Warrington Wolves youngster heads to Championship side on season-long loan

Warrington Wolves youngster Nolan Tupaea is heading to the Championship on loan for the rest of the season, with Halifax Panthers signing up the 19-year-old.

Tupaea came through the ranks at the Wolves and now heads out to Halifax to get some game time under his belt.

He made his Super League debut last June against Wigan Warriors but has yet to feature for the Wolves in 2025.

He moves to the Panthers following a stint in League 1 at Keighley Cougars earlier in the season as the Panthers push towards securing a Championship play-off spot.

Halifax coach Kyle Eastmond shared he was excited to get Tupaea on board and bolster his forward pack.

Speaking on the Panthers website, Eastmond said: “Nolan is a fantastic young player, an edge back rower who understands the details of the game and is comfortable doing his stuff on an edge.

“I’ve known him for a few months now, and he really wants to develop his game, he’s got the right attitude and energy, and that’s what I like.

“He’s here to support and enhance the great work our lads have already done so far this season. He may be a young player, but he’s tough enough and that’s the main thing for me.”

Championship boss praises Warrington Wolves and Super League club academy set-ups

Whilst most Super League clubs have a full set-up in their Academy and Reserves systems, it can help in their development to head out on loan to Championship and League 1 clubs.

Not only do they get to experience how different clubs operate, but they also get to play against seasoned players, rather than fellow Academy graduates.

Eastmond was full of praise for the way Super League clubs run their junior teams, citing that these players learn so much more than just how to make it as a professional rugby league player.

He finished: “We know the systems these players are coming out of and the standards they set, so they’ll arrive with the right attitude and give everything they’ve got in a Panthers shirt.

“They deserve an opportunity to show what they can do and add to what has already been a good group. We’ll look after him and look forward to seeing him in action.”