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	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
29	Dylan Walker	✔
30	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kalani Going	S
S2	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	T
T9	Brandon Norris	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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
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, Kalani Going (S), Tanner Stowers-Smith (S), Demitric Vaimauga (C)

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[Noitall]

In a hypothetical situation, if we were to get Briton Nikora as a member mentioned of our pursuit of him, would we need another front rower? Niukore was obviously set to play there this year but had to switch back to the second row when injuries occurred? If we got Nikora that would make him perhaps able to stay in the front row permanently with Capewell on the other side and Laban and Halasima hot on their heels?

 

[cock_o]

In a hypothetical situation, if we were to get Briton Nikora as a member mentioned of our pursuit of him, would we need another front rower? Niukore was obviously set to play there this year but had to switch back to the second row when injuries occurred? If we got Nikora that would make him perhaps able to stay in the front row permanently with Capewell on the other side and Laban and Halasima hot on their heels?

I think if we did sign Briton Nikora then that would mean Niukore could play only as a middle.
Middles would be:

James Fisher-Harris
Mitchell Barnett
Marata Niukore
Demitric Sifakula
Tom Ale
Zyon Maiu’u

Tohu Harris
Dylan Walker
Erin Clark

Also that's once Bunty leaves.

 

[Noitall]

I think if we did sign Briton Nikora then that would mean Niukore could play only as a middle.
Middles would be:

James Fisher-Harris
Mitchell Barnett
Marata Niukore
Demitric Sifakula
Tom Ale
Zyon Maiu’u

Tohu Harris
Dylan Walker
Erin Clark

Also that's once Bunty leaves.

Although another body shape like Willison would be handy, or another imposing forward like Thompson or Whyte, we’re probably set if we got Nikora? Halves is the area in need most of that’s the case

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Sorry guys I thought I put this in the General Recruitment thread but put it in the Warriors recruitment thread
Apology and hope I don’t get Sup42 ed

The dreaded second account!

 

[CWC]

Could replace Walker and Tohu with Thompson etc for 2026, Barney or Clark to lock

Bring Nathan home, quadruple premierships + 1st premiership for the Warriors to become a national icon and statues and stadiums named after you, winning it with his younger brother next to him

“From ball boy to legend, the story of the Clearys”

 

[Wrighty]

Shaun Stevenson not named for end of year tour for All Blacks

Roigard returns, Perenara retained as All Blacks make one change for northern tour

Scott Robertson has resisted the urge for major changes to end 2024.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Aman 2.0]

Have we actually signed anyone yet or no one of note wants to come?

Plenty in the kitty and no noise.

 

[Wrighty]

I think CNK might well play full back or there will be a log jam at centre of first grade ready players who should all be playing.

I think he might well go CNK at full back with Taine as back up full back.

Centres Pompey/Ali/Rocco and if we need a 4th then CNK goes centre with Taine or RTS to full back.

If they really want CNK to play centre then I think they need to bite the bullet and release Rocco. Would keep Ali as he is the future and Pompey offers goal kicking which we badly need.

 

[Damo]

Have we actually signed anyone yet or no one of note wants to come?

Plenty in the kitty and no noise.

I doubt there is much in the kitty, we've pretty much filled our top 30.

 

[Aman 2.0]

I doubt there is much in the kitty, we've pretty much filled our top 30.

We had AFBs (JFH didn’t take all of it), SJs, Montoyas and tevangas salary’s.

Surely that’s not all gone on Clarke and Healy.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Shaun Stevenson not named for end of year tour for All Blacks

Roigard returns, Perenara retained as All Blacks make one change for northern tour

Scott Robertson has resisted the urge for major changes to end 2024.

www.nzherald.co.nz

He must be shit!

 

[cock_o]

We had AFBs (JFH didn’t take all of it), SJs, Montoyas and tevangas salary’s.

Surely that’s not all gone on Clarke and Healy.

Plus that new guy Demitric Vaimauga

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Plus that new guy Demitric Vaimauga

Not sure if you're joking. I guess you are. But just incase, that is Demeitric Sifakula. Just changed his last name.

 

[Makasene]

I dunno why but my gut keeps telling me, Nate wins 4 straight, why not a release to the club he grew up supporting? Kid loved a challenge. Speaking on behalf of whoever said something about dreams

I don't think you will ever see Nathan Cleary here.

I would not rule out though getting Ivan Cleary who surely must have a desire to coach Jett to success as well...

There has been a lot of talk too that Nathan is keen on playing in England with his mrs there. I don't think it is that far fetched that say in 3 years time Nathan (with nearly 250 games under his belt) goes to England and Ivan looks to coach Jett (wherever that is). Jett would be 22, that is young for a halfback.

 

[Makasene]

Just spoke to my mate from QLD about this guy and he knows of 2 other lads as well that we've signed for the Jersey Flegg side next year. Apparently all very talented boys who have all spent time in the Melbourne Storm system under the Sunshine Coast Falcons (feeder club).

Jackson Kite - tall, strong back rower with great offload and good first contact. Runs a great line. Can also play in the front row by the looks of his highlights.

James Marriott - halfback who organises a team really well and is also a great in-play kicker. Has a great passing game/passing selection and is also a really good goal kicker.

Saxon Day - big front rower who is smart but also runs hard. Gets through a heap of work and is not afraid of the tough stuff through the middle. Plays long minutes too.

Hopefully they can add a bit to our Flegg side in 2025 who didn't perform too well this year.

This is one of the best posts I've ever read on here.

It is laying out the plan to perfection. We are clearly not solely focused on producing NZ talent. It hamstrings us to do that. If Aus clubs are going to come to NZ and pick young kiwis then we are bloody stupid not to go and do it too.

 

[JaggedJ]

Always good to see us trying to recruit outside Auckland.

All it takes is for 1-2 to hit and we start looking like a more viable option.

Sadly there's always going to be the go home factor, but get them in early, make the place feel like home, and they may be willing to stay longer than the "I need an opportunity to play so I can get a contract back in Aus" crowd.

 

[CWC]

Have we actually signed anyone yet or no one of note wants to come?

Plenty in the kitty and no noise.

Illegal to make noise until Nov 1st lol

 

[Muddogz]

We had AFBs (JFH didn’t take all of it), SJs, Montoyas and tevangas salary’s.

Surely that’s not all gone on Clarke and Healy.

Egan was resigned when he was in great form and a position with not a lot of supply in the market. He would have got a decent upgrade.

There might be a bit left over with SJ retiring quite late in the year, but I don’t think there would be a huge amount in the kitty.

 

[Noitall]

Egan was resigned when he was in great form and a position with not a lot of supply in the market. He would have got a decent upgrade.

There might be a bit left over with SJ retiring quite late in the year, but I don’t think there would be a huge amount in the kitty.

SJ had a $700k salary on the table? Club still haven’t announced who are departing. There could be more than we know about being shopped?

 

[CWC]

So we know
SJ retiring
Jazz money to Clark
Monty $ to Healey?
JFH earns less than AFB
Ford and MTG rumored to be moved on

We definitely have the $ for 1 elite or 2 solid depth players IMO

Wonder Nikora's in talk for 2025 (like Capewell situ last yr) or 2026. We did give AFB to them, but they're the prickly Sharks.