Kiwi great Adam Blair says securing James Fisher-Harris on a four-year deal is among the biggest signings the Warriors have made in their three-decade history.
A triple premiership winner and the reigning Golden Boot recipient, Fisher-Harris will link with the Warriors at the conclusion of the current NRL season after being granted a release from the remaining two years of his contract with the Panthers.
Blair said in picking up ‘JFH’, the Warriors have managed to swap one top-three prop for another, with the 28-year-old coming in to replace Sharks-bound Addin Fonua-Blake.
“You lose one top-three prop at the end of the year and you gain one,” Blair told NRL.com.
“The comeback of Shaun Johnson [in 2022] was quite big, but this one – given nobody would have thought it was happening in the background – it’s one of the biggest signings for the Warriors.
You never would have thought you’d be able to get James Fisher-Harris back to New Zealand at this stage of his career. He’s in prime form.
Adam Blair
“It’s exciting for the Warriors and it just adds to the momentum they have already generated.
“This is what you want for the Warriors, that top homegrown talent coming to the club.
"The Warriors have gained a special player.”
Kiwi teammates congratulate James-Fisher Harris on Golden Boot
After falling short earlier this year in their pursuit of Braden Hamlin-Uele, who instead signed on for another two seasons with the Sharks, it looked like the Warriors may miss out on signing an experienced replacement for Fonua-Blake.
But with Fisher-Harris now secured, the club has the majority of their top 30 squad for next year confirmed, with Jazz Tevaga and Shaun Johnson their only currently players without a deal in place beyond this season.
And Blair says the arrival of JFH could now also be a crucial factor in whether or not Johnson opts to play on again in 2025.
“When Shaun heard about Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck] coming back this year, that most probably made him want to play another year," Blair said.
"Maybe it’s the case again and we will get Shaun for another year.
"For most players when they get to the back end of their career, you’re wanting to know what’s coming and how that will suit you.
“This is what players look for… it’s something Shaun will think about when he sits down to think about 2025.”
Having worked alongside Fisher-Harris during his time as an assistant coach at the Panthers in 2021 and 2022, Warriors coach Andrew Webster said he’s looking forward to linking back up with the 183-game veteran.
“I loved working with him at the Panthers and we really look forward to bringing him into our system from next season,” Webster said.
“He’ll add terrific value to our roster, to the club overall and he’ll also be invaluable as a mentor for our young players coming through.
"He’s one of the game’s elite players, a super tough forward who sets and demands the highest standards.”