Warriors leading race to sign Panthers superstar after bombshell news

The links between the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers have been strong in recent years for understandable reasons.

Andrew Webster became the Wahs head coach ahead of the 2023 season after winning back-to-back Premierships with the Panthers as assistant coach.

In 2025, the Warriors then made arguably their most impressive signing of recent years when Webster managed to entice James Fisher-Harris to Auckland from his former club.

Well now we could be about to see another blockbuster signing arrive at the Kiwi club from Penrith after some major contract news emerged on Tuesday.

Moses Leota is a one-club man to date, with the 30-year-old now in his 11th season with the Panthers, having won four Premierships while becoming one of the NRL’s leading props.

But despite his loyalty and longevity at the club, Penrith have made the surprising decision not to offer Leota a new deal with the no-nonsense forward off contract in 2027.

This means that the Kiwi international is free to speak with new clubs from November 1, and there is likely to be a queue of teams after his signature.

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New Zealand Warriors favourites to sign Moses Leota

It is believed the Panthers are still keen to keep Leota, but they are resigned to the fact that they will lose a number of players at the end of next season.

Penrith are heading into a transition period, with head coach Ivan Cleary to depart and a number of their stars, including Nathan Cleary, also off contract next year.

Leota turns 31 next month and will be 32 by the time he joins another club ahead of the 2028 season, but that is unlikely to deter NRL teams.

Six Again understands the Warriors is the most likely landing spot for Leota. The eight-time New Zealand international was born in Auckland and is attracted by the prospect of a return to his home country.

There is also the obvious link to his former Panthers colleagues at the Wahs – coach Webster and club captain Fisher-Harris still have a close relationship with the prop.

If Leota had the pick of another NRL club it would undoubtedly be the Warriors, it’s now up to the Wahs to make space on their own cap and table an offer to Leota by the time November comes around.