Recruitment 2021 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

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2021 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

NRL: Re-signing Tohu Harris Harris top priority for Warriors as other clubs can start negotiations
Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...arriors-as-other-clubs-can-start-negotiations

If there’s one player coming off contract next year that the Warriors must re-sign, it’s Tohu Harris Harris.

The Warriors have nine players in the last year of their current deals in 2021 and it’s Harris who tops that list.

An important deadline past at the weekend, with players not contracted beyond next season able to negotiate with other clubs after November 1.

Every NRL would be keen to have a player the quality of Harris on their books and the 28-year-old will be key to the Warriors’ future success.

Stuff understands talks have started between Harris and the club, but because of the uncertainty due the Covid-19 pandemic the forward isn’t in a rush to finalise a deal.

The Warriors are already planning to spend some, if not all of next season based in Australia and at this stage no one can guarantee that they’ll have to do the same again in 2022.

With a young family, Harris, who is anticipated to win the Simon Mannering Medal on Wednesday, understandably would like to know how things pan out before locking in his future and while rival NRL clubs can start talking to him, the Warriors will no doubt do everything they can to retain him.

On Sunday, the Sun Herald reported that the Warriors are planning to make a play for Kiwi international Jahrome Hughes, who’s current contract comes to an end at the end of 2021.

Hughes was a revelation switching from fullback to halfback at the Storm this year and his manager, Chris Orr has made it clear that he wants to test the market.

The Sunday Telegraph has reported that Hughes is being shopped throughout the NRL, with Orr wanting to double his current salary of $350,000 a season.

Orr appears to be using the media to bump up the value of the 26-year-old Wellingtonian, but the Warriors would only chase Hughes if they lost Kodi Nikorima.

Nikorima has an option in his favour for the 2022 season and if he decides to leave, then Hughes is an obvious target.

Hughes would be a good fit at the Warriors. Like Nikorima, he’s a right-sided player, so a ready made replacement, he is a Kiwi, so would enjoy being back in New Zealand and he has a style of play that would fit well with Harris-Tavita.

However, the Warriors are a long way off making an offer to Hughes and there wouldn’t be one coming until it became evident that Nikorima wanted out at the end of next season.

The other Warriors players coming off contract at the end of 2021 are Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Josh Curran, Jackson Frei, Karl Lawton, Hayze Perham, Adam Pompey and Jazz Tevaga.

The Warriors told Afoa they’d give him a release at the end of this season, which he turned down, so it’s unlikely he’ll be offered a new contract.

The Warriors will want to see how the 30-year-old Ah Mau plays after missing most of this season because of a ruptured pectoral muscle.

Curran saw just 60 minutes of action this, so like Frei will have a lot to prove next year.

Pompey and Perham will find it harder to get game time next season when Ken Maumalo and David Fusitua are back in the team and Euan Aitken is at the club.

Lawton established himself as the Warriors’ first choice hooker last season, but it’s unknown whether new coach Nathan Brown will prefer Wayde Egan.

As for Tevaga, he was one of the Warriors’ most improved players in 2020, but Harris could revert back to lock next year, taking his starting spot.

So for all but Harris, decision on offering new contracts won’t be happening for a while yet, while the club continues to look for another half for the 2021 squad.

Jayden Nikorima, Kodi’s younger brother who played for the Roosters in 2016, is on a train and trial deal with the Warriors, so is a way off being part of the Warriors squad just yet.

He hasn’t played top level footy for four years, but the club believe he’s worth taking a look at.

He has made the trip back to New Zealand, is going through his 14 days in managed isolation and will be out in time for preseason training.

However, another option could be that Warriors sign Sean O’Sullivan, who has previously played for the Roosters and Broncos.

AT A GLANCE

Warriors players coming off contract at the end of 2021

• Bunty Afoa
• Leeson Ah Mau
• Josh Curran
• Jackson Frei
• Tohu Harris Harris
• Karl Lawton
• Kodi Nikorima (has a player option for 2022)
• Hayze Perham
• Adam Pompey
• Jazz Tevaga

 

[Penpal]

Anyone else worried that SOS got a prominent photo and an odd mention in the last line of the story that he could be an option??? To me that screams the jounro knows more than what his source is willing to be made public at this stage.

Last line of the story
However, another option could be that Warriors sign Sean O’Sullivan, who has previously played for the Roosters and Broncos.

Bit random unless you know something more isn't it???

 

[albeano45]

Anyone else worried that SOS got a prominent photo and an odd mention in the last line of the story that he could be an option??? To me that screams the jounro knows more than what his source is willing to be made public at this stage.

Last line of the story
However, another option could be that Warriors sign Sean O’Sullivan, who has previously played for the Roosters and Broncos.

