The New Zealand Warriors have successfully signed one of the Cronulla Sharks’ promising young talents as they brace for the departure of key players Addin Fonua-Blake and Shaun Johnson next season. Samuel Healey, a highly regarded hooker, has committed to a three-year deal with the Warriors, which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 NRL season. He will be joining the Warriors’ Top 30 roster immediately.
At just 21 years old, Samuel is the son of former Sharks star Mitch Healey. He has played 36 matches for the Newtown Jets, Cronulla’s feeder club, over the last two seasons in the NSW Cup. Healey will continue to contribute to the Jets as they prepare for their upcoming match against the Canberra Raiders, which is crucial for securing a spot in the NSW Cup Grand Final against the North Sydney Bears.
Expressing his excitement, Healey stated, “I can’t wait to get over. From the very first conversation with the club, it was evident they had a clear direction, which definitely appealed to me. I’m eager to hit the ground running, connect with the team, and learn from the coaching staff.” This season, Healey has demonstrated his skills by scoring eight tries, making 60 tackle busts, assisting four tries, and averaging 56 running meters and 23 tackles per match in the NSW Cup.
Andrew McFadden, the Warriors’ general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development, praised Healey, noting, “Sam is a highly promising young dummy half, a player we’ve recognized as having tremendous potential. Coming from a distinguished rugby league family, we are excited about his development within our program.”
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the New Zealand Warriors have outlined their anticipated best 17 players and squad. The lineup includes players such as Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, along with a strong interchange bench featuring Dylan Walker and Erin Clark. The rest of the squad is filled with promising talent like Tom Ale, Jett Cleary, and Samuel Healey, ensuring a robust roster.
As it stands, there are currently no available roster spots, and the development list for 2025 includes Kahu Capper and Selumiela Halasima.
