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: 25/30
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, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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

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[MrFrankWhite]

Females generally want to be near extended family especially around child birth and young child rearing.

Yes support networks are important. What those are made up of are very unique to the individual. Especially in western dominated cultures where massive families and extended families are not the norm.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I think people are forgetting that Metcalfs career was in dire straights before the Warriors invested heavily in retraining his legs.

That is the real reason the Sharks let him go, they (and the Warriors for that matter) knew there were significant risks because he had a well documented history of chronic hamstring tears.

Where Metcalf is now would likely not have happened at any other NRL organization, he was an unproven promising reserve grade half that had been miss managed in terms of someone at the Sharks missing his running gait was causing tears.

The Warriors medicos diagnosed that issue, sent him to the U.S.

He now has his own leg workouts that are twice the training he did before being given a hamstring program.

What do you guys recon that is worth to Metcalf?

I am not talking about being grateful.

For any of us, having a chronic potential career killing chronic illness through our youth, then eventually finding people that get behind you when you break down, people who send you to America to see the best.....what is that worth?

Metcalfs no fool, he has a lot more to keep him here than just liking the lifestyle.

Sup you make many good points, as some have made also about Metcalf going home closer to family etc.

The truth of the matter is, at this point in time none of us know what Metcalf's priorities are. We could win the comp this year, wotj LM deciding he's related us and to return home and get a mil a season there. I don't think id be too mad at that

He does seem like a footy nerd so I'm hoping he can see how good he's had it with us since coming over here, and choses more of that, but at this point in time it's anyone's guess.

For what it's worth, I reckon both Metcalf and Healey will stay for the next few years at least, before determining their next steps.
We're building something special here and I feel that we're going to land a big name before the end of the year.

2 out of 3 years we've been top 4, despite all the talent we lost in the last 6 months. Something special is brewing here

 

[watcher]

I think people are forgetting that Metcalfs career was in dire straights before the Warriors invested heavily in retraining his legs.

That is the real reason the Sharks let him go, they (and the Warriors for that matter) knew there were significant risks because he had a well documented history of chronic hamstring tears.

Where Metcalf is now would likely not have happened at any other NRL organization, he was an unproven promising reserve grade half that had been miss managed in terms of someone at the Sharks missing his running gait was causing tears.

The Warriors medicos diagnosed that issue, sent him to the U.S.

He now has his own leg workouts that are twice the training he did before being given a hamstring program.

What do you guys recon that is worth to Metcalf?

I am not talking about being grateful.

For any of us, having a chronic potential career killing chronic illness through our youth, then eventually finding people that get behind you when you break down, people who send you to America to see the best.....what is that worth?

Metcalfs no fool, he has a lot more to keep him here than just liking the lifestyle.

I am sure he is a decent guy but we dont know who is in his ear. Even the RL may be whispering about Perth. Ever trust those Aussie fuckers.

 

[Cces]

Neal surely comes into NSW cup next year? Salalilo reminds me of Moses Leota in stature

He is moving to Auckland so it could be part of the plan. Will probably begin the year in SG Ball though as Halasima did in 2023

 

[Blain]

Yes support networks are important. What those are made up of are very unique to the individual. Especially in western dominated cultures where massive families and extended families are not the norm.

Yeah this is true, but if you have a $1 million per year salary rolling in it could change the perspective a bit. Would be no issues for her spending a week a month with family in Sydney (I assume) while the Warriors are playing away in Sydney for instance.

There would be benefits of staying at the Warriors, being a tamer media, being out of the spot light of Sydney, playing with a team he clearly enjoys being with. I would think the Perth team coming in could be a potential option for him to chase bigger coin, and have similar to what he has in AKL albeit with a brand new team, who very likely won't be competing to win comps anytime soon.

To go back to Sydney for 2027, his realistic options are probably mid/low teams like the Dragons and Manly. But you never know, maybe the Roosters brown paper bags could come out to snare him.

I think we should keep him, even if it is a million a season. We have the cap space, and is obviously why we aren't chasing big names, just re investing in our stock.

 

[Get them onside ref!]

I am sure he is a decent guy but we dont know who is in his ear. Even the RL may be whispering about Perth. Ever trust those Aussie fuckers.

Never
Money talks
Ask Dylan Brown

 

[CWC]

IMO the worst case scenario is he stays until Jett/Jye etc are ready to rip it in FG, which is in the next 2-3 years anyway. At least a heads up.

