The Brisbane Broncos have secured experienced New South Wales forward Mitch Barnett on a three-year deal from 2027 until the end of 2029.
Player Background
Mitch Barnett, who turned 32 this week, made his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders in 2015 before enjoying a long seven-season stint with the Newcastle Knights, where he played 126 games. The powerful prop/lock joined the New Zealand Warriors in 2023 and has now accumulated 179 NRL appearances and 27 tries across his eleven-season career.
Current Form & Impact
Barnett has featured in just two games for the Warriors in 2026 but remains a reliable middle forward with strong tackling and metre-eating ability. He has represented New South Wales on two occasions and was a member of Australia’s 2024 Pacific Championships-winning squad that defeated Tonga in the final.
Why It Matters for the Broncos
The signing forms part of a significant forward reshuffle at Red Hill, with superstar prop Payne Haas having signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on February 16. Released by the Warriors on compassionate grounds (with the move first reported in early March), Barnett is viewed as the ideal replacement to maintain the Broncos’ renowned pack strength and physicality heading into 2027 and beyond. The deal was finalised as part of a player swap that sees Grant Anderson heading to New Zealand from 2027.
Related
https://rugbyleaguezone.com/2026-nrl-squads-and-player-movements-392225/
