Taine Tuaupiki will remain with the One New Zealand Warriors for six seasons after signing a contract extension to the end of the 2028 NRL season.
The re-signing follows the 26-year-old Taharoa-raised fullback re-committing in late 2024 to the end of the 2026 campaign.
After originally joining the club on a train and trial arrangement in late 2022, Tuaupiki has gone on to make 25 NRL appearances since his 2023 debut while he has also played a pivotal role in 36 outings for the club’s New South Wales Cup side.
“Taine is such a valuable member of our squad and has really earned the right to extend his time with the club,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“It’s just reward for the hard work he has put in ever since he first turned up for preseason back in late 2022.”
Tuaupiki had his busiest NRL campaign last year when he made 14 appearances including spending time on the wing early in the season.
“Taine is often called on in difficult times at NRL level and consistently responds with quality efforts,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“Last season was the perfect example when we had injuries at the start of the season and we asked Taine to play on the wing, where he had never played before. He didn’t baulk and did a fantastic job.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Roosters
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
“He’s a terrific source of energy around the squad and we’re thrilled to know he’ll be with us for at least another three seasons. He has so much to offer.”
As well as being used 14 times at NRL level last year, Tuaupiki made 10 appearances for the Warriors’ reserve grade side producing outstanding displays to help the club to back-to-back titles.
He made 158 metres in the New South Wales Cup grand final win over St George Illawarra as the Warriors won the crown for the first time and followed it up a week later by scoring two tries and racking up 268 metres including three line breaks in the State Championship win over the Burleigh Bears.
Profile | Taine Tuaupiki
Born: August 31, 1999
Birthplace: Sydney, NSW
Junior clubs: Ngaruawahia Panthers (Waikato), Runaway Bay Seagulls (Queensland)
Position: Fullback
Height: 178cm
Weight: 83kg
Warriors No: 279
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, March 18, 2023 (Rd 3)
NRL career: One New Zealand Warriors
Appearances: 25 (2023-2025)
Points: 20 (3 tries, 4 goals)
New South Wales Cup career: One New Zealand Warriors
Appearances: 36 (2023-2025)
Points: 192 (19 tries, 58 goals)
Queensland Cup: Burleigh Bears
Appearances: 23 (2021-2022)
Points: 56 (14 tries)
