NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS HAS FINALLY OWNED THE RACE BY SIGNING.

Both Jackson Ford and Rocco Berry signed new contracts with the New Zealand Warriors.

Both players just finished successful 2023 seasons in which they solidified their places on a Warriors team that surprised everyone by making the preliminary finals.

Berry re-signed through to the end of 2026 on a two-year extension, and Ford to the end of 2025 on a one-year extension, despite having already signed through to 2024 and having been able to negotiate with opposing clubs since November 1.

Both players are committed to the Warriors for the foreseeable future as Andrew Webster works to strengthen his team.

Webster, who has been especially motivated to develop the team’s youth, has now placed more trust in Ford after permitting Josh Curran to depart for the Canterbury Bulldogs. He claimed that both players’ motivation to keep getting better is what has driven them.

The coach confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “The wonderful thing about Rocco and Jackson is their drive to become better each and every day.”

Their dedication and passion serve as excellent models for what we look for in our players.

“Rocco made amazing progress all season long, growing in self-assurance as he managed to put together several wins and demonstrate the talent we all know he possesses.

“Jackson never let his standards slip; he hit the ground running the moment he arrived here and demanded a starting spot in round one.”

After making his NRL debut in 2022, Berry had only played 15 games in his career. However, he added 16 games in 2023 and started to exhibit some of the promise that had New Zealanders talking before his debut.

Despite only scoring three tries, he started at center during the championship series, averaging 75 metres per game, eight tries assisted, and demonstrating his defensive versatility.

Nevertheless, he will face competition for a spot in 2024 following the signing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who, based on all accounts, will play in the centes with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad holding the top jumper spot.

Despite his versatility, Berry is a former rugby union youth star who can also play at fullback and on the wing.

Ford, on the other hand, joined the Warriors for 24 of their 27 games in the 2023 season, solidifying his place in the starting lineup after leaving the St George Illawarra Dragons, where he had found it difficult to get consistent NRL opportunities.

Ford was a steady player on the fringe for Webster’s team in 2023, and the Dragons paid a price for their underutilization of him.

According to Andrew McFadden, the club’s head of development, pathways, and recruitment, both players prospered in 2023.

According to Andrew McFadden, general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development for the New Zealand Warriors, “Rocco and Jackson both thrived in the new environment created this season.”

“Their games reached a new level this year, like so many other players in the squad, and there’s every reason to believe they’ll improve even more next year and beyond.”