gisborne Boys’ High has three other players involved in the Warriors’ elite development pathways – Rory Gifford, Anakin Ormsby-Cairns and Samuel’s younger brother Noah – and several others have attracted interest from NRL clubs.
Samuel appreciates the part Gisborne Boys’ High has played in his development.
“I would encourage all aspiring young footballers across Tairāwhiti to develop their physicality, skillset and game IQ at GBHS. There are genuine future pathways for players for both codes.”
The NZ Warriors, rebuilding after winning the Harold Matthews Cup in 2024 and 2025, finished 15th in the 17-team competition. They won one match and lost seven.
“It’s been a tough season,” Luke Fox said, noting the number of players from their title wins who had moved on to the U19 and New South Wales Cup levels.
Obviously proud to see his son take the field for the first time, Fox said Samuel had “a solid game”.
“He did a good job.”
Sacred Heart College does not have a rugby league team, but Samuel will be playing club league for Ellerslie Eagles.
