The Canberra Raiders can confirm that Joseph Tapine has re-signed with the club on a new deal, which will keep him in green until the end of the 2027 season.
Tapine was already contracted with the club for 2023, with the four-year extension seeing him locked into Canberra for the next five seasons.
2022 was a career best season for the New Zealand international, as he led the NRL in post-contact metres (1,731), was second in offloads (47), with a staggering 406 runs (sixth in NRL) for 4125 metres (third in NRL) over the course of the season.
His dominant individual season saw him win his first Meninga Medal as the Raiders player of the year, polling 44 votes across the year, 22 more than his nearest rival. Tapine also had the opportunity to Captain the club for the first time in the Raiders round 25 demolition of the Wests Tigers to secure a finals position.
Since joining the Raiders in 2016 Tapine has played 145 matches for the Raiders, with this new deal set to see him become one of the clubs most capped players in club history.
Tapine said he’s excited to re-sign with the Raiders, and he wants to continue his career in Canberra and work towards achieving his and the teams’ goals.
“I’m looking forward to what the future brings and me and my wife are happy here and to be part of this club for the long-term is something special,” Tapine said. “I remember a conversation I had with Stick (Ricky Stuart) and he said you’ll play 250 games here and that’s one of my goals. I want to try and play as many games as I can for this club and be up there with some of the great players who have played here.”
After an incredible 2022 season, Tapine said his challenge is to follow up in 2023 and beyond with similar form and said he aspires to be club captain during the term of his new deal.
“It’s all about being consistent and back it up next year and the year after that. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be a leader here and I’ll still grow off the leadership group. There are still senior players ahead of me and I’ll keep working with them and hopefully be there (Captain) one day.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner said the re-signing of Tapine was a huge boost for the club and he looked forward to seeing Tapine continue his form at the World Cup and into his next contract with the Raiders.
“There’s no doubt Joe has had his best season in the NRL in 2022 and we’re very excited to have him re-commit to the club for the long-term,” Furner said. “His development on and off the field has been something that we’re very proud of and we know he will continue to be one of the most valuable parts of our side in the future.
“We wish Joe all the best on his upcoming World Cup campaign with New Zealand and we can’t wait to see him back on the field for the Raiders for the next five seasons.”
