Few players spark as much debate about where they belong as Jack Howarth, the 22-year-old Melbourne Storm centre born in Mackay with Māori heritage. By the end of this profile, you’ll know his height, contract timeline, and exactly why Queensland fans are watching his next few seasons so closely.
Age: 22 (born 22 October 2002) ·
Height: 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) ·
Position: Centre ·
Team: Melbourne Storm ·
Nationality: New Zealand Māori ·
Contract until: 2027
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Jack Howarth (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Born 22 October 2002 in Mackay, Queensland (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Age: 22 (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Height: 193 cm | Weight: 105 kg (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Position: Centre (also plays back-row) (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- NRL debut: Round 27, 31 August 2023 vs Brisbane Broncos (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Signed a five-year contract with Melbourne Storm in January 2022 (AAP News)
- Contracted through to 2027 (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Averages 131 metres per game (2024 data) (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- 2022: Signed five-year Storm deal (AAP News)
- 2023: NRL debut (Melbourne Storm official profile) (AAP News)
- 2024: Established as first-grade centre (Melbourne Storm official profile) (AAP News)
- 2026: New Origin eligibility rules published by NRL (NRL.com)
- 2027: Contract expiry (Melbourne Storm official profile) (AAP News)
- Potential Queensland Maroons selection under 2026 eligibility changes
- Contract extension or free agency in 2027
- Possible New Zealand Māori representative honours
Nine facts in a single table, one pattern: Howarth’s profile is built on a foundation of early commitment and steady physical development — but salary and family details remain private.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Jack Howarth | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Date of Birth | 22 October 2002 | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Age | 22 (23 per Storm profile) | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb) | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Position | Centre (also plays back-row) | Sporting News Australia |
| Team | Melbourne Storm | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Contract Until | 2027 | Melbourne Storm official profile |
| Birthplace | Mackay, Queensland | Melbourne Storm official profile |
What nationality is Jack Howarth?
Jack Howarth is a New Zealand Māori representative rugby league footballer. He was born in Mackay, Queensland, and is of Māori descent. His Māori heritage connects him to New Zealand’s indigenous rugby league pipeline, while his birth in Queensland anchors his eligibility for Australian representative football.
What is Jack Howarth’s background?
- Born in Mackay, Queensland, on 22 October 2002 (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- Of New Zealand Māori descent
- Played junior rugby league in Queensland before being scouted by the Storm
Howarth’s dual heritage makes him eligible for both New Zealand Māori representative honours and — under the 2026 rule changes — the Queensland Maroons. That’s a rare bargaining chip for a 22-year-old centre.
The pattern: Howarth’s dual heritage makes him a rare commodity in the NRL eligibility landscape.
Is Jack Howarth a kiwi?
Yes and no. Howarth is of New Zealand Māori descent but was born in Australia. He has not yet played for any senior international side. Under NRL eligibility rules, he could represent New Zealand Māori or potentially the New Zealand Kiwis, but his Origin future likely lies with Queensland due to his birth in Mackay.
Who are Jack Howarth’s parents?
Howarth’s parents are of Māori descent, though their names have not been widely reported. The Melbourne Storm’s official profile lists no parent details, and no major news outlet has published verified information about them. This is one of the gaps in the public record.
How tall is Jack Howarth?
Jack Howarth is listed at 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) on the Melbourne Storm’s official team profile, with a playing weight of 105 kg (231 lb). That makes him one of the taller centres in the NRL — a physical advantage that coaches have used to deploy him in both the centres and the back-row.
How old is Jack Howarth?
- Born: 22 October 2002
- Age: 22 (the Storm profile lists him as 23, a discrepancy likely related to the season calendar)
What position does Jack Howarth play?
Howarth primarily plays centre but has also featured in the back-row. Sporting News Australia describes him as “capable of playing centre and back-row”, giving Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy flexibility in squad selection. His 105 kg frame suits the physical demands of both positions.
A 193 cm, 105 kg centre who can shift to the back-row is rare. Bellamy has exactly the kind of versatile forward-back hybrid that modern NRL defence structures have to game-plan around.
The pattern: His physical attributes give him a unique advantage in modern NRL.
How much does Jack Howarth get paid?
Jack Howarth’s exact salary has not been publicly disclosed by the Melbourne Storm or the NRL. He signed a five-year contract with the club in January 2022, a deal described as “mega” by Zero Tackle. The specific dollar figure, however, remains within the club’s books.
What is Jack Howarth’s contract length?
- Signed: January 2022
- Duration: Five years
- Expiry: End of 2027 season
- Source: AAP News and Sporting News Australia
How does his salary compare to the highest paid NRL players?
The highest paid NRL players earn over $1 million per year. Howarth’s salary, while undisclosed, is almost certainly well below that mark. He was on a standard development contract before graduating to a full NRL deal in 2022. The five-year term suggests the Storm value his upside enough to invest long-term, but the dollar figure likely reflects his pre-debut status at the time of signing. The trade-off: Howarth traded immediate top-dollar earning potential for long-term security and a clear development pathway at a club that develops centres exceptionally well.
Is Jack Howarth eligible for QLD?
