The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign star lock Erin Clark through until the end of the 2029 NRL season.

The 28-year-old was initially signed until the end of the 2027, but with the Warriors losing veteran forward Mitch Barnett and Marata Niukore at the end of the season, along with the looming threat of two new franchises entering the competition, the club opted to lock him down for a further two years.

Clark has been a revelation since returning to the Warriors last year, where he stepped up to the starting lock role following the sudden retirement of then captain Tohu Harris and Dylan Walker’s departure to the Parramatta Eels.

There was little fanfare when the deal was confirmed, but he quickly turned heads as in 25 games last season, he averaged 147m and 34 tackles a game and his form saw him named Lock of the Year at the Dally M awards, while also being selected for the Rugby League Players Associations Dream Team.

“Erin has been exceptional ever since he returned,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster.

“When we lost Tohu Harris and then Dylan Walker last year, Erin stepped straight in to fill the role at 13.

“He’s been fantastic, I love what he does for us and he fits in so well with the boys. The thing is he has even more to give. He’s a great asset.”

Clark made his Warriors debut in 2017 as a teenager, making one appearance before leaving to pursue other opportunities. It took time, but he eventually got his breakthrough at the Gold Coast Titans in 2020, where he made 94 appearances.

A desire to return to New Zealand followed, alongside his mother – former Silver Fern Temepara Bailey – who left the Titans’ netball side to coach the Northern Stars.

Erin Clark celebrates his first try for the Warriors. Photo / Photosport

Clark has played in all six games so far this season, where the Warriors have a 4-2 record and sit third on the NRL ladder.

He is one of four players locked down through until the end of 2029, alongside Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban and new recruit Will Warbrick, who will join the side next year.

With Barnett, Niukore, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck all leaving at the end of the season, the Warriors have five players left off contract whose futures are yet to be determined.

They have halves duo Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd, second rower Kurt Capewell, centre Rocco Berry and utility Te Maire Martin.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.