Curran extends contract to end of 2024

Vodafone Warriors back rower Josh Curran has had his contract extended to stretch his commitment to the club until the end of the 2024 NRL season.

The three-times Indigenous All Stars forward’s new deal follows a breakout 2021 season.

“Josh made enormous progress last season when he really delivered on the potential we knew he had as a player,” said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Craig Hodges.

“The key was that he made some big adjustments that have paid off. He also benefited from the confidence Nathan (Brown) showed in him.

“You can see how much he has grown in the last year and what’s really encouraging is that he has so much room to improve further.”

The 22-year-old Curran underlined his growing stature in the game by earning selection in the Indigenous All Stars for the third straight year for last Saturday night’s 10-16 loss to the Māori in Sydney; in 47 minutes on the field he made 80 metres from nine runs as well as 18 tackles without a miss.

“I’m excited about extending my time with the Vodafone Warriors,” he said.

“I believe we have a great future ahead of us and I want to be a leader of the pack as we search for our first premiership.

“I couldn’t be happier staying and I can’t wait to get home to New Zealand to play in front of our great fan base and sponsors.”

Curran began the 2021 season with just six interchange appearances since making his first-grade debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2019 before joining the Vodafone Warriors.

After starting 2021 with feeder club Redcliffe in the Intrust Super Cup, Curran earned his first NRL start of the season against the Dragons in round six and immediately became a first-choice starting player.

He finished the campaign with 14 appearances and regularly played 80 minutes. He scored four tries, averaged 79 metres and 39 tackles a game and also produced 23 tackles breaks, five line breaks and five try assists.