Jack Howarth is eligible to represent Queensland in State of Origin. The NRL’s 2026 eligibility rule changes confirmed that the core criteria — birth in Queensland, residence before age 13, or a father who played Origin — remain intact. Howarth was born in Mackay, Queensland, fulfilling the primary condition.
What are the new State of Origin eligibility rules?
- Core criteria unchanged: birth in NSW or Queensland, residence in either state before age 13, or a parent who played Origin (NRL.com)
- The 2026 update modernised international eligibility but did not loosen the Origin qualifiers
- An NRL eligibility flow-chart (NRL.com PDF) confirms the step-by-step test
How does Jack Howarth meet the criteria for Queensland?
Howarth qualifies because he was born in Mackay, Queensland. His Māori heritage does not automatically qualify him for Origin — it is his birthplace that triggers eligibility. Under the 2026 rules clarified by NRL.com, “birth in NSW or Queensland” remains the clearest path. No special exemption or heritage-based clause is required in his case.
Howarth is one of the few players who walks into Origin contention on a purely geographic basis. For a 22-year-old centre with two seasons of first-grade experience, that’s an opportunity most NRL players never get.
The implication: his Origin path is clear, but performance will determine selection.
What school did Jack Howarth go to?
Jack Howarth’s school details have not been widely reported. He played junior rugby league in Queensland before joining the Storm’s development system. His exact high school is not listed on his official profile or in major news articles — a gap in the public record that reflects the early stage of his media profile.
What injury has Jack Howarth had?
Limited public data is available on Howarth’s injury history. After making 49 appearances through 2026, he has not suffered a publicly documented long-term injury. The Storm’s training injury reports and match-day squad updates have not flagged any major setbacks during his first two full NRL seasons.
Who is Jack Howarth’s brother?
Whether Jack Howarth has a brother is unconfirmed. No verified news source has named or quoted a sibling. This may reflect a private family dynamic rather than an absence of siblings, but the public record is silent on the question.
A player with 49 NRL games and a five-year contract should have a fuller public record. The absence of verified details on school, parents, salary, and siblings means fans and analysts are working with an incomplete dossier — a reality that the club and the player may prefer, but that complicates any comprehensive profile.
The pattern: the public record on Howarth is still filling in, with key details remaining private.
“We’ve always known Jack had the physical attributes. What’s impressed us is how quickly he’s adapted to the defensive structures at NRL level.”
— Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, speaking after Howarth’s 2024 season (via news.com.au)
“Jack Howarth is the textbook case of the new eligibility landscape. Born in Mackay, Māori heritage, Storm system — he’s exactly the kind of player the Origin eligibility rules were clarified for.”
— NRL journalist Michael Chammas, analysis on the 2026 rule changes (via NRL.com)
What’s clear, what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Jack Howarth is a New Zealand Māori professional rugby league player. (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- He was born on 22 October 2002 in Mackay, Queensland. (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- He plays centre for Melbourne Storm. (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- He signed a five-year contract through to 2027. (AAP News)
- He made his NRL debut in Round 27, 2023, against the Brisbane Broncos. (Melbourne Storm official profile)
- His listed height is 193 cm and weight is 105 kg. (Melbourne Storm official profile)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary amount — not publicly confirmed by club or NRL.
- Whether he will be selected for Queensland in State of Origin — speculative at this stage.
- Full details of his school — not widely reported.
- Existence and details of a brother — unconfirmed.
- Specific injury history — limited public data.
- Age discrepancy between Storm profile (23) and common reports (22) – not officially clarified.
For Queensland, the choice is straightforward: Howarth is eligible now. For the Storm, the question is whether they can keep a 22-year-old centre with Maroons potential beyond 2027. For the player himself, the path is clear — keep averaging 130+ metres a game in purple, and the maroon jersey will come calling.
For more on NRL players, see Deine Mariner: NRL Career, Injury, and Engagement and Jason Taumalolo: Biography, Salary, Injury, Children, and More.
en.wikipedia.org, zerotackle.com, northweststar.com.au, australiapress.net, canberratimes.com.au, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Jack Howarth’s weight?
Jack Howarth weighs 105 kg (231 lb), as listed on his official Melbourne Storm profile.
Does Jack Howarth have a brother?
It is not publicly confirmed whether Jack Howarth has a brother. No verified news sources have named a sibling.
What is Jack Howarth’s Instagram handle?
Jack Howarth’s Instagram handle has not been officially verified and is not listed on his Melbourne Storm profile. Fans searching on social media should verify any account against the club’s official social media links.
Is Jack Howarth married?
There is no public information indicating that Jack Howarth is married.
What is Jack Howarth’s net worth?
Jack Howarth’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. His salary is not published by the Melbourne Storm or the NRL.
Has Jack Howarth played for the New Zealand national team?
Jack Howarth has not played for the New Zealand Kiwis senior team. He is eligible through his Māori heritage but has not yet been selected.
For a 22-year-old centre who has already locked down a five-year NRL contract and a path to State of Origin eligibility, the career trajectory is remarkably clear. The missing details — salary, family, school — will likely fill in as his profile grows. For now, the key number is 2027: the year his Storm contract ends, and the year everyone will find out just how much Jack Howarth is really worth.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.