New Zealand Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has reportedly been in discussions with the Wests Tigers about a potential transfer, despite being a key player for the Warriors under coach Andrew Webster. Montoya, now 28, has been with the Warriors since leaving the Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of 2020. During his time with the Warriors, he has scored 30 tries in 82 appearances, 46 of which have come in the last two seasons. This year alone, Montoya has played 19 games, scoring eight tries and averaging 126 meters per match.
Although he is contracted with the Warriors until 2026, the club has given Montoya the green light to explore other opportunities before the official market opens on November 1. This suggests that if Montoya finds a suitable deal with another team for the 2025 season, the Warriors are open to letting him leave early, even though he could remain with the Warriors for 2026 if he chooses.
The Warriors’ willingness to part with Montoya likely stems from their desire to promote young talent within the club’s ranks, particularly in the outside backs. Key positions for next season are already secured by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who will play on the wing, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at center, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback. This leaves competition for the remaining spots among players like Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Ben Farr, Edward Kosi, Setu Tu, Rocco Berry, Sio Kali, and Taine Tuaupiki.
Despite Montoya’s value to the Warriors, the possibility of him joining the Wests Tigers raises questions. The Tigers have already strengthened their backline for 2025 by signing Jeral Skelton and Sunia Turuva. Turuva, along with fullback Jahream Bula, are expected to secure starting positions in the back five under coach Benji Marshall, who is preparing for his second season at the helm. Given the abundance of young talent at the Tigers, Montoya’s potential move there may depend on the club’s need for experienced players to balance their roster.
In conclusion, while Montoya’s potential switch to the Tigers remains uncertain, the Warriors’ decision to let him explore the market shows a focus on developing younger talent. Montoya’s future will likely depend on whether he can secure a deal that suits both his interests and the Tigers’ evolving roster needs.
