LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand Warriors are eyeing an off-contract winger from the South Sydney Rabbitohs as they seek an outside back for the 2026 NRL season.
Following the departures of Edwards Kosi and Moala Graham-Taufa to the Rabbitohs, sources have revealed to Zero Tackle that the Warriors are keen on acquiring Auckland-born Haizyn Mellars.
This interest comes as Zero Tackle learned from a club source that the Rabbitohs have informed the talented young player they will not be re-signing him for the 2026 season.
Mellars, standing at 193cm, is recognized as a significant aerial threat and one of the brighter prospects in the Rabbitohs' system. Despite being part of the club's Top 30 roster, he has struggled to break into the first-grade team.
Injuries have affected him this season, but the 21-year-old has showcased his talent when fit, netting seven tries in nine NSW Cup games along with two try assists, 40 tackle busts, seven line-breaks, and averaging 120 running meters per match.
The Warriors are not only focused on Mellars but have also shown an interest in Gold Coast's speedy wingman Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who has recently been put on the market for rival teams. However, it remains unclear if the Titans will grant an early release to the two-time Prime Minister's XIII representative, who has demonstrated an impressive try-scoring ability but has recently played in reserve-grade.