After spending most of his childhood years in Auckland, Riley Price is returning after 10 years in Australia to take up a two-year deal with the One New Zealand Warriors.
The three-game NRL forward is joining the club on a midseason transfer from Queensland Cup club Redcliffe, starting on a development contract to the end of 2026 before moving into the top 30 NRL next year.
Price was three when he moved to Auckland from Australia after his father Steve (Warrior #121) began a legendary career as the club’s captain in 2005.
Now 25, he becomes the fourth son of a former Warrior at the club this season joining Jett Cleary (son of Warrior #73 Ivan Cleary), Haizyn Mellars (son of Warrior #106 Vince Mellars) and Braelan Marsh (son of Warrior #96 PJ Marsh).
“It’s exciting for us having Riley back at the club he knows so well from his time living in Auckland when his father was here,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“Riley has tasted NRL football and gained a lot of experience playing in the Queensland Cup and New South Wales Cup. He has terrific footballing pedigree through his father and will bring a lot to our squad with his professional attitude and work ethic.
“It’s also a thrill seeing the next generation coming through with yet another son of one of our former players joining the club.”
A Mount Albert Grammar School product, Price began his playing days with the Mount Albert Lions before returning home to Australia when he was 15.
Breaking into the Queensland Cup with the Townsville Blackhawks in 2021, he went on to make his NRL debut with North Queensland in 2023 followed by one more appearance before he signed with Penrith in 2024. He played his sole first-grade game for the Panthers last year, then signed for Redcliffe this season.
Price has played 81 games in the Queensland Cup and New South Wales Cup competitions.
In his combined appearances in both competitions he averages close to 100 metres and 25 tackles with an efficiency rate of close to 95 per cent.
Profile | Riley Price
| Born: June 7, 2001 Birthplace: Hurstville, NSW Junior club: Mount Albert Lions (Auckland, NZ) Position: Prop, loose forward Height: 188cm Weight: 96kg NRL debut: North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, April 2, 2023 (Rd 5) NRL career: North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers Appearances: 3 North Queensland Cowboys: 2 (2023) Penrith Panthers: 1 (2025) Queensland Cup Career: Townsville Blackhawks, Redcliffe Dolphins Appearances: 51 Townsville Blackhawks: 40 (2021-2023) Redcliffe: 11 (2026) Points: 40 Townsville Blackhawks: 24 (6 tries) Redcliffe: 16 (4 tries) New South Wales Cup career: Penrith Panthers Appearances: 32 (2024-2025) Points: 16 (4 tries) |
