NRL rookie Tanner Stowers-Smith is the latest of the One New Zealand Warriors’ young stars to be secured long-term after being signed until the end of the 2028 season.
The three-year contract continues the 21-year-old Christchurch born and raised forward’s meteoric rise through the club’s pathways system.
Just over three weeks ago he became Warrior #292 when he made his NRL debut against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium before adding a second first-grade appearance in the 40-10 win over Cronulla Sutherland on June 7.
Stowers-Smith’s re-signing follows back rowers Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban signing contract extensions last month to the end of 2029 while middle forward Demitric Vaimauga (2028) and centre Ali Leiataua (2027) have also been secured.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Panthers
8th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
“Tanner has such a big part to play in our future,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He has been outstanding coming through our system out of Christchurch and thoroughly deserves this upgrade.”
Out of the Halswell Hornets and St Bede’s College in Christchurch – where he played First XV rugby union – Stowers-Smith is the great grandson of Canterbury’s legendary former Kiwi captain Pat Smith.
Only two years ago he was leading the Warriors in the SG Ball Cup (under-19) competition before going on to finish the 2023 season with 13 appearances alongside NRL players in the club’s reserve grade side in the New South Wales Cup.
“Tanner’s development has been fantastic,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“His debut against the Dolphins was so impressive for such a young forward. He is taking everything in, learning from our leaders like Mitch (Mitchell Barnett) and Fish (James Fisher-Harris) and doing all he can to become a better player.
“It shows how well our development system is working that we have Tanner and this group of players coming through at the same time while knowing there are more behind them.”
As well as his two NRL appearances, Stowers-Smith has played 45 New South Wales Cup games over the last three seasons. In nine games this season he is averaging 115 metres and 23 tackles while he has scored four tries and made 20 tackle breaks.
Profile | Tanner Stowers-Smith
Born: March 3, 2004
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: Halswell Hornets
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 93kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Dolphins, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, May 17, 2025 (Rd 11)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 292
NRL career: 2 appearances (2025)
New South Wales Cup appearances: 45 (2023-2025)
New South Wales Cup points: 24 (6 tries)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) appearances: 1 (2024)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) points: 0
SG Ball Cup (under-19) appearances: 8 (2023)
SG Ball Cup (under-19) points: 8 (2 tries)
