Taine Tuaupiki and Jackson Ford have become the latest players to re-commit to the NZ Warriors.
Fullback Tuaupiki has earned a fourth season with the Warriors after inking a one-year extension through 2026, while Ford signed a two-year extension, keeping him at Penrose until 2027.
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The 25-year-old Taharoa-raised Tuaupiki initially joined the Warriors on a train-and-trial deal in late-2022 before clinching a one-season contract for the 2023 campaign.
After impressing in his rookie NRL campaign his contract was subsequently upgraded for two more seasons to the end of 2025.
“Taine took a chance on becoming an NRL player when he joined us for the 2023 preseason and has made the most of every opportunity he has been given,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
Tuaupiki made his NRL debut in the Warriors’ Round 3 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville last year, the first of five appearances which saw him named the club’s NRL Rookie of the Year.
He added six outings to his tally this year, including an exceptional display in the memorable 22-20 Magic Round win over the premier Penrith Panthers in May.
On a day when he made 198 metres from 23 runs, he provided two line breaks, scored the match-levelling try and then converted under extreme pressure for a famous victory.
“Whether he’s coming into the NRL side or playing in the New South Wales Cup, Taine gives us so much quality,” said Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. “It’s not just the quality in his play but the energy and enthusiasm he provides every day.”
In his six NRL games in 2024, Tuaupiki averaged 152 metres while he had three try assists, two line breaks and 23 tackle breaks.
In both seasons, he has also been a critical contributor to the New South Wales Cup side’s success, which saw the reserve graders fall one game short of the grand final in 2023 and make the finals again this year.
In 26 appearances – 14 in 2023 and 12 in 2024 – he has scored 128 points from 11 tries and 42 goals while averaging 164 metres and producing 20 try assists, 12 line breaks and no fewer than 153 tackle breaks (77 in 2023 and 76 in 2024).
Ford's deal stretches his stay to five seasons, following Ali Leiataua, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all being secured on new terms recently.
Initially signed on a two-year deal from the St George Illawarra Dragons last season, the 26-year-old Ford was then extended to the end of 2025 after his breakout 2023 campaign.
“Coming to the Warriors has been a great career move for Jackson,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He immediately impressed with his work ethic and attitude, establishing himself as a first-choice back rower for us over the last two seasons.”
Ford missed just three of his first 46 games at the club until a knee injury sidelined him for the last five games of the 2024 campaign.
“Jackson has been terrific from the moment he arrived at the club,” said Webster. “He works so hard every minute he’s on the field and competes on everything. The longer and harder a game gets, the better Jacko gets.”
Ford made only 33 NRL appearances across four seasons with the Dragons, the majority of them from the bench, but earned selection as a starting second rower at the start of his first season and filled that role for 35 of his first 36 appearances. Later in the 2024 campaign he was switched to the front row.
Consistently playing the full 80 minutes, he has averaged 103 metres and 36 tackles in his 43 games for the Warriors.