New Zealand Warriors

Rabbitohs sign Warriors youngster

by
Harvey Emanuel-Wall
September 11, 2026

Rabbitohs flags line the seating area ahead of the NRL Round 5 match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium in Sydney

South Sydney have made just one signing ahead of the 2027 season so far.

That man is of course Payne Haas, with the superstar forward arriving to provide some X-factor to the Rabbitohs pack.

Multiple other players have been linked with Souths, but they are yet to follow through on any of their other rumoured signings.

Until now that is, with Wayne Bennett’s side set to sign talented outside back Leini Fanua on a two-year deal.

Rabbitohs head coach and former Brisbane boss Wayne Bennett.

Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett.

According to Southland Tribune, Fanua will join the Rabbitohs from New Zealand Warriors’ Southern Zone Academy.

The upcoming star has played junior rugby league in Invercargill and caught the eye of many scouts during his spell there.

New Zealand is a huge breeding ground for NRL talent at the moment, and Fanua could be the latest star to make it to first grade.

The South side of the Island in particular is blossoming following the recent growth in popularity of the Wahs across the entire country.

That’s led to the potential of the NRL’s 20th team being based in Christchurch, such is the growth of the game across New Zealand.

But while talks and bids continue to develop, players who are emerging from those territories in the meantime are being picked up by current NRL side.

And Fanua is the latest of those, with the outside back to join the Rabbitohs ahead of the 2027 season and spend the next two years progressing through the club’s pathways system.