LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
A well-loved player of the New Zealand Warriors, forward Bunty Afoa, is on the verge of seeking a new club as he has been informed that he will not be receiving a new contract for the upcoming 2026 NRL season.
Afoa debuted with the Warriors in 2016 and quickly established himself as a crucial part of the team's forward pack. He consistently played over 20 matches each year from 2018 to 2023, earning a strong fan following.
However, the 28-year-old has seen limited playtime in the last two seasons, with just 16 appearances due to being sidelined by younger talents such as Demetric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Leka Halasima, and Tanner Stowers-Smith.
This departure has been anticipated for over a year, and it's now expected that Afoa will leave the Warriors at season's end, as the club has decided against renewing his contract, according to a report from The New Zealand Herald.
Moreover, the report indicates that Afoa will not pursue a move overseas to the Super League, as he has not played enough first-grade matches in the past year to qualify for such a transition.
Although there was initial interest from at least two teams in New South Wales and Queensland at the beginning of the season, it remains unclear if these clubs are still pursuing him.