Due to the NRL’s contracting rules, Egan was free to talk to other clubs from as early as November, with his previous deal expiring at the end of 2025.
However, despite the possibility of commanding a huge salary from an Australian club, Egan on Tuesday re-signed for two more years.
And speaking to Newstalk ZB’s D’Arcy Waldegrave, Egan made it clear that Aotearoa is where he wants to spend the best years of his career.
“They reached out a couple of weeks ago, before I come off contract, and put together a deal,” the 27-year-old said.
Egan wasn’t alone as a top hooker in that position.
The likes of Brandon Smith (Sydney Roosters), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jeremy Marshall-King (Redcliffe Dolphins) and Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys) were also off-contract in the same window.
Wayde Egan. Photo / Photosport
What’s more, his form in a struggling Warriors side has seen Egan’s name put forward for representative duty, and a possible maiden New South Wales call-up for State of Origin.
Blues coach Michael Maguire is a known admirer of Egan, and last year joked of seeing the Warriors rake switch allegiance from Australia to New Zealand when he was in charge of the Kiwis.
Having representative honours under his belt would only add to Egan’s value on the open market, and would make him an attractive prospect for any club.
Should he have tested his value, it’s not out of the question that he could have commanded a much higher salary than he’ll get in New Zealand.
But while Warriors sides of the past have lost Australian talent to the lure of returning home, Egan wasn’t prepared to entertain thoughts of returning across the Tasman.
“I didn’t let it get to that stage. I wasn’t keen to look anywhere else.
“I’m very happy here and content in New Zealand. I don’t want to play for another club at the moment.
“You can’t talk to anyone before the end of your contract year. I wouldn’t be able to go on the open market until November.
However, the club have already moved to capture the signature of Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris, and secured the highly touted Jett Cleary - son of former coach Ivan Cleary.
And with Webster himself at the club until the end of 2028, everything is in place for the Warriors to continue to grow over the coming years.
“The structure is there, the foundation is built of a good club,” said Egan.
“We’re in a bit of a down patch now, but I know we’ll come out the other side of that.
“The foundation is great, I love the people at the club, I love the boys and I don’t want to leave.”
Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.
