Promising second rower Kayliss Fatialofa has signed a two-year deal to further bolster the growing stable of young homegrown players in the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL squad.
The 20-year-old Manurewa Marlins and Otara Scorpions junior links up with fellow pathways graduates Demitric Vaimauga (Warrior #280), Ali Leiataua (#282), Jacob Laban (#286), Leka Halasima (#289), Tanner Stowers-Smith (#292) and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (#294) who have made their NRL debuts since 2023.
“Kayliss is part of the crop of impressive young players we’ve seen emerging since we’ve had our full pathways structure in place,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He made his New South Wales Cup debut last year and has been outstanding throughout this season, playing every game and making a huge contribution to the team winning the minor premiership.”
Like Vaimauga and Ieremia-Toeava, Fatialofa has come out of De La Salle College; he was the winner of the MVP award when De La Salle took out the grand final at the NZRL national secondary schools’ tournament in 2022.
The following year he started his journey through the Warriors’ system with seven games for the SG Ball Cup (under-19) side before a landmark season in 2024.
Showing his durability Fatialofa made another seven SG Ball appearances and 12 for the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side as well as stepping up to the New South Wales Cup with eight games for the club’s reserve grade side.
This year he has played the full 80 minutes in 19 of his 22 NSW Cup appearances, scoring 12 tries to rank as the equal top try-scoring forward in the competition.
Averaging 89 metres and 27 tackles a game, he has 12 line breaks, 12 off loads and 62 tackle breaks.
Profile | Kayliss Fatialofa
Born: January 25, 2005
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior clubs: Manurewa Marlins, Otara Scorpions
Position: Second row
Height: 182cm
Weight: 98kg
NRL debut: Yet to make debut
New South Wales Cup appearances: 30 (2024-2025)
New South Wales Cup points: 56 (14 tries)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) appearances: 12 (2024)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) points: 8 (2 tries)
SG Ball Cup (under-19) appearances: 14 (2023-2024)
SG Ball Cup (under-19) points: 16 (4 tries)
