The New Zealand Warriors have announced the extension of front-rower and early 2026 Dally M Medal favourite Jackson Ford, which will keep him there for the foreseeable future.
Establishing himself as one of the best forwards of this year’s NRL campaign before succumbing to injury, Ford will remain at the Warriors until at least the end of the 2029 season.
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“Jackson was in the form of his life in the first half of the season. He was awesome,” coach Andrew Webster said.
“We were really confident in what we saw in him when we signed him.
“We could see he had a massive motor and he worked really hard. He has proved that over and over ever since he came here. We love him.”
Initially arriving at the club in 2023 after a four-year stint with the St George Illawarra Dragons, the 28-year-old has played 78 matches for the club (14 tries) and is coming into the prime of his career.
This saw him on the verge of making his State of Origin debut for the NSW Blues.
“Jackson has transformed his career since starting with us,” the club’s GM of Recruitment, Pathways and Development Andrew McFadden added.
“It’s a testament to his work ethic and attitude that he has now established himself as one of the best front rowers in the NRL. It’s fantastic have him here long-term.”
DRAGONS CONTINUE RETENTION SPREE
The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed the long-term extension of Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga until the end of the 2029 season.
Standing at an impressive 196cm and 114kg, Pasifiki Tonga’s decision to extend with the Dragons comes less than six months after reports emerged that his management has asked for a release from the club.
The two-year extension to the former Under-19s NSW Blues representative comes as the club recently announced the re-signings of Dylan Egan, Ryan Couchman and Toby Couchman.
“I’m really excited to be extending my time here at the Dragons under Dean Young,” Pasifiki Tonga said.
“I’ve been enjoying my footy, and I believe in the direction that Youngy is taking us. I’ve been at the Dragons since I was 17 years old; I’ve grown up here, and I’ve built a lot of relationships.
“I love my teammates, and I’m confident that we are on the way up here.”
An Australian Schoolboy, the young front-rower has been at the club since 2023 after winning the NRL Schoolboy Cup title with Ipswich State High School.
Successfully progressing through the ranks, he has featured in 24 NRL matches to date and will look to add to his resume in the coming seasons.
“I love what Loko brings to this team. For a big man, he’s got great hands, moves well in defence, and has an impressive footy IQ, especially considering he’s only at the beginning of his career,” Dragons coach Dean Young said.
“He has a real presence and influence, and once he develops his leadership skills, I believe he’ll play a key role in driving this club forward.”
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COWBOYS FORWARD JOINS NEW CLUB
John Bateman’s time in the NRL will officially come to a close at season’s end after the North Queensland Cowboys forward decided to ink a two-year contract with the Bradford Bulls.
Having come through the Bulls’ famed pathways system, Bateman will return to where it all began for the 2027 and 2028 seasons with the club also holding an option for a third year in 2029.
“It is pretty surreal, this is something I’ve wanted to do in my career but in the back of my mind I didn’t think I would get the chance,” Bateman said.
“When Bradford got promoted back to Super League, coming back was something I wanted to make happen and having spoken to Jason and Kurt over the last few months, it made the decision a lot easier and now to have got it over the line in the last couple of days is a great feeling.
“It gives me goosebumps thinking about running back out at Bartercard Odsal, it’s been a long time since I did that in a Bradford shirt and I am just excited to be a part of the project that Kurt and Jason are building.
“I am looking to give as much as I can to the club and the city, I am a Bradford lad and this city means more to me than anything.”
Currently plying his trade in Townsville, the 32-year-old has appeared in 88 matches for the Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers and Cowboys during his tenure in the NRL.
Alongside this, he has also made 31 international appearances for England and Great Britain and had the honour to captain his country in 2021.
“I am at a different stage of my career now, I have been the kid in the team so I am looking to give some of my experience and knowledge to the younger players and work together with the more senior blokes,” Bateman continued.
“Emotion aside, first and foremost I am a winner and that’s why I’ve come back.
“I want to win games, I want us to finish in the top 6 and play big games, I want the club to be back in big games, I want the city to pack out Odsal watching big games.
“My aim is to put my best foot forward for the team and play my best rugby.”
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ENGLAND STAR MAKES SURPRISING NRL ADMISSION
Fourteen-time English international and Super League star Jack Welsby has revealed that he came extremely close to making the switch to the NRL competition in the past.
A key member of the St Helens dynasty in the Super League where he won three titles, Welsby found himself linked to multiple NRL clubs in 2023 before extending with the Saints.
Catching the interest of the St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers at the time, the overseas star has now revealed for the first time that he came very close to signing with the Dolphins to play under Kristian Woolf.
“I was very close to going over there at the time,” Welsby said on Meg and Matt: Sin Bin Sessions.
“Obviously Woolfy’s there and I think very highly of him and I think he likes me a lot. There was a chance to go over there.
“Nothing was guaranteed about where I’ll be playing or if I’d play but (he said) come over (and) see, I’m pretty sure you’ll fit in and I’m pretty sure you’d play well.
“That was an option but at the time it didn’t feel right. I’m a bit of a home bird so to fly across the world it didn’t really just fit right.”
Revealing that he nearly made the move down under a couple of years ago, Welsby has admitted that he would be open to a potential NRL move in the future.
At his best, he would find multiple suitors in the NRL and could easily fit into a number of different positions such as at fullback or in the halves.
However, for now, the 25-year-old just wants to get back to his best form which saw him become England’s youngest ever captain in 2023.
“I’d never close the door on it and I’d always listen and take in information about option and choices but I’ve just got to get playing well again,” Welsby added.
“(I want to) put my best foot forward and then if I’m playing well I will get those options.”
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MANLY CONFIRM SIGNING OF BOOM ROOKIE
The Manly Sea Eagles have confirmed the signature of rookie forward Kayliss Fatialofa from the New Zealand Warriors on a three-year contract.
Seen as one of the competition’s most exciting young forward prospects, Fatialofa will arrive at the Northern Beaches in 2027 and will bring speed, power and athleticism.
Although he has yet to play in the NRL, the back-rower has been a mainstay in reserve grade for the Warriors and was named in last year’s NSW Cup Team of the Year.
“Kayliss is an incredibly talented player who has been on our radar for some time,” Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran said.
“He’s been ultra-consistent with his performances over the past few seasons and has established himself as one of the standout backrowers in the NSW Cup.
“He’s an exciting young player who we believe has the athleticism and skill to make a real impact at NRL level.
“We are thrilled that Kayliss has chosen to join the Sea Eagles and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to our Club next season.”
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