Recruitment Warriors Recruitment and Rumour Mill - 2018

[mt.wellington]

Warriors Recruitment and Rumour Mill - 2018
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THIS THREAD IS LOCKED.

ONLY THE VERY BEST NEWS AND RUMOURS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD ARE MOVED HERE SO MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE TO WADE THROUGH PAGES OF DISCUSSION TO GET TO THE GOOD OIL.
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For discussion on recruitment and signing news and rumours go to the following thread...

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/2018-warriors-recruitment-discussion.59779/

 

[mt.wellington]

Homecoming for Hiku and Love-Henry
Richard Becht | Images: www.photosport.nz
Mon 9th October, 04:04PM

Utility Peta Hiku and back rower Matiu Love-Henry are both returning to the Vodafone Warriors after stints overseas.

Hiku (24), named in the Kiwis’ Rugby League World Cup squad last week, has signed for three years after being granted an early release from his contract with the Warrington Wolves in the English Super League.

Taupo-raised Love-Henry, who played 32 NYC games for the Vodafone Junior Warriors in 2014-2015, is coming home after two years with the Brisbane Broncos where he played for the Norths Devils in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup. He has a one-year deal.

“We’re delighted to be able to secure Peta, a player who brings us not only international experience but also a background in both the NRL and the Super League,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“Another benefit is the working relationship he has with Stephen (Kearney) through his time with the Kiwis.

“Matiu didn’t manage to break into the NRL with Brisbane but Stephen was impressed with his development and attitude when he was at the Broncos.”

Hiku is the fourth Kiwi international the Vodafone Warriors have secured for 2018 and beyond, joining Kiwi captain Adam Blair, second rower Tohu Harris Harris and backline utility Gerard Beale along with 2017 Mate Ma’a Tonga international Leivaha Pulu.

In his only NYC season in 2012, Hiku made 23 appearances for the Vodafone Junior Warriors and was named the club’s Vodafone NYC Player of the Year. He spent the next three seasons with Manly, quickly earning his NRL debut and going on to score 28 tries in 60 games while being used at fullback, wing and centre. He moved to Penrith in 2016 before joining Warrington where he scored 10 tries in just 11 appearances.

Making his Test debut in 2014, Hiku was a key contributor to the Kiwis’ Four Nations triumph covering the fullback position for the injured Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

He joins fellow new signings Blair and Beale in the Kiwis at RLWC2017 along with Simon Mannering, Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

PETA HIKU

Date of Birth: December 4, 1992

Birthplace: Gisborne, New Zealand

Junior Club: Manurewa Marlins

Position: Utility back

Height: 1.86m

Weight: 98kg

Rep Honours: 9 Tests for Kiwis (2014-2015), Four Nations (2014)

Previous Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2012), Manly Sea Eagles (2013-2015), Penrith Panthers (2016-2017), Warrington Wolves (2017)

NRL Debut: Manly v Cronulla, Brookvale Oval, April 14, 2013 (Round 6)

NRL Career: 80 appearances 2013-2017:

Manly: 60 appearances (2013-2015)

Penrith: 20 appearances (2016-2017)

NRL Points: 142 (34 tries, 3 goals):

Manly: 118 (28 tries, 3 goals)

Penrith: 24 (6 tries)

Super League Career: 11 appearances for Warrington (2017)

Super League Points: 40 (10 tries)

NYC Career: 23 appearances for Vodafone Junior Warriors (2012)

NYC Points: 24 (6 tries)

MATIU LOVE-HENRY

Date of Birth: October 2, 1995

Birthplace: Rotorua, New Zealand

Junior Club: Taupo Phoenix

Position: Second row

Height: 1.85m

Weight: 105kg

Rep Honours: NZ Residents 18s (2013)

Previous Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2014-2015), Brisbane Broncos (2016-2017), Norths Devils (2016-2017)

NRL Debut: Yet to make debut

NYC Career: 32 appearances for Vodafone Junior Warriors (2014-2015)

NYC Points: 52 (13 tries)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/10/09/homecoming_for_hiku_.af_news.html

 

[tHe_MaC]

How reliable are any of them?

 

[Tedster]

Not sure if its old news - we knew he was leaving but anyways....................

THOMPSON TO UK

Warriors backrower Bodene Thompson looks like he’s headed to England.

Market Watch can reveal Leigh are keen on bringing the 29-year-old to the club.

A former Titan and Tiger, Thompson has more than 130 first grade games to his name with the Centurions in talks to sign him on a two-year-deal.

 

[Inruin]

Mitchel Pearce ...

just saw this

 

[Tony Martin]

Just watched JTS latest blog, he's moved back to NZ and is living with roger

 

[tajhay]

Just watched JTS latest blog, he's moved back to NZ and is living with roger

Hes only back in NZ for the offseason.

 

[warriors_ballboy]

Meanwhile, George said the Warriors were "well positioned", should Cooper Cronk's impending new deal lead to a domino effect across the NRL. The former Storm halfback has decided to continue his career in Sydney, and while it's expected he will sign for the Roosters, he has also been linked with a number of other clubs. Depending on where he ends up, it could mean a merry-go-round of halves talent, and the Warriors could be poised at the carousel.

