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Luke Metcalf is set to leave the New Zealand Warriors, after requesting permission to look to play elsewhere next season.
The New Zealand-based side said they have agreed to a request from the halfback’s management to engage with other NRL clubs over his playing future from 2027 and beyond.
“Wewill not make any further comment on this matter until a further update is provided by Luke and or his management,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
The 27-year-old Australian signed a contract extension with the team until the end of 2028 last year and led the Dally M Medal race before a season-ending ACL injury during the Warriors’ last campaign.
However, Metcalf has struggled to make the starting team because of Tanah Boyd’s impressive stint at halfback, leading the Warriors to second on the ladder.
Boyd has now secured himself a contract extension, which signalled he would be wearing the No 7 shirt in the long term.
Luke Metcalf (main photo) has been granted permission to speak with other clubs after Tanah Boyd's (inset) impressive start to the NRL season. Photo / Photosport
Reports from Australia last week suggested Metcalf hoped for more clarity on his role with the club and appears to have now figured out what that is.
Metcalf went unused as a substitute in the Warriors’ 36-14 win over the Parramatta Eels, where Boyd successfully linked up with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita for the team’s seventh win of the season.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster hinted he would be sticking with the combination of Boyd and Harris-Tavita after the victory.
“I’m not making any changes to them,” Webster said.
“They deserve to stay there and they’ve done a good job.”
The Warriors were on a bye for the most recent round of NRL action, but come up against the struggling Brisbane Broncos side, the reigning champions, at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday evening.
They then play the St George Illawarra Dragons and the ladder-topping Penrith Panthers, before eventually returning to Auckland on June 13 for their return fixture against the Sharks.