TBH from what I've seen he doesn't look like a Walsh type, his partner came with him, had a baby, now getting married in Queenstown, no affairs or drug scandals, our media is gushing over him too (woman's mag apparently?), so it's not like he's not a celebrity here. I think it'd be a d*** move to run away now but I just don't see him as a d*** at the moment.

As for extended families etc, me and wife don't have family in NZ for a decade and it's not an issue, in fact there are bad drama with extended families, and we're Asian, stereotype would say we SHOULD have the entire extended family living upstairs lol. Families are not always the best thing, his wife might not want to hang out with the in-laws, who knows. As long as they get time in AUS and parents can holiday here, and they have good friends and colleagues in NZ who are also parents and a good community that's enough for some people.

Another key factor is Webby, if he leaves the floodgate might open. He's the priority over everything else TBH, work environment culture, and he seems to be keeping certain types of people in the environment

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

TBH from I've seen he doesn't look like a Walsh type, his partner came with him, had a baby, now getting married in Queenstown, no affairs or drug scandals, our media is gushing over him too (woman's mag apparently?), so it's not like he's not a celebrity here.

Have you heard LM talk? That aussie twang has dulled a bit and he's getting a bit of the 'fush and chups' coming through.

He's individually brilliant and also will work more subtly according to what the team needs.

I was on the fence about how much we should be paying him, I've kind of turned a corner where I think it'll doing him a disservice if we don't hit as close to that $1m+ mark as possible.

Another key factor is Webby, if he leaves the floodgate might open. He's the priority over everything else TBH, work environment culture, and he seems to be keeping certain types of people in the environment

Webby is the apex of the pyramid. Dude is a people managing freakazoid. We've struck gold with Webby, we are screwed if he ever leaves.

 

[Noitall]

$600k gulf laid bare as Nicho vs ‘coach’s son’ highlights volatile NRL reality — Crawls

$600k gulf laid bare as Nicho vs ‘coach’s son’ highlights volatile NRL reality — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

Good article for some perspective on what others in his position are paid. Says in here that Metcalf is currently on $500k, probably a guess, but potentially fairly accurate? Moses highest paid at $1.3mil and Cleary and Luai next at $1.2mil. Katoa a steal at $275k, but goes up to $650k next year and Fogarty on $600k. I still like the idea of goals somehow incorporated in his contract being that we want a premiership and a history where injuries have played apart but I think $800k-$850k is where I see him currently

 

[Boston Boy]

I am sure he is a decent guy but we dont know who is in his ear. Even the RL may be whispering about Perth. Ever trust those Aussie fuckers.

He is getting pumped up for a reason, to think the media are randomly pumping him up is fanciful to me. There are probably a couple of clubs who have earmarked him as a marquee signing in a market much bigger than little NZ. That's how I see it.

 

[CWC]

$600k gulf laid bare as Nicho vs ‘coach’s son’ highlights volatile NRL reality — Crawls

$600k gulf laid bare as Nicho vs ‘coach’s son’ highlights volatile NRL reality — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

Good article for some perspective on what others in his position are paid. Says in here that Metcalf is currently on $500k, probably a guess, but potentially fairly accurate? Moses highest paid at $1.3mil and Cleary and Luai next at $1.2mil. Katoa a steal at $275k, but goes up to $650k next year and Fogarty on $600k. I still like the idea of goals somehow incorporated in his contract being that we want a premiership and a history where injuries have played apart but I think $800k-$850k is where I see him currently

It'll be probably just under a million although never discount the crazy clubs that might throw $1.2M at him lol

Sounds like he was on $200K and we paid $500K to get him over from previous articles?

 

[Theking267]

They always try to link it back to Australia it’s why RTS won the Dally M because he was teaching us how to play from his experience at the Roosters. JFH is teaching us how to win because he’s won 4 premierships with the Panthers. Leka’s only playing well because JFH is here otherwise he would be inconsistent

 

[Noitall]

It'll be probably just under a million although never discount the crazy clubs that might throw $1.2M at him lol

Sounds like he was on $200K and we paid $500K to get him over from previous articles?

I think he’s a smart guy and he would know that with the big salary comes big expectations. He likely backs himself but he’s got SJ right there to tell him what comes with earning a million dollars a season, and that’s going to be the case wherever he goes, just look at Nicho Hynes at the criticism he receives for the salary he earns. He seems really happy here and a popular member of the team. He sees that the club seems to be moving in the right direction so I really would be surprised if there’s not an extension coming. I think it needs to be a package extension and they extend CHT too and back the pair of them

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Surely now the priority is Metcalf and Tavita extensions with T S Smith.