"We are interested in any quality player that can add value to our roster," said George. "I think we are in a very good position, cap wise, depending on who might become available."

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=11935563

Article states a lot, IRO to coach ISP, down the bottom Cameron has said Warriors are ready to see the dominoe effect when CK signs.

They have the cap space to enter it.

 

[Selector]

Junior Warrior Kenese Kenese has signed a contract extension with the club till the end of 2019.

 

[Hazza]

this is the latest news

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/11/01/_signing_roache_secu.html

 

[Selector]

Gold Coast Titans to grant Agnatius Paasi immediate release on compassionate grounds

Source: https://www.couriermail.com.au/spor...s/news-story/3c8748dadaacb2fb4826386ce9db7bdd

THE Titans are on the hunt for a new front-row weapon following the departure of “The Tongan Torpedo” Agnatius Paasi.

Paasi has requested a release, which will be granted in the coming days, to return to New Zealand on compassionate grounds.

His departure is expected to be confirmed once Paasi can finalise a contract with the Warriors.

The 25-year-old prop played 54 NRL matches for the Titans over three years, but his 2017 season was plagued by a series of shoulder injuries.

In his return from a shoulder reconstruction, Paasi only managed 11 games last season and looked far from the player that dominated in 2016.

Paasi was close to being crowned the player-of-the-tournament at the 2016 Auckland Nines and had a sensational season as the Titans made the play-offs.

Paasi made his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2014 but only played one match for New Zealand before resurrecting his career at the Titans under Neil Henry in 2015.

Paasi’s departure will free up around $300,000 in the Gold Coast’s salary cap for 2018, giving new coach Garth Brennan an opportunity to draft in some fresh blood.

Football manager Anthony Laffranchi will be given an interim recruitment role at the club when COO Tony Mestrov leaves on Friday to take up the CEO role at Greyhounds NSW.

The Titans are unlikely to appoint a new COO until they are under new owners in the coming weeks.

 

[Dixpat]

Paasi now signed

[Signing] Paasi rejoins Vodafone Warriors
Richard Becht | Images: www.photosport.nz
Mon 6th November, 01:45PM

Powerhouse forward Agnatius Paasi is back home after signing a two-year contract with the Vodafone Warriors.

A 2011 NYC premiership winner with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, Paasi has rejoined his first NRL club after making 54 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans over the last three seasons.

He’s the third former Vodafone Warrior to confirm his return to Mount Smart Stadium for next season. The club recently confirmed Kiwi utility back Peta Hiku and back rower Matiu Love-Henry had been signed after playing for the Vodafone Warriors at NYC level earlier in their careers.

“Agnatius became available after being released on compassionate grounds so he and his family could return home,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“We’re excited to be able to add him to our roster. He’s another aggressive forward, just the type Stephen (Kearney) is after as we look to boost our front row resources.”

Paasi is the seventh signing for 2018, one of the others being his Gold Coast team-mate Leivaha Pulu. The others secured have been Tohu Harris Harris (Melbourne), Gerard Beale (Cronulla) and Adam Blair (Brisbane) plus Hiku and Love-Henry.

After his NRL debut for the Vodafone Warriors in 2014, Paasi linked up with the Titans from 2015-2017, playing 18 times in his first season and all 25 in 2016 before injury restricted him to 11 games this year.

He was outstanding at the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park when he helped the Titans to the semi-finals and was named in the team of the tournament.

It was the precursor to an impressive NRL campaign when he scored five tries while averaging 11 runs and 105 metres a game as well as 20 tackles a game. His key statistics were similar in his disrupted 2017 season.

A Mangere East Hawks junior, Paasi attended Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast before joining the Vodafone Warriors. In his only NYC season in 2011, he played 21 games and was used off the bench in the 31-30 golden point grand final win over the North Queensland Cowboys.

He went on to play for the Vulcans (2012-2013) and the Vodafone Warriors (2014) in the New South Wales Cup (now the Intrust Super Premiership) before being signed by the Titans.



AGNATIUS PAASI

Date of Birth: November 30, 1991

Birthplace: Lapaha, Tonga

Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks

Position: Prop/Second Row/Loose Forward

Height: 1.82m

Weight: 111kg

Rep Honours: 1 Test for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2014), Junior Kiwis (2011)

Previous Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2014), Gold Coast Titans (2015-2017)

NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium, July 19, 2014 (Round 19)

NRL Career: 55 appearances 2014-2017:

Vodafone Warriors: 1 appearance (2014)

Gold Coast: 54 appearances (2015-2017)

NRL Points: 28 (7 tries):

Vodafone Warriors: 0

Gold Coast: 28 (7 tries)

NYC Career: 21 appearances for Vodafone Junior Warriors (2011)

NYC Points: 24 (6 tries)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/11/06/_signing_paasi_rejoi.html

To continue discussing new signing news and rumours please go to the following thread...

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/2018-warriors-recruitment-discussion.59779/

 

[Navigator]

EXCLUSIVE: Warriors the dark horse for Keary

Josh Massoud
7Sport / 8:25pm AEDT
Share

The Roosters have offered five-eighth Luke Keary a handsome three-year extension – and are confident of keeping him.

