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Blackcaps LIVE on SN ExtraNew NRL deal looms for South Sydney halfback
Jasper Bruce, AAP •  July 14th, 2026 7:00 am
South Sydney are close to securing the future of Ashton Ward | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Ashton Ward is the NRL's only first-choice halfback uncertain of his immediate playing future but South Sydney are unlikely to keep it that way for long.
Heading into round 20, Souths' Ward and retiring Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds are the only first-choice No.7s without contracts for 2027.
Even then, the Broncos have Ben Hunt, Jonah Pezet and Tom Duffy as halves options to partner Ezra Mam next year once Reynolds hangs up the boots.
But AAP has been told the sixth-placed Rabbitohs are approaching a new deal to retain the 22-year-old, who has quietly pieced together an impressive first full NRL season.
Ashton Ward appears to be a big part of the Rabbitohs' plans | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Ward is eager to remain at the Rabbitohs, who lured him from St George Illawarra after he was named the Dragons' under-21s player of the year for 2024.
"I've said many times that this is the place that helped me fulfil my dream of making my debut," Ward told AAP.
"I want to pay them back by getting as close as we can to making finals and hopefully going deep into it.
"I want to stay. This is my home."
Ashton Ward suffered an injury during the Round 1 clash with the Dolphins | Photo: AAP
Ward has bounced back nicely after missing almost two months with the ankle injury he suffered in the round-one win over the Dolphins.
He most recently put Junior Tatola over in Sunday's 26-24 upset defeat of Newcastle, one of eight try assists from nine games this year.
The latest victory came without veteran halves partner Cody Walker (suspension) by his side.
"Wayne (Bennett, coach) sort of had a bit of a chat to me earlier in the week and he said he didn't really want me to change too much (without Walker)," Ward said.
"I just thought I played a similar job to what I usually do."
Ashton Ward is making a career of playing bigger than his frame suggests | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
It's all left one of the NRL's smallest players confident that he belongs at the highest level.
"I've had it my whole life, I've always been one of the smallest people on the field, so you get pretty used to it," Ward said.
"You can see people eyeing you off and you can see them coming from a mile away. I just do the best that I can to put my body on the line.
"I feel like I'm starting to find my feet. I'm pretty grateful for the edge that I have with big David Fifita, Jack (Wighton) and 'Stretch' (Campbell Graham) there. They look after me. I'm having a great year so far, I feel good."
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