Warriors sign Kiwis captain
Three time NRL premiership winner and Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris will join the Warriors from next season.
In a shock move, the Penrith Panthers enforcer has signed a four year deal with the club.
Fisher-Harris, 28, who hails from Northland and was last year named the Golden Boot Award for the best international player in the game, has been released from the final two years of his Penrith contract on compassionate grounds to be closer to his family.
One of the biggest signings in the club history, Fisher-Harris will replace the departing Addin Fonua-Blake.
Given Fonua-Blake’s impact and impending departure to the Sharks from next season, the Warriors have been in desperate need of a middle forward leader for 2025 and beyond.
Fisher-Harris fits the bill perfectly, in both on field performance and leadership.
He previously worked with Warriors coach Andrew Webster when Webster, the now Dally M coach of the year, was an assistant to Ivan Cleary at the Panthers.
“He’s one of the game’s elite players, a super tough forward who sets and demands the highest standards,” Webster said.
“He’ll add terrific value to our roster, to the club overall and he’ll also be invaluable as a mentor for our young players coming through.”
A veteran of 183 NRL games, Fisher-Harris has been the cornerstone of the Penrith pack throughout their three straight premierships.
He was named Kiwis captain last year, ahead of the Pacific Championship campaign that ended with the New Zealanders thrashing Australia 30-0 in the final.
Warriors boss Cameron George rates the signing as one the club’s biggest.
“It’s a huge signing for us, undoubtedly one of the biggest in our club’s history,” George said yesterday.
“To be able to add a player of his calibre and standing to our squad is a tremendous boost for 2025 and beyond. He’s such a highly-respected player and leader.”
Out of respect to the Panthers, who have granted Fisher-Harris the release from his contract to return home, George said the Warriors were refusing to comment further on the signing.
Cleary said he would have loved Fisher-Harris to stay but wished him and his family the best for their return to New Zealand.
The Panthers revealed they were only approached this week by Fisher-Harris for a release and made the touch call to grant it based on his immense contribution to the club.