20-year-old Zyon Maiu’u, hailing from West Auckland, marked his NRL debut last night for the New Zealand Warriors in their close defeat against the Gold Coast Titans at GoMedia Mt. Smart Stadium.
Entering the game in the 57th minute, the young prop/second rower immediately showcased his impactful style of play, particularly with his strong runs through the middle. In just 13 minutes on the field, Maiu’u made seven runs, accumulating a total of 77 run metres, with 39 of those metres coming after contact.
His presence noticeably lifted the Warriors’ energy as they fought against the clock to mount a late comeback against the Titans.
Maiu’u initially rose through the ranks, starting with the Warriors’ 2020 S. G. Ball Cup squad, before securing a three-year contract with the club in 2021. Peter O’Sullivan, the Warriors’ recruitment manager, commended Maiu’u’s competitiveness, skill, toughness, and versatility to play both on the edge and in the middle positions.
Since 2023, he has been a consistent performer in the Warriors’ New South Wales Cup squad, accumulating 32 appearances before earning his promotion to the NRL side this week.
A product of the Te Atatu Roosters junior program, Maiu’u represented the NZRL New Zealand Schools side in 2020 and later featured in the NZRL National 20s Competition with the Auckland Blue team the following year, where he was named Tournament MVP.
After just one brief appearance in the NRL, Zyon Maiu’u has already made a significant impression, showcasing his talent and potential.
