Few NRL moves have sparked as much conversation as Jamayne Isaako’s decision to leave the Dolphins for the Melbourne Storm in 2027. The 30-year-old goal-kicking winger, who led the league in points last season, will bring his reliable boot and Polynesian heritage to one of the competition’s powerhouse clubs.

Born: 5 June 1996 ·
Height: 183 cm ·
Position: Winger / goal-kicker ·
Current Club: Dolphins (NRL) ·
Goals in 2025 season: 87 ·
NRL debut: 2017 for Brisbane Broncos

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact weight not consistently reported across sources (Dolphins profile)
  • Goal-kicking percentage across entire career not formally published by NRL (Dolphins profile)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Joins Melbourne Storm for 2027 and 2028 seasons (Sporting News)

The table below summarizes his key biographical and career details.

Full Name Jamayne Isaako
Date of Birth 5 June 1996
Age (as of 2026) 30 years
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight ~95 kg
Position Winger / Goal-kicker
Current Club Dolphins (NRL)
Future Club (2027-2028) Melbourne Storm
NRL Debut 2017 for Brisbane Broncos
Ethnicity New Zealand Māori and Samoan

What is Jamayne Isaako’s background?

Early life and heritage

Jamayne Isaako was born on 5 June 1996 in New Zealand and is of New Zealand Māori and Samoan descent, as documented by Wikipedia. His Polynesian heritage has been a consistent part of his public identity throughout his rugby league career.

The trade-off

Isaako’s dual international eligibility — representing both Samoa and New Zealand at the international level — reflects the cultural bridge his career embodies, but it also means fans often debate which jersey he should wear on the big stage.

Junior rugby league career

Isaako’s early career took him from New Zealand to Australia, where he developed through the junior ranks before making his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2017, according to NRL official stats. He spent time with the New Zealand Warriors from 2019 to 2021 before joining the Dolphins as an expansion signing in 2023.

The pattern: Isaako has been a late bloomer, finding his most consistent form in his late 20s rather than early in his career.

How tall is Jamayne Isaako?

Physical stats

According to the Dolphins club profile, Jamayne Isaako stands at 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) and weighs approximately 95 kg. His height is typical for a modern NRL winger, giving him a solid frame for both attacking runs and defensive duties.

  • Height: 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) — Dolphins profile
  • Weight: ~95 kg — Dolphins profile
  • Build: Solid frame for winger, capable of breaking tackles

The implication: at 95 kg, Isaako has the size to compete physically in Melbourne’s forward-heavy system while maintaining the speed needed on the edge.

Is Jamayne Isaako leaving the Dolphins?

Contract situation 2026-2027

Yes, Jamayne Isaako will leave the Dolphins at the end of the 2026 NRL season. On 29 March 2026, the Melbourne Storm official announcement confirmed he had signed a two-year contract covering the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Sporting News Australia reported that the Storm view Isaako as the replacement for departing fullback Nick Meaney.

The catch

Isaako’s departure leaves a significant goal-kicking hole at the Dolphins, who will need to find a replacement for a player who scored 278 points in the 2025 season alone.

Melbourne Storm signing announcement

The official announcement described Isaako as a player with 164 first-grade appearances, 77 tries, and 525 goals in his career at the time of signing, per the Melbourne Storm media release. Storm football director Frank Ponissi publicly said the club was “delighted” to secure Isaako’s signature, noting that his partner Abby has parents based in Melbourne, making the move suitable for both parties.

Why this matters: for Melbourne, gaining the NRL’s leading point-scorer from 2025 at age 30 represents a calculated short-term investment in proven scoring ability rather than developing youth.

Is Isaako a good goal kicker?

Goal-kicking statistics

The 2025 season saw Jamayne Isaako kick 87 goals for the Dolphins and finish as the NRL’s leading point-scorer with 278 points, according to the Melbourne Storm official announcement. His career conversion rate is estimated above 80%, though the NRL does not publish a single verified career percentage across all seasons.

  • 2025 goals: 87 — Melbourne Storm
  • Career tries: 77 (as of signing) — Melbourne Storm
  • Career goals: 525 (as of signing) — Melbourne Storm
  • Career points: 1,363 (as of signing) — Melbourne Storm

“Isaako is a consistent and reliable goal-kicker who adds a dimension to any backline.”

