sammy 
The Penrith Panthers have moved decisively to protect one of their brightest emerging talents, locking in highly rated young forward Tevita Havili on a contract extension that will keep him at the club for the next two seasons.
Renowned for producing and developing elite junior talent, the Panthers are no strangers to losing promising youngsters to rival NRL clubs. Determined to avoid that scenario once again, Penrith acted swiftly after Havili’s rapid rise through the junior ranks attracted widespread attention across the league.
According to reports from Wide World of Sports, the club has secured the signature of the hard-running second-rower, a product of the Windsor system, as he continues his progression through Penrith’s renowned elite pathways program. The new deal ensures Havili will remain in Panthers colours while he focuses on his development during a crucial stage of his young career.
The 19-year-old is set to begin his first season in the SG Ball Cup in 2026, having impressed throughout the 2025 Harold Matthews Cup campaign. His performances last season marked him as one of the standout forwards in the competition, prompting several NRL clubs to closely monitor his situation.
Havili’s re-signing underlines Penrith’s long-term strategy of identifying, nurturing and retaining elite junior talent early. It also reinforces the Panthers’ reputation as the benchmark club for development in the NRL, ensuring their production line of future first-grade stars remains strong for years to come.
