Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum centers on the Warriors' 2025/2026 roster planning, with significant focus on roster adjustments and player roles. Discussions highlight Erin Clark's signing #342 as a key middle-forward addition for defensive grit, though some skepticism about his ideal position persists #343. Backline restructuring dominates the dialogue, particularly Marcelo Montoya's likely departure to the Tigers for family reasons #88#232, prompting debates about shifting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to wing despite concerns over his positional fit #13#240. Fan sentiment emphasizes securing Ali Leiataua's long-term deal #192 and explores Taine Tuaupiki's viability at fullback #50#288.
Controversy arises around Josh Curran's critical exit interview, where users #69 interpret his remarks as unprofessional while acknowledging his on-field value. Recruitment targets like Leo Thompson #108 and development signings such as Sam Healey #202 suggest strategic futureproofing. Forward pack balance remains contentious, with members debating Tohu Harris's reduced role #427, Jackson Ford's utility value #404, and dissatisfaction with Marata Niukore's output relative to salary #86#378. The analysis concludes that cap management and injecting pace into the outside backs are critical priorities moving forward.

🏷️ Tags:

Recruitment Strategy, Player Contracts, Backline Restructuring

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

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

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck



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

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Tyran Wishart is unsigned beyond 2025, storm trying to lock him up long term before nov 1st. Yes injuries happen, but surely the guy dosen’t want to be a backup for the foreseeable future.
Amazing how they tend to keep who they want, Jonah Pezet has looking likely to re sign with some teams chasing him. Could see Wishart go to dragons though where his old man was a star at Illawarra and Tyrans junior team? Sounds very much like Ben Hunt is heading to bulldogs, with JAC heading the other way. Could imagine a few teams having a look at Toby Sexton if it eventuates. Broncos had shown interest in Sexton but with Ezra Mam’s situation, Hunt could be on their radar? Not sure how a Hunt/Reynolds combo would go and would only be for a year or so with their age?
 
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Amazing how they tend to keep who they want, Jonah Pezet has looking likely to re sign with some teams chasing him. Could see Wishart go to dragons though where his old man was a star at Illawarra and Tyrans junior team? Sounds very much like Ben Hunt is heading to bulldogs, with JAC heading the other way. Could imagine a few teams having a look at Toby Sexton if it eventuates. Broncos had shown interest in Sexton but with Ezra Mam’s situation, Hunt could be on their radar? Not sure how a Hunt/Reynolds combo would go and would only be for a year or so with their age?

Now that Billy's dad isn't the coach maybe Bunt can play hooker for 2025 and then replace Reynolds for 2026?
 
Now that Billy's dad isn't the coach maybe Bunt can play hooker for 2025 and then replace Reynolds for 2026?
Things aren’t sounding great on the Ezra Mam front either. Unlicensed, failed drug test and hitting another vehicle could see a worst case scenario of him sacked? There’s been a lot of behavioural issues at broncos in recent times so Maguire could see it worth stamping his mark soon. Apparently Mam has had other issues this season so could be an indicator of his form? Interesting that Roache rumour on here, he fills halves and hooker. These are positions that Ben Hunt fills too
 
Things aren’t sounding great on the Ezra Mam front either. Unlicensed, failed drug test and hitting another vehicle could see a worst case scenario of him sacked? There’s been a lot of behavioural issues at broncos in recent times so Maguire could see it worth stamping his mark soon. Apparently Mam has had other issues this season so could be an indicator of his form? Interesting that Roache rumour on here, he fills halves and hooker. These are positions that Ben Hunt fills too

So what I'm hearing is Ezra to the Wahs? 🤣
 
Remember when Fusitua switched sides with Maumalo, complete reversal in try scoring frequency, fairly sure at least one of them got most tries in the NRL. I’m not overly happy about DWZ resigning, massive defensive liability.
That's how I remember it.
I don't think they ever switched sides - rather it was Hiku that switched from right to left centre from one year to the next. He played inside Fus in his big try scoring year and then inside Ken in his big year - said a lot about his ability to set up the outside man.

That's also how I remember it.
Who would you prefer 😏

Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick.
 
I thought Hiku was the one who swapped sides, not Fus and Ken.

It became a running debate on whether we re-signed Hiku because he'd do something mind-numbingly bad followed by scoring or setting up 2 tries.

I feel like we may sign an experienced versatile centre/wing if we can release someone but otherwise our 2-5 looks fairly set at the moment for 2025.
 
I thought Hiku was the one who swapped sides, not Fus and Ken.

It became a running debate on whether we re-signed Hiku because he'd do something mind-numbingly bad followed by scoring or setting up 2 tries.

I feel like we may sign an experienced versatile centre/wing if we can release someone but otherwise our 2-5 looks fairly set at the moment for 2025.
Used to be an edge of SJ, Tohu, Hiku, Fus and we swapped Tohu and Hiku to the other side. Was weird.
 
I thought Hiku was the one who swapped sides, not Fus and Ken.

It became a running debate on whether we re-signed Hiku because he'd do something mind-numbingly bad followed by scoring or setting up 2 tries.

I feel like we may sign an experienced versatile centre/wing if we can release someone but otherwise our 2-5 looks fairly set at the moment for 2025.
Pretty sure it was Maumalo and Fusitua that switched but could be wrong? Hiku I thought was amazing offensively, but had frailties defensively, a bit like DWZ but man can he set up his wingers. He perfected that flick pass that I really thought Pompey had also in that broncos game where he looked to have set up Montoya twice, but the second pulled back for a jersey grab. Think if we’re talking about signing a Mulitalo or Xavier Savage, we also need to consider where we’re fitting RTS, Tuaupiki and CNK? I can see CNK either retaining fullback or getting centre, Tuaupiki getting fullback or RTS taking Montoya’s wing? Any could be a possibility to take left wing with it vacant though? Probably most unlikely CNK, but he was on the wing before when RTS was fullback
 
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