NRL: Warriors remain hopeful of retaining star fullback as details revealed of contract options

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at Warriors training. Photo / Photosport

The Warriors are still hopeful of retaining Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad but will take a wait-and-see approach, in a scenario that could have significant long-term ramifications for the Auckland-based NRL club.

With the fullback’s contract up at the end of this season, the Warriors have been in discussions for some time with the 29-year-old around an extension. The Warriors have tabled a two-year offer – until the end of the 2027 campaign – but have yet to agree terms. That’s because Nicholl-Klokstad is reportedly considering a move to Super League, according to the Daily Telegraph last weekend.

The Catalan Dragons are the front-runners, presenting a long-term deal to Nicoll-Klokstad’s management, but there is believed to be at least one other club in the mix. It’s understood the Super League offers are for a minimum of three years, with options built in around that.

On the surface, it would be a surprise to see Nicoll-Klokstad leave Auckland. He has worked hard to establish himself in the NRL, first taking the long road via Canberra then reviving his career at the Warriors after injury problems and the emergence of Xavier Savage saw him fall down the pecking order at the Raiders. He is regarded as one of the most consistent fullbacks in the NRL and his 2023 season was a career high, along with the 2019 campaign in Canberra.

The Auckland-born player is also extremely popular here, with a strong connection to the fanbase, while most of his family reside in this country, including his three young children. It would also be difficult to maintain his Kiwis aspirations, given the rarity of players being selected from outside the NRL.

But the opportunity to try something different – as well as experience the European lifestyle – will be a drawcard. Along with a change of pace. Nicoll-Klokstad’s relentless style has taken a huge toll on his body over the years. He has averaged almost 200 running metres and 20 carries a game since he came back to the Warriors, numbers which even exceed his massive Raiders output.

It’s not uncommon to see him take two and occasionally three carries in a set and at times last year, he looked almost physically broken at the end of matches, such was the effort put in. Super League is no stroll – as the European competition has a lot of games – but it is physically less intense. Nicoll-Klokstad is in his ninth NRL season and has completed 10 gruelling pre-season campaigns.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is reportedly considering offers abroad. Photo / Photosport

And financially, Nicoll-Klokstad is likely to be well rewarded, moving while still near his peak. Average wages across the two competitions don’t compare, as the NRL salary cap ($12.5 million) dwarfs the Super League salary cap ($4.8m). But the Super League has provision for three marquee players per club, with a large proportion of those payments falling outside the cap, and Nicoll-Klokstad would be in that category.

The Warriors don’t want to lose Nicoll-Klokstad, seen as a key part of their spine for the next few seasons. If he does decide to leave, that will require considerable manoeuvring by the Auckland club. There is faith in the ability and potential of Taine Tuaupiki – particularly from coach Andrew Webster – and he has shown his versatility and X-factor this season with his performances as a makeshift winger. But he is still relatively unproven, with only 15 NRL games (nine at the back).

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could be considered – given his obvious track record there – though he turns 32 in June and has been focused on other positions since he returned to the Warriors ahead of last season, in terms of his strength and conditioning priorities and body shape. A switch back wouldn’t be out of the question, though it would be a stretch to imagine him in that position beyond the 2026 season.

If the Warriors did go to the market, fullback isn’t an easy position to source; most clubs have their best options locked in and there aren’t many outside that, though there are some promising young custodians across the NRL.

Online rumours persist about the Warriors being linked with Kalyn Ponga and supposedly lining up a big play for the Newcastle star. But he is contracted to the Knights until 2027 and believed to be the highest-paid player in the sport ($1.5m). It’s unlikely the Knights would grant an early release and even if the 27-year-old wanted a change of scenery in the future, there will be no shortage of suitors across the NRL. At this stage, the Warriors have had no discussions, formal or informal, with Ponga or his management group.

Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns. He has also reported on the Warriors and NRL for more than a decade.