Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
1	Bunty Afoa	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔
4	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
12	Tohu Harris	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Sio Kali	S
S5	Patrick Moimoi	S
S6	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Daeon Amituanai	T
T2	Jaydee Auloa	T
T3	Kahu Capper	T	T
T4	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
T5	Augustino Filipo	T
T6	Etuane Fukofuka	T
T7	Moala Graham-Taufa	T
T8	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	?
T9	Brandon Norris	T
T10	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?
T10	Jason Salalilo	T
T11	Makaia Taufa	T
T12	Rodney Vea	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract, ? = Wtf is up with Motu Pasikala

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 22/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker

---

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[Mr. Brownstone]

Interesting those that were in that room where it looked like nose beers might be going on have all been or publicly allowed to leave?

Who was in that room again? The Waiheke Dickhead, May, who else?

 

[Defence]

Who was in that room again? The Waiheke Dickhead, May, who else?

Leniu and Whyte I think

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Leniu and Whyte I think

Yeah thought I remembered Whyte… so I guess that theory for May being shown the door is not entirely accurate then. Interesting interview on James Graham’s podcast, he did come across as not fitting in with the Bondi crowd, perhaps he clashed with a few senior players.

 

[Noitall]

Leniu and Whyte I think

Pretty sure it was Zach Dockar Clay? No current contract but was on the fringes. B Smith, who’s been given permission to leave, May, who’s contract was terminated pretty much, and Whyte? Looks like Leniu and Suaali’i too upon looking it up. Thought I was onto something until I considered Leniu

 

[Wrighty]

Hopefully the way they have treated May, Crichton, and to a lesser extent Cheese, can be a lesson to [insert next young gun or superstar] that when Robbo and Uncle Nick say they love you, they are really just trying to get your pants off

Then again money, plus a Ford Ranger for you and a BYD SUV for the missus, talks I suppose lol

Not sure how this is all working out, though. Has Leo Thompson just informed the club that he will sign elsewhere, or is he in his 10-day cooling-off period?

I've seen both floating around, but if it is the latter, I don't see how there is supposedly a new club entering the running every second day. Figured the 10 day wait was because a player has basically already signing with X club, but Y club get a week and change to try flip him back?

It's called silly season for a reason. We will see more soap operas play out in January too.

 

[sup42]

I guess the Jackson Stewart one stings a little because the Roosters have a decent record of getting good outside backs from NZ.

RTS, SKD, and Manu to name some.

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

 

[Wrighty]

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

Fantastic post. You have been missed.

 

[3rdstriker]

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

Welcome back your posts are always full of knowledge.

 

[~Navigator~]

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

Nice to see you again mate.

 

[Riz]

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

As a Chch local, I've been following their programme for a few years now and it's very impressive, churning out very talented young men, not just in League. This is the foundation that I see transferring into the South Island NRL side in years to come, anyone that is ignorant to what is going on down here and doubts that a Christchurch based side can be successful in the NRL, be prepared to be proven wrong.

 

[BigUCE]

Paul Roache has joined the Burleigh bears for the 2025 season, feeder club of the broncos. All the best bro

 

[kos]

A loss really.
However I ll go and watch a couple of Bears games to see how he goes.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Paul Roache has joined the Burleigh bears for the 2025 season, feeder club of the broncos. All the best bro

It makes me happy to see fringe guys get opportunities elsewhere, he got there because of his hard work he churned out for the cup team, good on him.

I hope bunty and kosi finds spots somewhere.

 

[Wrighty]

A loss really.
However I ll go and watch a couple of Bears games to see how he goes.

It was the ethical thing to do to release him. And selfish not to let him go.
In the halves he was well done the pecking order and with Sam Healy arriving he wasn't going to get a look in at hooker.
The emotional maturity of the Warriors and all leaders in NRL franchises is very high. Making decisions to release a player you really want to keep for compassionate reasons, or because he is too far down your pecking order and you need to do what is in the best interests of their career are calls and decisions that can only be successfully made by people with twenty plus years experience and the ability to make career defining decisions on behalf of players and the club's best interests.

 

[Naumaifooty]

What caught my eye is the school.

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.

Someone will try to level the we can't keep them all oxymoron here.

Cliches are just that.

Watch the tournament. St Thomas are the new Melbourne Storm style school boys league system.

As such it makes them unique.

They crushed everyone at schoolboys with three basic sporting elements.

They were fitter than all the other schools.

They were technically better in the wrestle than all of the other schools.

They were smarter in tactical play than other schools.

Thus my Storm reference.

You don't have to believe me, watch them on you tube and pay attention to technical aspects of their game (for purist who have been following the NZ scene for decades they are truly a revelation, if you don't see that then you should look up Batercard cup and Fox because these kids are better than those men).

Therefore their coach must be outstanding and insightful in terms of NRL culture, he would be the first person I would be phoning from Warriors HQ (perhaps they have already obviously people like me do not know the vagaries of this club we follow).

That team was so in tune that I would have tried to sign 100% of the players and worked out the details later.

Why?

Because after a century of Rugby league they are the first School boy outfit in this country to display fully professional and drilled RL science.

One hundred years.

First to win on fitness and tackle technique, first to use repeat sets comfortably like adults. And they came from nowhere. Who knew a school of nobodies using sports science would destroy all the usual suspects?

Of course the Roosters went for whomever they could get.

Yet we moan about signings year upon year and wonder why they happen, the duds I mean. Watch Money ball, and Air, look to the classic scenes in those movies when the scouts are telling the managers why this player has no game sense or this other player has club house issues.

Problem with our game starts with scouts, the same ones who brought us Vatuvei as the highest paid player (Manu was great, but a Winger should never be your highest in a Salary cap, and at another NRL club Manu would have had a hot housing in NRL defence this club failed him at) or Hurrell as the so obviously warrior esque fat boy take the piss type.

McFadden then is our best hope from here.

On point

 

[tyrael]

Are the Warriors HQ actually looking to fill any spots for 2025 anymore? Or is it 2026 and beyond only.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Are the Warriors HQ actually looking to fill any spots for 2025 anymore? Or is it 2026 and beyond only.

My guess is that we have a bit of coin for next year and the ability to move on/pay out a contract if something exciting pops up in those first 5 rounds or so.

But I'd be expecting this will likely be our team for 2025 moving forward

 

[Warriorsfan92]

2025 settled except one spot from what I’ve heard.

 

[Inruin]

Regarding St Thomas. A word of caution. While they are top of the pops it would be a mistake to focus more closely on their players to the detriment of missing others. Need to be able to assess individual players rather than how someone performs in a well coached high performing team. Let's not forget the number of players that have looked good in a Melbourne Storm system only to be signed by another club that's left scratching their head when they don't quite work out as well in their new team.

 

[Worried2Death]

Regarding St Thomas. A word of caution. While they are top of the pops it would be a mistake to focus more closely on their players to the detriment of missing others. Need to be able to assess individual players rather than how someone performs in a well coached high performing team. Let's not forget the number of players that have looked good in a Melbourne Storm system only to be signed by another club that's left scratching their head when they don't quite work out as well in their new team.

That can be put down to environment. As we know, Cantabs don't suffer imposter syndrome, they inherently know Aucklanders are the imposters, which is why this new franchise will be the best rivalry since Blues v Crusaders back when anyone cared about Super Rugby.