Highly-regarded rugby union prospect Harry Inch’s two-year contract with the One New Zealand Warriors has been officially confirmed today.
The Nelson-raised 19-year-old playmaker is switching codes after an impressive junior career which saw him ranked one of the country’s most outstanding new talents.
Inch was a standout in the Nelson College First XV’s impressive campaign in 2024 which saw it reach the final of the national secondary schools’ quadrangular tournament before losing to Hamilton Boys’ High School.
He made the New Zealand Schools side and was later brought into the Tasman Mako and Crusaders development programmes.
“We’ve been interested in Harry for some time and we’re delighted to sign him,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He’s a terrific player and a great young person with all the attributes needed to go a long way in rugby league. As well as his set of skills, he has a real toughness about him.”
Easily recognisable by his curly-haired mullet, Inch had some game time in a Super Rugby trial match for the Crusaders against the Blues earlier this year when he lined up outside Wallabies first five-eighth James O’Connor.
“He’s so tough. He’s just not afraid of anything. He’s a farmer, [with] farmer strength. He beats all the boys in the wrestles in the gym and he’s just a kid out of school,” Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall said at the time.
Inch will join the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) squad when pre-season training starts next month.
Among the other new faces in the squad will be hooker Braelan Marsh – son of former Warrior PJ Marsh – who was signed last month.
