Wayde Egan Sparks Kiwis Training and Warriors Contract Speculation
Wayde Egan appeared on the training field wearing New Zealand Kiwis colors on Thursday in Christchurch, sparking immediate speculation just days before the team’s Rugby League World Cup fixture against the Cook Islands, 1News reported.
Egan Joins Kiwis Session Without Squad Callup
Footage posted to social media showed the 29-year-old Warriors hooker participating in the Kiwis session. NZ Rugby League officials told RNZ that Egan had not been called into the squad, with a team spokesperson describing him as simply “just having a run.” Kiwis coach Stacey Jones previously confirmed that Egan qualified to represent New Zealand under residency rules after living in Auckland for more than five years, but made himself unavailable for World Cup selection due to prior commitments.
Teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad expressed surprise when asked about Egan’s presence by media. “Oh, I didn’t know everyone knew that he was in camp,” Nicoll-Klokstad told 1News, adding that they had to keep everything under the hush. “It’s cool to have Wayde into camp. He looks really good in black, eh? He’s trying to prepare us as best we can this weekend and we will see if things progress.”
Warriors Extend Egan Contract Through 2028 Season
Coincidentally, the Warriors announced a contract extension for Egan tying him to the club through to the end of the 2028 NRL season. Egan comes off an outstanding campaign where he earned hooker of the year honors at the Dally M awards, playing 25 of the Warriors’ 26 matches and providing a career-best 13 try assists, according to the NZ Herald. Having arrived from the Penrith Panthers in 2020, Egan sits at 146 club appearances and 175 overall games, putting him on track to reach milestones of 150 club matches and 200 career games next year.
Sam Healey, an English-born Australian prospect off-contract after 2027, turned down a Warriors offer earlier this year and faces limited opportunities with Egan locked in long-term, though Healey remains part of the squad for next season under his existing three-year deal signed in 2024, the NZ Herald reported.
Upcoming World Cup Fixture In Christchurch
The Kiwis face the Cook Islands at Te Kaha One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday at 6:05 pm. New Zealand confirmed a matchday lineup featuring Jeremy Marshall-King wearing the No. 9 jersey, with Erin Clark and Kodi Nikorima named as additional options to cover the hooker position. While Egan assists with preparations in camp, official tournament rosters remain unchanged ahead of Sunday’s kickoff.