Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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The forum focuses extensively on the Warriors' 2025/2026 contract situations, recruitment targets, and roster evaluations. Key discussions revolve around Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Tigers #223#230, which fans attribute to backline depth and family considerations, while debating Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential shift to wing. Erin Clark's signing as a middle forward #342 generates mixed reactions about his role conversion from hooker. Notable contract concerns include Bunty Afoa's uncertain future #391 and priority re-signings for young talents like Ali Leiataua. Positional debates feature strong opinions about Tohu Harris' reduced role #427, Mitch Barnett's workload management #401, and Jackson Ford's utility value #402. Recruitment speculation highlights interest in Leo Thompson #393#403 amid salary cap constraints. Critical analyses of departing players emerge, including Josh Curran's criticism of Andrew Webster #51#115932 and Jazz Tevaga's emotional exit #437. Fans consistently urge roster upgrades to address goal-kicking deficiencies and spine depth ahead of 2025.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Contracts, Outside Backs, Forward Recruitment

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9546 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 20s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Jett ClearySS
9Wayde Egan
10James Fisher-Harris
11Jackson Ford
12Leka Halasima
13Morgan Harper
14Chanel Harris-Tavita
15Sam Healey
16Edward Kosi
17Jacob Laban
18Ali Leiataua
19Jye Linnane
20Freddy Lussick
21Te Maire Martin
22Luke Metcalf
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
24Marata Niukore
25Adam Pompey
26Tanner Stowers-Smith
27Taine Tuaupiki
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
29Demitric Vaimauga
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-
-Motu PasikalaT??
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: 27/30
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
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck



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I'd like for Sio Kali to play wing but they seem bent on him playing centre. I think Amituanai looks good to take on the wing position when DWZ is done.

I don't see kosi being the next after RTS, that's why I would want to recruit.
If we didn’t sign from outside the club, could see our backline looking something like this.
Or what I would like to see

Tauapiki
Kali
Moi-Moi
Leiataua
Amituanai
Metcalf
Cleary
Fisher-Harris
Egan
Barnett
Halasima
Laban
Clark

Healey
Ford
Vaimauga
Gannon
Ale

That’s young and exciting with speed
 
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NZWarriors.com

I know we’ve got a few 2nd rowers on the books but Gannon looks to me like a Walker replacement, like Capewell it gives us the ability to go full forward bench with back cover built in
I think if people are expecting Walker or Tohu level of ball playing they will be disappointed (Not saying you are, just saying those two are all time elite ball players with very few if any players as good in the history of the game - Freddy Fittler was better, but not really a forward).

I have been trying to find footage of Gannon passing the ball, there isn't much if any, unfortunately it is all Try scoring.

Gonna have to do this the hard way, will have to watch Leeds games and dig out my old membership on the Leeds forum and Total Rugby league sites. Last time I chatted to those blokes it was about Fusitua....

I trust Cappy but, if he says there is some ball playing.....there is.....and I always find it interesting to read that we follow players in the ESL. Cappy is building a global empire...what a start that guy is.
 
I think if people are expecting Walker or Tohu level of ball playing they will be disappointed (Not saying you are, just saying those two are all time elite ball players with very few if any players as good in the history of the game - Freddy Fittler was better, but not really a forward).

I have been trying to find footage of Gannon passing the ball, there isn't much if any, unfortunately it is all Try scoring.

Gonna have to do this the hard way, will have to watch Leeds games and dig out my old membership on the Leeds forum and Total Rugby league sites. Last time I chatted to those blokes it was about Fusitua....

I trust Cappy but, if he says there is some ball playing.....there is.....and I always find it interesting to read that we follow players in the ESL. Cappy is building a global empire...what a start that guy is.
Probably more a case of if you trust Agar or not as it would have chiefly been his intel.

Curse Sky for giving up the right to the SuperLeague. I loved watching it. Hopefully the NRL will secure something with the English competition soon so we can start watching it again.
 
Gannon is mostly off the bench for leeds, i think people are looking at his height and weight and immediately imagining him as Tohu/Yeo v2.o.. im seeing in some circles, people suggesting him as starting 13, despite Clarke being one of our best lol. let the kid settle, hes at best initially a 14 or rotational player
Seems more in the Sironen mould as opposed to a Walker style #14, although I very much doubt he can cover dummy half like Sironen did
 

I love to see the club throw an offer at Cobbo to play fullback. Hill be a target for the expansion teams surely
That’s very interesting.
He was quietly impressive at 1 against the Bulldogs
Makes sense he signs for a year and goes and plays for PNG
I think he would prob slot into our side at 1 too - doesn’t he have some Auck connections already.
 
That’s very interesting.
He was quietly impressive at 1 against the Bulldogs
Makes sense he signs for a year and goes and plays for PNG
I think he would prob slot into our side at 1 too - doesn’t he have some Auck connections already.
Mrs is from here I think?
 
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