Broncos and Tigers in race to sign Warriors star

New Zealand Warriors have been in the headlines this week after the Kiwi club were linked with a sensational move for Nathan Cleary.

The Wahs could potentially negotiate with Cleary from November this year, as the Panthers look set to lose their superstar halfback for 2028 and beyond.

Cleary spent part of his childhood in Auckland and was a Warriors fan growing up. This, along with his younger brother Jett being a current Wahs player in NSW Cup, has ramped up speculation.

However, Cleary has dampened those rumours by suggesting he would not want to block his brother’s progress in Auckland. Jett, who is seven years younger than Nathan, is also a halfback.

While talk around Cleary and the Wahs does the rounds, there is a more pressing recruitment issue within the current Warriors squad.

Centre Rocco Berry is off-contract at the end of this year and despite not playing a single game for the Kiwi club this year, he is attracting interest from NRL rivals.

Berry, 25, is on the radar of the Brisbane Broncos and Wests Tigers. Both clubs are searching for a long-term centre and see Berry as an ideal fit.

Injury problems have certainly not harmed Berry’s reputation, who made his debut for the Warriors in 2021 when he was just 19.

Making 52 NRL appearances in total to date, Wahs head coach Andrew Webster has made no secret of the fact that he would like to keep Berry in Auckland.

But the next few weeks will decide his future with competition in the Warriors backline currently fierce, and it will only get stronger next season.

Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey are locked in as the Wahs current starting centres and will be joined by Grant Anderson next season, who has signed from Brisbane.

Anderson’s departure combined with the exit of Gehamat Shibasaki has left the Broncos short at centre, though they have signed veteran Dane Gagai on a one-year deal.

But Michael Maguire wants a long-term fit there and is a huge fan of Berry, as is Tigers coach Benji Marshall who is determined to strengthen his backline for 2027.

Named in the reserves for this week’s game against the Bulldogs, Berry now waits for his chance to earn a new contract in Auckland – should that opportunity not come, then he may find himself in Brisbane or Sydney next season.