19 May 2025

Prop Tanner Stowers-Smith became the latest of the One New Zealand Warriors’ home-grown new breed to debut in the Round 11 NRL match against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium over the weekend.

Christchurch-born and raised Stowers-Smith, the great-grandson of renowned Kiwi Pat Smith, became Warrior #292, the third player to make his club debut this season after co-captain and Kiwi skipper James Fisher-Harris and hooker Sam Healey.

Pat Smith was a skilful hooker/prop who boasted the unique honour of having captained New Zealand in all 10 of his Test appearances and 36 matches overall from 1947-49, leading the Kiwis to victories over Great Britain, France and Australia.

A product of the Halswell Hornets and St. Bede’s College, Stowers-Smith excelled in both rugby league and rugby union as a schoolboy but opted for rugby league after finishing his schooling.

He is the fifth local player from this year’s NRL squad who graduated from the Warriors’ pathways system since 2023, to make his first-grade debut following on from centre Ali Leiataua, prop-second rower Demitric Vaimauga and back rowers Jacob Laban and Leka Halasima.

Only two years ago Stowers-Smith captained the club’s side in the SG Ball Cup under-19 competition before moving up to the New South Wales Cup side for the bulk of the year. Following an impressive season he was selected in the Kiwis A squad who faced Tonga A in the 2023 Pacific Championships.

Stowers-Smith joined fellow 21-year-olds Vaimauga and Laban on one of the youngest interchange combinations in the club’s history. He finished his debut game with 21 tackles made and 6 runs for 50 metres, impressive for his 25 minutes of game time.