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	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Morgan Gannon	-
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 26/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Off Contract from 01/11/25: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[sydneywarrior92]

don't really get the CNK hate- renewing him was an easy decision to make. At a time when we've lost hundreds of games of NRL experience in the last 6 months, it's unfathomable to suggest we should be getting rid of another experienced player. In any case if you want to get rid of CNK, you need to have a better alternative. Ponga, Manu aren't coming. TT has promise and is developing nicely and would clearly benefit from having CNK around for a couple more years to learn from if he is indeed our long term FB.

 

[WA Warrior]

don't really get the CNK hate- renewing him was an easy decision to make. At a time when we've lost hundreds of games of NRL experience in the last 6 months, it's unfathomable to suggest we should be getting rid of another experienced player. In any case if you want to get rid of CNK, you need to have a better alternative. Ponga, Manu aren't coming. TT has promise and is developing nicely and would clearly benefit from having CNK around for a couple more years to learn from if he is indeed our long term FB.

I have my worries. Our spine is very limited in attack.
Hopefully the halves can build into a good attacking combo but that is still yet to be seen.
As of right now only Egan and Metcalfs running poses any threat imo.
Taines ready for the 1 jumper imo. If he waits until Charnze leaves he will be 28.
I love Charnze and what I say isn’t out of hate it’s just I believe we should’ve went another route.

 

[Ferdie]

don't really get the CNK hate- renewing him was an easy decision to make. At a time when we've lost hundreds of games of NRL experience in the last 6 months, it's unfathomable to suggest we should be getting rid of another experienced player. In any case if you want to get rid of CNK, you need to have a better alternative. Ponga, Manu aren't coming. TT has promise and is developing nicely and would clearly benefit from having CNK around for a couple more years to learn from if he is indeed our long term FB.

Agreed, we have 6 players in our current squad who primarily cover the back 3 - DWZ, CNK, RTS, Kosi, TT and Harper. + Pompey when required.
Of which CNK, Kosi and Harper were/are all off contract at the end of the year, so signing the best of those 3 (CNK) makes sense.
Even if TT isn't a regular starter, he'll still get lots of game time being the first drop behind 3 guys who are 30+.
Hopefully one of the young guys levels up and is pushing for a start by the end of 2026.

 

[3rdstriker]

don't really get the CNK hate- renewing him was an easy decision to make. At a time when we've lost hundreds of games of NRL experience in the last 6 months, it's unfathomable to suggest we should be getting rid of another experienced player. In any case if you want to get rid of CNK, you need to have a better alternative. Ponga, Manu aren't coming. TT has promise and is developing nicely and would clearly benefit from having CNK around for a couple more years to learn from if he is indeed our long term FB.

CNKs extension is a bit of a must have imo, he bleeds the jersey.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

I think TT takes over at fullback and Charnze becomes Mr Fixit in the backline.

 

[Wah's Up]

I have my worries. Our spine is very limited in attack.
Hopefully the halves can build into a good attacking combo but that is still yet to be seen.
As of right now only Egan and Metcalfs running poses any threat imo.
Taines ready for the 1 jumper imo. If he waits until Charnze leaves he will be 28.
I love Charnze and what I say isn’t out of hate it’s just I believe we should’ve went another route.

I'm pleased that you are not the coach.
May I remind you

Ladder

View the official 2024 NRL ladder, standings, Telstra Premiership ladder, Hostplus Cup ladder, NSW Cup ladder, and more.

www.nrl.com

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I have my worries. Our spine is very limited in attack.
Hopefully the halves can build into a good attacking combo but that is still yet to be seen.
As of right now only Egan and Metcalfs running poses any threat imo.
Taines ready for the 1 jumper imo. If he waits until Charnze leaves he will be 28.
I love Charnze and what I say isn’t out of hate it’s just I believe we should’ve went another route.

I don't disagree with these issues you bring up, but I don't see how getting rid of CNK solves any of them. Remember CNK played an integral part of our attacking shape in 2023 when he was the link man in the SJ-DWZ slingshot move that was so successful that season. So it's not like CNK is completely clueless on attack.

Again if we are going to get rid of CNK, we need counterfactuals. What's the alternative? I think way too many people here are banking on bogus rumors re a marquee back signing that will never happen. Once we all free ourselves of that delusion, it's easy to see why this decision was made.

 

[WA Warrior]

I think TT takes over at fullback and Charnze becomes Mr Fixit in the backline.

Webby come out and said he’s Fullback 100% or close to that this morning.

 

[WA Warrior]

I don't disagree with these issues you bring up, but I don't see how getting rid of CNK solves any of them. Remember CNK played an integral part of our attacking shape in 2023 when he was the link man in the SJ-DWZ slingshot move that was so successful that season. So it's not like CNK is completely clueless on attack.

Again if we are going to get rid of CNK, we need to consider counterfactuals? What's the alternative? I think way too many people here are banking on bogus rumors re a marquee back signing that will never happen. Once we all free ourselves of that delusion, it's easy to see why this decision was made.

Man you could be right and I hope he does now after resigning.
I just think Taine brings a little more attacking threat and he’s done his apprenticeship.
Hey if we all thought the same it would be boring lol.

