The New Zealand Warriors are set to hand talented rookie dummy half Taniela Otukolo an upgraded top 30 deal for the 2022 NRL season. He was due to be on the Warriors' 30-man roster in 2022, but it would appear Otukolo is set to take that spot, according to a Stuff.co.nz report. The 19-year-old made his debut in the 2021 NRL season as the Warriors' battled a mass injury crisis, at one point not being able to name 21 players. Rated as one of the most talented junior players in New Zealand, Otukolo could immediately push for a spot in the dummy half role alongside Wayde Egan and Jazz Tevaga. According to the Stuff report however, Otukolo is so highly rated that the Warriors didn't actively pursue Brandon Smith because he was in the system.

Source: Stuff November 16, 2021 01:10 UTC