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	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
20	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
21	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
22	Adam Pompey	✔
23	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
24	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
25	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
26	Dylan Walker	✔
27	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
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	T
-	Motu Pasikala	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 27/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 27/30
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, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker

---

This thread is solely for Warriors recruitment and retention discussion. Any posts not related to the above will be deleted.

Repeat offenders will have their access to this page limited.

Please be mindful of what you are posting in this thread before clicking the reply button. Zero Tolerance to offtopic chat.

 

[rugged]

The fact they want out in the first place shows their mental head space towards the work required in league.

Or he was a 28 year old keen to experience an oe / different culture. Can't see Manu coming but he is elite and I would do whatever it takes to land him

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Could the warriors go through the front door at Melbourne and offer a decent deal to Sualauvi Faalogo?

He could potentially walk straight into the fullback spot next year for CNK?

It's hard to give up the custodial role of a powerhouse for a perennial shit house

 

[Akkerz]

Re CNK - wasn't he promised / given the full back role when RTS returned from rugby ? I'm happy to be corrected but it was a stupid move if that's what happened

 

[WarriorsForever]

Webby today confirmed DWZ’s injury highlighting he won’t be back before round 6 and that the club has been looking at an outside back “for a while”.

 

[1995 Sufra!]

Could the warriors go through the front door at Melbourne and offer a decent deal to Sualauvi Faalogo?

He could potentially walk straight into the fullback spot next year for CNK?

Bellyache let one of his young guns go!
No chance
Storm will keep doing a Roosters and buy a proven finisher like Warbrick
Or raid Wahs and do a Katoa again
Cuddles Webster is sticking to a few of his players like all his predecessors
I give Cuddles 6 rounds without SJs attack
After that questions will be asked
We all said last year Wahs devoid of attack
Nothings changed
No good having gun forwards with crap backs
Kosi a joke!

 

[1995 Sufra!]

Webby today confirmed DWZ’s injury highlighting he won’t be back before round 6 and that the club has been looking at an outside back “for a while”.

Webby son
So why let Montoya and Setu Tu go!
Left with Kosi
Go figure that out folks

 

[1995 Sufra!]

Re CNK - wasn't he promised / given the full back role when RTS returned from rugby ? I'm happy to be corrected but it was a stupid move if that's what happened

Rog was only a Daily M winner mate

 

[Dantheman]

Webby son
So why let Montoya and Setu Tu go!
Left with Kosi
Go figure that out folks

You would have to think they have someone in their sights, it doesn't make sense otherwise. Maybe someone who approached us about coming home and it's all being worked out with their current club...

 

[1995 Sufra!]

It's hard to give up the custodial role of a powerhouse for a perennial shit house

Yep
Always will be the case
2002 and 2011 teams
Guns all across the park
Was easy to encourage good Aussie players here then
However bit of a myth really
Hoping our pathways programmes will produce 13 top players
For us to win this comp
Look how far Dolphins and Titans how come
I’m off put my slippers on
Have a lie down
Truth hurts
Up the Wahs

 

[CWC]

If Manu is interested it’s a no brained lol, he’s only gone to Japan for a few months he won’t be fat or overweight at their intensity

Ali and Manu, RTS and DWZ are gonna have field days out there

With the number of players we released we can probably afford to chase another top half. I really don’t think we need to buy any more forwards, or just release Marata or Capewell

 

[1995 Sufra!]

If Manu is interested it’s a no brained lol, he’s only gone to Japan for a few months he won’t be fat or overweight at their intensity

Ali and Manu, RTS and DWZ are gonna have field days out there

With the number of players we released we can probably afford to chase another top half. I really don’t think we need to buy any more forwards, or just release Marata or Capewell

Totally agree
Wahs seemed infatuated with buying middle loose or lock forwards
Go buy some attackers mate
Convince them to shift here
Good luck bruv
Up the Wahs

 

[OtautahiEast]

Webby son
So why let Montoya and Setu Tu go!
Left with Kosi
Go figure that out folks

Not to mention letting Afb leave a year early.
Zion leaving & Tohus retirement
Publicly coming out saying they're not chasing Leo Thompson
Publicly coming out and saying no to Dylan Brown..... barnacles
Missing out on Mulitalo
Now people on here saying to sign NAS for 900k, when Tom Hazeltons asking 600k... barnacles imho

 

[1995 Sufra!]

