'Starting in most clubs': Webster glad Warriors extend Stowers-Smith to 2030
New Zealand Warriors front-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith has extended his contract with the NRL club until 2030.
The 22-year-old made his first-grade debut against the Dolphins in round 11 of the 2025 season then a month afterwards locked himself in with the team for three years.
He’s now added another two years on top of that and Warriors coach Andrew Webster said he’s an example of how the club has developed players from within.
“We get great Australians that come in to top [the team] up, and then we bring home awesome Kiwis, like James Fisher-Harris,” he said.
“There’s been some changes in it, but there’s also been a lot of continuity along the way. Tanner Stowers-Smith signing for a long period of time, that’s helped that as well.
“That’s another player that I can remember his first day when he was so raw and didn’t have a clue, and looking at him now, he’d be starting in most clubs.”
Tanner Stowers-Smith will stay with the Warriors until the end of the 2030 season. Photo / Photosport
Webster went on to compliment the forward’s all-round game.
“Tanner can start, he can be a bench player who gives you impact, but a player that can start fast and go after the opposition and that’s a cool trait to have at such a young age,” the coach said.
“He’s growing, he’s got things he knows he needs to work on, but he’s ambitious and wants to get better and that’s what I like about him.
“He always wants to improve.”
Born in Christchurch, Stower-Smith played 13 times in his rookie season and should play in his 19th of this year’s campaign against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium on Saturday.
Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden said the prop has made significant improvements since his first game.
“In just over a year, he has gone from being a first-grade rookie to establishing himself as a quality first-grader in the middle of the field,” McFadden said.
“His progress has been outstanding.”
Stowers-Smith has started three times in 2026 and come off the bench 15 times, averaging 122m and 24 tackles.
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