The Melbourne Storm are being tipped to give Manaia Waitere plenty of opportunities at NRL level in 2026 after his switch from the Canberra Raiders in the off-season. The Raiders released Waitere in December to make room for the immediate arrival of Coby Black from the Broncos.
The Storm quickly moved to snap him up, and the 24-year-old will provide some valuable depth to Melbourne’s outside-back stocks. Waitere has played fullback, centre and five-eighth during his career, and made his NRL debut for Canberra in Round 27 last year – his one and only game at first-grade level.
Manaia Waitere (R) has joined the Melbourne Storm after switching from the Canberra Raiders. Image: Getty/NRL
The New Zealander has scored 19 tries in 54 appearances in NSW Cup, including nine for the Raiders’ reserve-grade side last season. It’s unlikely he’ll be in the Storm’s top 17 to start 2026, but he should get multiple opportunities at the top level throughout the year.
The Storm’s back five will likely consist of Sua Fa’alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney and Xavier Coates. But Warbrick, Howarth and Coates all missed games due to injury in 2026, and Coates will likely have State of Origin duty with Queensland as well.
That will open the door for the likes of Waitere, Marion Seve and Moses Leo. And with Meaney and Tyran Wishart both signing for the Perth Bears for 2027, it could be the perfect way to audition for a regular spot moving forward.
Manaia Waitere made his NRL debut in Round 27 last year. (AAP Image/Darren England)
The Storm touted the signing of Waitere when he was one of three players announced as joining Craig Bellamy’s side in 2026. They also snapped up free agent forward Jack Hetherington and former Panthers half Trent Toelau.
“Jack, Trent and Manaia each bring their own strengths to our group, and we’re excited for what they can offer both in the short-term and into next season,” said the Storm’s director of football Frank Ponissi. “Jack provides proven NRL experience, while Trent and Manaia are young players with impressive talent. We believe all three will thrive in our environment, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our Storm family.”
Melbourne Storm dealing with player departures
The Storm are going through a period of major transition. Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jonah Pezet and Nelson Asofa-Solomona have all departed, while Eli Katoa is highly unlikely to play at all in 2026 due to the head knocks he suffered in the Pacific Championships.
Fa’alogo will get first crack at replacing Papenhuyzen as fullback, while Ativalu Lisati will likely slot into Katoa’s starting second-row spot. Origin forward Trent Loiero will miss the first two games of the season due to suspension.