Does anyone have any insights on Hanson? Is he ready to debut next season?

 

[sup42]

Sup you make many good points, as some have made also about Metcalf going home closer to family etc.

The truth of the matter is, at this point in time none of us know what Metcalf's priorities are. We could win the comp this year, wotj LM deciding he's related us and to return home and get a mil a season there. I don't think id be too mad at that

He does seem like a footy nerd so I'm hoping he can see how good he's had it with us since coming over here, and choses more of that, but at this point in time it's anyone's guess.

For what it's worth, I reckon both Metcalf and Healey will stay for the next few years at least, before determining their next steps.
We're building something special here and I feel that we're going to land a big name before the end of the year.

2 out of 3 years we've been top 4, despite all the talent we lost in the last 6 months. Something special is brewing here

I always try and counter the flow of opinion when people state the obvious (he is from Australia his family live there) it is easy to type he will go home for those reasons without really looking into the other side of the situation when it comes to a player like this fellah. Forum chat often misses the nuances of individual circumstance and gets sucked into this paradigm of what came before must always be what comes next....

Yes as a general rule it is harder to attract and keep Aussies, but I think it is lazy thinking to assume someone who has had his medical experiences and had his special treatment here, would automatically want to go home....without thinking about what he will be giving up.

And when you consider his relationship with Andrew Webster and the faith he has invested in him, I think Metcalf would want to stay in that bubble of support, belief, planning, and development.

People in all sports (the NRL is no different) will change clubs to play under the best coaches in the sport. Webster has proved and continues to prove he is one of the very best coaches in the NRL. For a student of the game like Metcalf to have that kind of tutelage, and that kind of career mapping is not something he can assume nor rely on finding at another NRL club.

If he goes to the Storm, yes he will be under the best coach in the game, but he will not have the personal relationship with the coach at first nor will he have a guaranteed path to number one spot at the club, he will not have the money, and he will be risking getting injured and worrying about being thrown on the scrap heap the next time his hamstring blows.

So yes, I think it is lazy to apply the generic 'he is an Aussie and will go back to Aussie ' thinking. Especially since that history of Aussies fecking off from here was grounded in a circus of a club that was not a serious long term job opportunity.

I think the travel thing is less of an issue also.

See, the difference between Fish being home sick and Metcalf getting home sick, is that Fish was not flying to NZ every second week as part of work and able to be in his homeland often.

I think the Warriors in the case of this one player are fully entitled to feel they have at least the same chance of retaining this player as the rest of the NRL have luring him away. And that is especially true since the deal breaker won't be cap space because the Warriors have the largest war chest in the NRL.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

They always try to link it back to Australia it’s why RTS won the Dally M because he was teaching us how to play from his experience at the Roosters. JFH is teaching us how to win because he’s won 4 premierships with the Panthers. Leka’s only playing well because JFH is here otherwise he would be inconsistent

Brush the chip off your shoulder.

 

[Get them onside ref!]

He is getting pumped up for a reason, to think the media are randomly pumping him up is fanciful to me. There are probably a couple of clubs who have earmarked him as a marquee signing in a market much bigger than little NZ. That's how I see it.

That word compassionate leave
Will always be there
Find a local SJ asap
Who has a Wahs heart
Prob solved

 

[Cces]

I think people are forgetting that Metcalfs career was in dire straights before the Warriors invested heavily in retraining his legs.

That is the real reason the Sharks let him go, they (and the Warriors for that matter) knew there were significant risks because he had a well documented history of chronic hamstring tears.

Metcalf done an ACL in 2019. When the Warriors signed him in 'Nov '21 had he had chronic hamstring issues prior? Newtown only played 12 games in 2021 due to covid & he appeared 9 times to go along with 6 NRL appearances once NSW Cup got canceled

 

[sup42]

Metcalf done an ACL in 2019. When the Warriors signed him in 'Nov '21 had he had chronic hamstring issues prior? Newtown only played 12 games in 2021 due to covid & he appeared 9 times to go along with 6 NRL appearances once NSW Cup got canceled

I don't have the article to hand, but when he blew his hammy in 2023 it detailed that he had hamstring problems his whole life which is why he needed retraining on how he runs.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Find a local SJ asap
Who has a Wahs heart
Prob solved

Well that is certainly a take.