Bit random unless you know something more isn't it???

Actually it feels like this story was mainly based on discussion in this forum... lazy journalism imo

 

[W.A warrior]

Actually it feels like this story was mainly based on discussion in this forum... lazy journalism imo

100%, funny how a lot of chatter on this forum is coincidentally on the Stuff website a day or 2 later lol.

 

[Panther]

Actually it feels like this story was mainly based on discussion in this forum... lazy journalism imo

Particularly as Nikorima played on the left when Green was in the team. It seems like a piece just to stir up the forum interest

 

[tajhay]

100%, funny how a lot of chatter on this forum is coincidentally on the Stuff website a day or 2 later lol.

The journalist in question is a member here, and was last seen here midday today. So no prizes for his SOS connection in that report after reading it on here.

 

[mrblonde]

The journalist in question is a member here, and was last seen here midday today. So no prizes for his SOS connection in that report after reading it on here.

This explains why the term "intellegent, knowledgable and trusted Warriors forum sources indicate" aren't used.

I mean, really, who exactly on here fits that description? If there are any, they should be found out and expelled, tarred and feathered, made to watch a Warrio....oh wait. They obviously do watch the Warriors so might have a pain immunity... So just expel 'em.

Anyway, that's not me, nosir!

 

[NZWarriorsFaithful]

messaged POS on insta and he said he would only chase hughes if kodi was to decline his player option, He also said that kotoni staggs doesn't want to come to NZ so stop dreaming about him coming

 

[Makasene]

Wonder at what point does Nikorima needs to take up his option?

Reading between the lines, do the Warrior see him as a long term option? Hence bringing over his brother to encourage him to take up his option?

 

[NZWarriorsFaithful]

i

Wonder at what point does Nikorima needs to take up his option?

Reading between the lines, do the Warrior see him as a long term option? Hence bringing over his brother to encourage him to take up his option?

if he declines now he is free to talk to other clubs as it is for 2022

 

[Wananga Kingi]

Roache off to the eels. Hope he kills it, way better than Egan and Lawton when fit

 

[shuffle]

Roache off to the eels. Hope he kills it, way better than Egan and Lawton when fit

Better at being injured. And Egan and Lawton get injured a lot!

 

[Lance155]

messaged POS on insta and he said he would only chase hughes if kodi was to decline his player option, He also said that kotoni staggs doesn't want to come to NZ so stop dreaming about him coming

Suprised POS would reveal this info to a child on social media...

 

[john nick]

What role or progression do you see for Turner?

It's just I thought he actually looked threatening in his
Debut an only game .
I sort of remember him being dammn near lethal

Yes I agree .Was very elusive

 

[Fonzie]

What role or progression do you see for Turner?

It's just I thought he actually looked threatening in his
Debut an only game .
I sort of remember him being dammn near lethal

He looked dangerous but he played very wide in a narrow channel, more like a centre than a half

I didn't see any evidence that he could steer a team around, kick long, organise a backline

Not saying he can't do those things, just that he hasn't shown that he can to a first grade level (yet)

 

[JaggedJ]

So that puts us at 29 with an * next to Paasi pending his visa being approved.

 

[Noitall]

Been wondering about the Warriors interest in Jahrome Hughes and how that would work out. They have said the signing would be a replacement for Kodi Nikorima but since negotiations can start as of November 1 with Hughes, that seems long odds that Hughes won’t be picked up by another team by the time that Nikorima decides not to take up his option unless he’s already stated he won’t be taking it up. Also long odds he won’t be keen since his brother is arriving. Saw an article stating Hughes was a priority for the storm. Also are the Nikorima brothers battling for the same position or is Jayden Nikorima chasing CHTs spot?

 

[Five&Last]

Shit move. Should've just re-signed Keighran.

One more spot to fill which will stay open over the pre-season (3rd string hooker/utility role) J. Nikorima, Slade and Kalepo etc. going after it.

 

[Tony Martin]

Shit move. Should've just re-signed Keighran.

One more spot to fill which will stay open over the pre-season (3rd string hooker/utility role) J. Nikorima, Slade and Kalepo etc. going after it.

I think the club just didn’t rate Keighran as a half.
I’m unsure about slade. The club seems to be distancing itself from the hardworking midget types

 

[Uster101]

We went into the season after Shaun Johnson left with no number 7. Blake Green left mid season, and Chanel Harris-Tavita was brought in. Showed he was not up to it, and they are planning next season with Chanel Harris-Tavita and SOS an un proven player as a back up. I guess signing SOS and having Chanel Harris-Tavita the warriors really will be calling out an SOS but no one is going to be able to Save Our Souls ! you need a number 7 who is proven to win the comp!