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, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[Boston Boy]

just had a scan on the racing 92 (french language) website.. couldn't see a mention of him and he wasnt liste in the squad.. Warriors def missing a bit of strike (hard to argue that) so maybe he is coming.. I think it would be great.

With all the Roosters players getting moved on, I can't help but think that if they want J Manu they will get him.
I hope they don't want him or he needs to be in NZ due to compassionate grounds. If you leave France on compassionate grounds to be close to family would your case be stronger if you were based in NZ?

 

[jonesy101]

My concern with Laban is he has awesome size and athletic attributes but lacks aggression. He gets punched straight in the mouth by Canberas Big Red twice and stands there, Ale runs in and has to protect him (💙 Mighty NSW CUP). When he plays D I have noticed a lot of grabbing, or soft wrap tackles, very little aggressive contact. I don't expect him to be SBW but learn from Capewell, Fish or Marata. Look at Halasima and Vaimauga totally different. He is currently too passive to maximise his greatest attributes, which is is size and athleticism. The knock on him is not his ability, its his head space and lack of aggression, some guys just don't have it, maybe he does decent without it but to be elite I believe he at least needs some TRT shots to help him become what we need, otherwise may swell have a smaller guy like Fatialofa who is a much better attacking threat and EIT who is a much fitter tackle bot (EIT, runs lines as well).

It was interesting with that Big Red situation. That Laban didn't flinch was impressive, but even more impressive was the restraint he showed because he no doubt would have copped a decent suspension like Big Red's if he struck back. It's important to have some level-headeness like that in your lineup. At 21 you would expect to see glimpses of the Eli Katoa flair by now if he was that type of player, but he seems more in line to fill a role similar to the one Shawn Blore is performing for the Storm at the moment.

 

[Boston Boy]

It was interesting with that Big Red situation. That Laban didn't flinch was impressive, but even more impressive was the restraint he showed because he no doubt would have copped a decent suspension like Big Red's if he struck back. It's important to have some level-headeness like that in your lineup. At 21 you would expect to see glimpses of the Eli Katoa flair by now if he was that type of player, but he seems more in line to fill a role similar to the one Shawn Blore is performing for the Storm at the moment.

I get you bro, that's very true. I would have hoped he would have pushed him away or something, because Ale and someone else came in swinging and they got 10 as well as Laban (which was crazy) . In a grand final or any final his restraint could be worth a championship. However the problem is it seems to manifest in other parts of his game. Maybe I am being harsh though. I hope the kid does well, he has all the tools.

 

[Theking267]

Both Laban & Fatialofa will be competing to take Capewell’s position in 27. Fatialofa’s advantage is that like Capewell he can play both 2nd row & Centre. Laban’s advantage is that he will be getting more opportunity probably sitting at 19 while Fatialofa will likely be upgrade & sit at 25 or 26 in next years roster.

 

[bomb to vats]

Re-sign Luke and Leka now on long contracts please!

 

[Playdaball]

If I was their manager , I’d sit tight with new teams entering and both players improving big time.
They could make big money and in Luke’s case an opportunity to move back to Australia… if that’s what he ultimately wants to do.

 

[CWC]

I don't think the handshake agreement was Webby to give Luke the key post SJ for him to bail when he gets there lol, hope not anyway

 

[Theking267]

Leka will get the money from Niukore coming off contract in 26. Luke probably doesn’t take unders like SJ did his last 2 years.

 

[Cces]

Niukore will be 30 once his current contract finishes. Seeing as clubs can negotiate with him in November I wouldn't be surprised if he goes a year earlier if the club don't offer him a 2 year extension. If I was the club I'd let him test the market. He'll need to weight up job security vs his current deal. If, he is actually on a front loaded deal then that'll increase the chances of an early exit

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Niukore will be 30 once his current contract finishes. Seeing as clubs can negotiate with him in November I wouldn't be surprised if he goes a year earlier if the club don't offer him a 2 year extension. If I was the club I'd let him test the market. He'll need to weight up job security vs his current deal. If, he is actually on a front loaded deal then that'll increase the chances of an early exit

I would expect Laban to be ready to start by then, he's more of a slow burner, then there is Gannon.

Leka has already passed both Capewell and Niukore for me. I wouldn't think there is a place for Niukore in the front row going forward, I can't see Vaimauga going back to cup to compensate for for him either.

 

[CWC]

Niukore will be 30 once his current contract finishes. Seeing as clubs can negotiate with him in November I wouldn't be surprised if he goes a year earlier if the club don't offer him a 2 year extension. If I was the club I'd let him test the market. He'll need to weight up job security vs his current deal. If, he is actually on a front loaded deal then that'll increase the chances of an early exit

He would still be a handy prop next year especially if the wages are in their 4th year (lowest?), unless we can sign or promote someone for next year

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

He would still be a handy prop next year especially if the wages are in their 4th year (lowest?), unless we can sign or promote someone for next year

Unless he's happy to play cup.

 

[CWC]

Unless he's happy to play cup.

Our bench is probably Healey/TT, Ford, Demi, Marata, Laban is second row, are we thinking of replacing Marata with Afoa, Ale or TSS?

 

[juju]

He would still be a handy prop next year especially if the wages are in their 4th year (lowest?), unless we can sign or promote someone for next year

I could see Perth picking Marata up.
Capewell would also be perfect for them and could even be captain material.

even Te Maire could do a 1 year deal and then go there.

 

[CWC]

I could see Perth picking Marata up.
Capewell would also be perfect for them and could even be captain material.

even Te Maire could do a 1 year deal and then go there.

2027? We better blood TSS and 1-2 more props in the next 18 months. Wonder who or which kiwis are off contract for 2027 on the market

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Our bench is probably Healey/TT, Ford, Demi, Marata, Laban is second row, are we thinking of replacing Marata with Afoa, Ale or TSS?

I personally wouldn't keep bunty here beyond this year, I would however sign Ale on and promote Smith.

Ale and Smith could back up our top four props and you could even add Crosby to that mixer as well, I'm talking 2027.

 

[Cces]

He would still be a handy prop next year especially if the wages are in their 4th year (lowest?), unless we can sign or promote someone for next year

Can't see him not making the 17 in 2026 but from his perspective I could see him looking to secure a multi year deal and that would be easier as a 29 year old. That said, the Bears might sign him in November for '27-29

 

[Cces]

My Canterbury bias is coming out but Felix Fa'atili was impressive when the Jets beat our 💙 Mighty NSW Cup side a month ago. Hasn't featured since though so assume he's injured. His older bro, 23 years old, isn't bad either

View: https://x.com/SnipersClubNRL/status/1919273430911693024?t=6YNTOkbGxHMgpnOYmoLC_A&s=19

 

[chrisnz]

While metcalf has been good to start this year he is 10 games deep don't rush to lock down and try get a deal given the bloke has injury issues that aren't in the rear view just yet also please take into consideration the platform being laid would make many other halfs look better than they currently do !

 

[Riz]

Kayliss could be a Steve Matai type centre for us then move to the back row.later. With his footwork, speed and aggression, he could be shout of starting centre in 2027 with Ali.

I came here to say the same thing. I believe he's a centre at first grade level, a really good one too.