— 2GB (Sydney radio coverage)

The pattern: Isaako’s goal-kicking is his primary value-add. For a Storm team that has relied on Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes for creativity, adding a reliable sideline boot could shift their attacking strategy.

Is Isaako in the NRL 2027?

Melbourne Storm contract details

Yes, Jamayne Isaako will remain in the NRL for the 2027 season. He has signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Storm (official announcement) covering 2027 and 2028. Zero Tackle’s player page and 2GB both confirm the two-year agreement.

“Isaako will join the club ahead of the 2027 NRL season.”

— Melbourne Storm media release

What to watch

If Nick Meaney’s move to a Perth-based team in 2027 materialises, Isaako’s role as his direct replacement means he will be under immediate pressure to replicate Meaney’s defensive reliability while maintaining his own scoring output.

Future NRL plans

The Zero Tackle player movements tracker lists Isaako as a 2027 gain for Melbourne and a 2027 loss for the Dolphins. At 30 years old at the start of the 2027 season, this two-year deal likely represents his final major contract in the NRL.

For Isaako, the move to Melbourne offers a chance to compete for premierships — something the Dolphins have not yet achieved — but also means adapting to a new system under coach Craig Bellamy, known for his demanding standards.

What ethnicity is Isaako?

Heritage and ancestry

Jamayne Isaako is of New Zealand Māori and Samoan descent, born in New Zealand, as recorded by Wikipedia. The Melbourne Storm announcement described him as an international representative for both Samoa and New Zealand, reflecting his dual heritage.

“Isaako is an international representative for both Samoa and New Zealand.”

— Melbourne Storm official announcement

The takeaway: Isaako’s Polynesian background connects him to a strong lineage of Pacific Islander talent in the NRL, and his ability to represent two nations has made him a versatile figure in international rugby league.

How old is Jamayne Isaako?

Date of birth and age

Born 5 June 1996, Jamayne Isaako will be 30 years old at the start of the 2026 NRL season and 31 when he joins the Melbourne Storm for the 2027 campaign. Wikipedia and the Dolphins club profile both list his birthdate as 5 June 1996.

  • Born: 5 June 1996 (Wikipedia)
  • Age in 2026: 30 years
  • Age at 2027 Storm debut: 31 years

The implication: at an age where most NRL wingers begin to decline, Isaako is coming off his best scoring season — a curve that defies typical career trajectories.

Timeline

  • 5 June 1996 — Born in New Zealand (Wikipedia)
  • 2017 — NRL debut for Brisbane Broncos (NRL official)
  • 2019–2021 — Played for New Zealand Warriors (NRL official)
  • 2023 — Signed with Dolphins (NRL expansion team) (Dolphins profile)
  • 2025 season — Recorded 87 goals for the Dolphins (Melbourne Storm)
  • 29 March 2026 — Announced signing with Melbourne Storm for 2027-2028 (Melbourne Storm)
  • 2027 season — Expected to debut for Melbourne Storm (Melbourne Storm)
Additional sources

news.ssbcrack.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, melbournestorm.com.au, reddit.com, zerotackle.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Jamayne Isaako’s position?

He plays as a winger and goal-kicker in the NRL, primarily on the wing for the Dolphins.

Is Jamayne Isaako a good goal kicker?

Yes. He kicked 87 goals in the 2025 season and finished as the NRL’s leading point-scorer with 278 points, according to Melbourne Storm.

When did Jamayne Isaako debut in the NRL?

He made his NRL debut in 2017 for the Brisbane Broncos, per NRL official records.

How many goals did Jamayne Isaako kick in 2025?

He kicked 87 goals in the 2025 NRL season, as reported by Melbourne Storm.

What teams has Jamayne Isaako played for?

He has played for the Brisbane Broncos (2017-2018), New Zealand Warriors (2019-2021), Dolphins (2023-2026), and will join the Melbourne Storm from 2027.

Is Jamayne Isaako leaving the Dolphins?

Yes. He signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Storm for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, announced on 29 March 2026.

How old is Jamayne Isaako?

He was born on 5 June 1996, making him 30 years old in 2026.

Related reading

For Jamayne Isaako, the choice to leave the Dolphins for Melbourne at age 30 is a bet on winning now. For the Storm, the investment in a proven point-scorer with 1,363 career points is either a premiership-ready addition or a short-term fix — and the 2027 season will determine which.