The Luke Metcalf saga at the New Zealand Warriors has taken a significant turn.
Once earmarked as the long-term successor to Shaun Johnson, the 27-year-old now finds himself in an awkward position.
Currently, the halfback is contracted until the end of 2028, but permitted by the club to explore his options on the open market.
The catalyst is no mystery. Metcalf suffered a season-ending ACL injury midway through 2025 while playing some of the best football in his career, leading the Dally M Medal race before going down.
In his absence last season, the Warriors struggled during the back end of the season.
The club would go from the top four to sixth place and lose the elimination final at home against the Penrith Panthers.
This season, Tanah Boyd has taken charge with Metcalf initially on the sidelines to start the year, finding his groove and hasn't looked back as the Warriors are currently 2nd on the ladder.
Boyd has officially extended with the Warriors until the end of the 2029 season, turning down Wayne Bennett's offer from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
With youngsters Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson also coming through the system, the path to halfback for Metcalf, with his injury history, is closing.
Metcalf has ambitions to play halfback, not five-eighth, as he played two games in the six jersey this season with Boyd wearing no.7.
That desire, and both parties' willingness to facilitate a move as early as 2027, puts a host of clubs on alert.
Here are the five clubs that make the most sense.
2. PNG Chiefs
One of the more intriguing teams could be the PNG Chiefs.
So far, they have signed Jarome Luai and Alex Johnston, and if the Chiefs were to cement their halves before they play in 2028, it would be very impressive given the circumstances.
It would also allow the club to develop local PNG players and sign young players from other clubs that might see the appeal of being mentored by Luai and Metcalf, while gaining tremendous skill and intangibles that not many clubs would be able to offer.
Michael Chammas said on NRL 360 Monday night that they want to be “competitive,” and signing Metcalf on top of Luai and AJ would be a tremendous start in chasing a successful inaugural season.
Metcalf's kicking game and creative flair, along with resilience returning from major injuries, and Luai's leadership and winning pedigree, would be a strong halves combination for the expansion side.
PNG talent overseas playing in the UK is promising, and those players, particularly in the spine, could be more worthwhile for the 19th NRL team.
They haven't been battle-tested under the new rules in the NRL, and trends have shown that backline and spine players who have spent time in the UK system first tend to struggle to adapt to the NRL style.
Given Metcalf's experience in the NRL, it could be a good deal, maybe a 2-year deal that allows the Warriors half to benefit personally (tax-free money), and for the Chiefs to benefit from bringing another talented player to the side without compromising PNG native talent in the long-term that the club want to sign.