Pearce already causing friction at the Sharks

VIDEO Mitchell Pearce is still a Rooster and still on holidays in the USA, but he's already causing friction at Cronulla, with young recruit Valentine Holmes facing an uncertain future if Pearce is signed by the Sharks.

But 7th tackle understands the New Zealand Warriors have emerged as a threat for his signature, with the Kiwi club keen to partner Shaun Johnson with a more experienced playmaker after losing Kieran Foran to the Bulldogs.


Off-contract at the end of 2018, Keary is currently a free agent and can talk to rival clubs. After a stellar first-up season at Bondi, the Roosters are deep in negotiations to extend his stay until the end of 2021.

But uncertainty surrounding the arrival of Cooper Cronk for the next two seasons has given other clubs a sniff at both current Roosters halves, Keary and Mitchell Pearce.

Could Keary be heading across the ditch? Image: Getty

Pearce’s unhappiness with the lack of warning or consultation about Cronk’s signature is well documented; as is the long line of suitors – Newcastle, Cronulla, Manly and Canberra - poised to pounce should he ask for a release.

But Keary’s situation is less clear. He has become close to Pearce over the past 12 months and would be disappointed to see the incumbent Blues No. 7 depart.

And should Pearce stay, he’d be left to fight to play alongside Cronk and face the real prospect of being pushed back to the bench.

If a release were granted, Pearce would leave immediately. 7th Tackle understands that’s not the case with Keary, with the Warriors looking at him for 2019 and beyond.

Pearce is unhappy at the Roosters. Image: Getty

One way or another, the Aucklanders are keeping a close eye on the fall-out at the Roosters from Cronk’s signing.

New Zealand has already offered veteran Manly playmaker Blake Green a three-year deal – but only on the condition that he gets an early release from the Sea Eagles to join them in 2018.

Green is ready to up-and-leave, but Manly won’t let him go without a satisfactory replacement. They are in the hunt for Pearce but don’t have the same money as other clubs, although back rower Curtis Sironen is a close friend.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/league/...riors-shock-development-mitchell-pearce-saga/

 

[Wellington Warrior]

 

[Wellington Warrior]

Boom....



To continue discussion on these latest developments please go to the following thread...

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/2018-warriors-recruitment-discussion.59779

 

[mt.wellington]

CLUB STATEMENT: Blake Green
Mon 20th November, 04:45PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have today granted five-eighth Blake Green an immediate release from the final year of his contract.

Green, 31, was contracted to the Sea Eagles for the 2018 season after joining the Club this year from the Melbourne Storm.

“The Club has been advised that Blake has received an opportunity to continue his NRL career elsewhere over the next few years and in the interest of Blake and his family’s long-term future, has agreed to release him now,’’ Manly CEO Lyall Gorman said.

“We are comfortable with this decision as Blake is off contract at the end of the 2018 season and we are unsure of the likelihood of his contract being extended past that period.

“By granting his request, it enables Blake and his young family the chance to secure their future and at the same time give our Club the opportunity to go into the market to find the right replacement for him.

“We wish Blake and his family all the best and thank him for his valuable contribution to the Club on and off the field during his time with us.”

https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2017/11/20/statement_blake_gree.html

 

[AlexM]

Nice. We are set for next year.

 

[tajhay]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/warriors-league-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=360&objectid=12058652&ref=rss

St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau will join the Warriors next season.

The Herald understands the 28-year-old Auckland-born front-rower or lock has agreed to return home to take up a three-year deal believed to be worth around $500,000 a season that will keep him at the Warriors until the end of 2021.

The Warriors began discussions with Ah Mau earlier this season and beat out offers from several rival clubs including the Knights, Titans, and Panthers. The Dragons also attempted to re-sign him.

The move will bring the former Junior Warrior back to the club he began his NRL career with. Ah Mau played two games for the Warriors in 2009, before moving to the Cowboys and linking up with the Dragons in 2012.


Ah Mau was initially believed to be keen to sign with a Queensland NRL club, but both he and his wife, Rose, have family in Auckland, which was a big factor in his decision to return to the Warriors.

It's understood Ah Mau this week informed his St George Illawarra teammates that he will depart at the end of the season, ahead of Saturday's top of the table NRL clash with second-placed Penrith at Panthers Stadium.

The Samoan international and former Junior Kiwi has been an outstanding performer off the bench for the competition leaders, who have lost just two games so far this season - against the third-placed Warriors and fourth-ranked Rabbitohs.

The Papatoetoe and Otahuhu junior was one of the Dragons' best in their round seven 20-12 defeat at Mt Smart Stadium last month and has been dynamic as a replacement for starting props Paul Vaughan and James Graham.

Ah Mau's recruitment will ensure the Warriors have depth in the middle forward role with uncertainty over whether 287-game veteran Simon Mannering will play on beyond this season.

His arrival will mean the Warriors playing roster for next year is almost full and the club has little money left to spend after recruiting heavily last year in signing the likes of Tohu Harris Harris, Adam Blair, Blake Green, Peta Hiku and Gerard Beale.