 

[WA Warrior]

I'm pleased that you are not the coach.
May I remind you

Ladder

View the official 2024 NRL ladder, standings, Telstra Premiership ladder, Hostplus Cup ladder, NSW Cup ladder, and more.

www.nrl.com

I am well aware, boys have had some good wins.
What’s your argument?
Because we are sitting 4th we have no issues with our attack?
Sorry losing your point after your petty barb.

 

[juju]

Leeds have announce Morgan Gannon is leaving them for the NRL at the end of the season

 

[Noitall]

Leeds have announce Morgan Gannon is leaving them for the NRL at the end of the season

Sounds like Brad Arthurs front runner for the new Perth team too. Is it definitely us Gannon is coming to?

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

The CNK resigning is an interesting one.
Personally, I wouldn’t have resigned him but it isn’t the end of the world stuff.

With and eye on the future (2027). What do we (preemptively) need?
We have heaps of cap as well.
A settled halves combo, so resigning either Metcalf and/or TMM. (Or signing Hughes from 2026-28)

Strangely, an alpha prop. By then both JFH and Barnett will probably be on the decline. Similar to Tohu. Vaimauga will need help.

A 13/14. Clark has been exceptional can he keep it up until then? Gannon?

And some dynamic wingers.

By then we would have replaced Capewell and Niukore with Halasima and Laban.
Hopefully Berry and Ali would have settled into their centre roles.

Capewell, Niukore, RTS and DWZ will all probably be gone so we can shoot for the stars without fear of blowing the cap in the future.

 

[Username: Required]

View: https://x.com/johnnyddavidson/status/1915308403699691737?t=9s_R6btzLr21TH9d3nIllA&s=19

 

[Neo]

Billy Moore on who he wants at the Bears. Leka thrown in amongst some big names

“Give me Payne Haas, give me Liam Martin, give me Herbie Farnworth and give me the young edge back rower for the Warriors, Leka Halasima. There’s five.”

 

[Wrighty]

View: https://x.com/johnnyddavidson/status/1915308403699691737?t=9s_R6btzLr21TH9d3nIllA&s=19

Hi I am not skilled enough with computers to enlarge that enough to read it. Does it departing to the NRL or departing to the Warriors

 

[Noitall]

View: https://x.com/johnnyddavidson/status/1915308403699691737?t=9s_R6btzLr21TH9d3nIllA&s=19

Last line mentions living in Australia. Might not be us he’s going to?

 

[Noitall]

Billy Moore on who he wants at the Bears. Leka thrown in amongst some big names

“Give me Payne Haas, give me Liam Martin, give me Herbie Farnworth and give me the young edge back rower for the Warriors, Leka Halasima. There’s five.”

He can fuck right off

 

[Ref]

Last line mentions living in Australia. Might not be us he’s going to?

Probably things NZ is part of Australia.
Easy mistake

 

[Username: Required]

Hi I am not skilled enough with computers to enlarge that enough to read it. Does it departing to the NRL or departing to the Warriors

Leeds Rhinos and Morgan Gannon have confirmed that the 21-year-old will leave AMT Headingley at the end of the current Betfred Super League season after rejecting a substantial contract offer by the club.

Gannon was given his debut for the Rhinos whilst still a teenager back in April 2021 and has gone on to make 59 appearances for the club, including starting in the Good Friday win over Huddersfield Giants.

However, he is due to be out of contract at the end of the season and has informed the club that he intends to move to the NRL from 2026.

Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director Ian Blease commented, “We are extremely disappointed to be losing a young player who the club has put so much time and effort into developing. In particular, Brad and all the coaches have worked with Morgan this year to bring him to a level after missing all of last season. I have been speaking to Morgan and his manager for a number of months now trying to agree a new deal and I have made a substantial offer that represents how highly we regard Morgan and were looking for him to fully commit to the Rhinos after the way the club looked after him last year.

“Before my time here, I know the Rhinos have always had Morgan’s best interests at heart, especially during the period when he was overcoming his concussion issues. However, we do understand the lure of the NRL, especially for young players and that is a significant challenge not just for the Rhinos but also Super League as a whole.

“Professional sport means you have to accept that sometimes things will not always go as you planned however we remain committed to bringing through our young players and rewarding them for their hard work and commitment to build our squad for the future, that has always been the key to success at the Rhinos.

“Morgan is a professional and mature young man and I am sure he will give his all for the Rhinos for the remainder of the season and look to leave the club in the best possible manner,” added Blease.

Gannon, whose father Jim and brother Jacob have both played professionally, said it was a tough decision to make but now that he has decided his future, his sole focus will be on trying to help the Rhinos win silverware in 2025. He commented, “This is a great opportunity for me and one I had to take. I have spent time in Australia with my dad’s family and I know how big the game is over there.

“I would like to thank the Rhinos for everything they have done to support me and the offer they made to me, this move is nothing to do with money, it is something I want to challenge myself with. Leeds is my club and I never had any intention of going to any other Super League club. I am excited about what we can achieve as a group this season and I want to play my part in that.”