New Zealand Warriors centre Rocco Berry remains without a contract for 2027, and Cam George, the club's CEO, confirmed they are in talks with the 25-year-old to stay in New Zealand.
This comes at an interesting time, considering the 2027 contract cycle starts on November 1, only weeks away, and he was in negotiations with the Melbourne Storm earlier this season.
Reports suggested Berry's deal with the Storm fell through because of his injury history and failing medical tests during the process.
Berry has dealt with multiple major shoulder injuries, hamstring strain and a brachial plexus nerve injury throughout his NRL career.
George spoke to Scotty & Izzy from Sport Nation about working with Berry on a new contract.
“He's off contract next year, but he's certainly in the mix to maybe staying here," he said on the podcast.
"I'm hoping that we can get something sorted there because I feel like if he gets a good run, injury-free, he is a day-in, day-out NRL player and elite. He should be playing with the Kiwis if he's fit. He's that good.
“We're talking to him; we're talking about what next year looks like, but nothing's been confirmed.”
Since his debut against the Storm in 2021, he has played 52 games and didn't feature in any games in the 2026 season.
The Warriors are optimistic that Berry's injury run is just a tough period he's had to experience, and they believe he still has plenty to offer in the NRL.
MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 27: Rocco Berry of the Warriors is tackled by Sebastian Kris of the Raiders during the round 24 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at BB Print Stadium, on August 27, 2021, in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“Rocco's had just an awful run," said George.
“From our perspective, he's an unbelievable person for our footy club. He's so good around the place despite his challenges.”
Assuming Berry signs a deal with the Warriors for 2027, they hope he can have a pre-season without disruptions, and George emphasised how important Berry is to their culture.
“He has sort of rebuilt the body after being injured at the back end of the year, and I'm hoping that, you know, he's heading into this pre-season with no niggle, no injury, which will give him a great start for next year," George explained.
“I think that as long as they're a great influence around the club and they're a great leader, you can't recruit that overnight.
“There's only (a few) players that come through our system and really connect with our culture that can provide that long-term leadership, and Rocco does that.
"Rocco shows the young guys what adversity looks like and how you push through it, and he brings something to the table, other people can't.
“That's going to add value to when other players are getting injured, and he's being seen to be pushing through the pain barrier to get back on the field, and when things go against him, he keeps his head up. He is a positive influence around the club.
“Those people we want to keep as much as we can, along with all of our other great leaders, and we celebrate them like they are great people, great leaders, and they'll leave something in the jumper from behind.
“One thing that the game, the club, really, really focuses on is celebrating those really good qualities in the person before the footballer.”
The Warriors currently have 27 players signed for the 2027 season, leaving three spots remaining, and Berry remains their only off-contract player.