Not to mention letting Afb leave a year early.
Zion leaving & Tohus retirement
Publicly coming out saying they're not chasing Leo Thompson
Publicly coming out and saying no to Dylan Brown..... barnacles
Missing out on Mulitalo
Now people on here saying to sign NAS for 900k, when Tom Hazeltons asking 600k... barnacles imho

Webby you need attackers bruv
Not an oversupply of forwards busting it up!
Let’s hope metcalf doesn’t turn into another shoveler
Go to the line boy
No one else will

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Could the warriors go through the front door at Melbourne and offer a decent deal to Sualauvi Faalogo?

He could potentially walk straight into the fullback spot next year for CNK?

I'd prefer to have a good at Kaeo Weekes. Australian born & bred but has a connection to NZ via his Maori parents. Starched Sua on the outside to score last year in a beautiful run. Can play 6, wing , Centre & FB. Former school boy sprint champ and a lot bigger frame than young Sua.

Wouldn't turn my nose up at either of them tbh.

 

[1995 Sufra!]

I'd prefer to have a good at Kaeo Weekes. Australian born & bred but has a connection to NZ via his Maori parents. Starched Sua on the outside to score last year in a beautiful run. Can play 6, wing , Centre & FB. Former school boy sprint champ and a lot bigger frame than young Sua.

Wouldn't turn my nose up at either of them tbh.

I with ya mate
Remember Brett Webb Lance Hohia Clinton Toopi Vatuvei
Game breakers
Kosi Lussick nah!

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I with ya mate
Remember Brett Webb Lance Hohia Clinton Toopi Vatuvei
Game breakers
Kosi Lussick nah!

I don't mind lussick. He's one of the most aggressive players we have. He's not afraid of contact, He gives as good as he gets. Just not @9. Demitric Vaimauga is the only other player like that. Aggressive. Otherwise, I think our pack is quite soft tbh lol.

Oh, And Clark.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Not to mention letting Afb leave a year early.
Zion leaving & Tohus retirement
Publicly coming out saying they're not chasing Leo Thompson
Publicly coming out and saying no to Dylan Brown..... barnacles
Missing out on Mulitalo
Now people on here saying to sign NAS for 900k, when Tom Hazeltons asking 600k... barnacles imho

In the last couple of years the club has kept a very, very tight ship.

The truth of the matter is that none us actually know what the club has been planning, because they keep it in house. We may have been having a flutter on all of the above and failed to sign them due to the 'overs tax' of coming to NZ, or total rejection. Neither Mulitalo or Brown have been positive about the Warriors in the past.

If we have a policy of not paying overs then about bloody time. If our aim is sustained success then you don't get it by paying overs for franchise stars that don't contribute their worth onfield. I can handle a rough season if we are patiently putting the right chess pieces in the right places for the future.

This is why we have to go all in with the current management and pathways.

The pain will be whether we can attract good value players from Australia to keep us competitive in the meantime. That has obviously been difficult, hence our current back stocks.

 

[1995 Sufra!]

In the last couple of years the club has kept a very, very tight ship.

The truth of the matter is that none us actually know what the club has been planning, because they keep it in house. We may have been having a flutter on all of the above and failed to sign them due to the 'overs tax' of coming to NZ, or total rejection. Neither Mulitalo or Brown have been positive about the Warriors in the past.

If we have a policy of not paying overs then about bloody time. If our aim is sustained success then you don't get it by paying overs for franchise stars that don't contribute their worth onfield. I can handle a rough season if we are patiently putting the right chess pieces in the right places for the future.

This is why we have to go all in with the current management and pathways.

The pain will be whether we can attract good value players from Australia to keep us competitive in the meantime. That has obviously been difficult, hence our current back stocks.

Brandon Smith is another not interested in Warriors
I say find another SJ here
Find another Konnie Hurrell here
They are out there!
Keano Kini came from Northcote Tigers

 

[OtautahiEast]

In the last couple of years the club has kept a very, very tight ship.

The truth of the matter is that none us actually know what the club has been planning, because they keep it in house. We may have been having a flutter on all of the above and failed to sign them due to the 'overs tax' of coming to NZ, or total rejection. Neither Mulitalo or Brown have been positive about the Warriors in the past.

If we have a policy of not paying overs then about bloody time. If our aim is sustained success then you don't get it by paying overs for franchise stars that don't contribute their worth onfield. I can handle a rough season if we are patiently putting the right chess pieces in the right places for the future.

This is why we have to go all in with the current management and pathways.

The pain will be whether we can attract good value players from Australia to keep us competitive in the meantime. That has obviously been difficult, hence our current back stocks.

As for our pathways, talent is definitely not an issue.
Coaching and management of players development is our issue.
I hope I'm proved wrong with the new group of juniors but Im not convinced.

 

[3rdstriker]

I reckon we'll get an outside back announced soon

I Hope so, atm our recruitment has been almost as thin as this thread.