The Penrith Panthers have been hit by another contract boost, with rising star utility back Tua Patea locking in a new two-year extension.
Patea, who goes by Tua but is named Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea, made his NSW Cup debut in Round 26 of the 2025 season when most of the then reserve grade side were called in to first grade by head coach Ivan Cleary as he rested the entirety of his side before the finals.
Patea then went on to play another six games in the reserve grade competition during 2026 with four of those coming in the centres, and two off the bench. He was also an unused replacement multiple times, with Patea close to breaking through for more game time in senior rugby league - something he will almost certainly do over the next two years.
His management confirmed the contract extension through to the end of 2028 this week.
Patea, who has two tries at NSW Cup level, cracked the 100-metre barrier in one of his games this year and held his own in defence.
He spent the rest of the year in the under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup where he excelled, with Panthers powerbrokers rating him as a star of the future.
Tua is the younger brother of forward Luron Patea, who is off-contract with the Panthers at the end of 2027, and, if recent reports are to be believed, will likely move on at the end of next season given a major difference in what he is worth between the club and his camp.
Good judges at the foot of the mountains believe Tua could well be in line for a first-grade debut at the back-end of 2027 if he continues improving. It's understood his contract contains a pathway in to the Top 30, although the Panthers have now either officially announced it, or responded to inquiry.
The young utility played in the number six jersey during Penrith's triumphant Jersey Flegg Cup grand final win this year, and is still working out what his best position will be long-term.
