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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Braelan Marsh	-	?	?	?
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Braelan Marsh (Redcliffe Dolphins), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
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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[BangBro's (still banging)]

Im hoping the rumours are wrong but get the feeling the longer there is no news the more likely its bad news

Well, if the signing was on the cards and a big deal was coming and then he got another season ending Injury.

I think the club did the right thing by revising the situation, and if metcalf didn't like that, then he can fuck right off.

Yes hes a good player, but we CANT RISK A HUGE CONTRACT!

why should the club lock themselves down like that, when hes simply not able to play!

I really dont get why you guys are so locked in his signature!?

If the club is smart, metcalf goes to the open market November 1.

A contract like this can fuck your club for years, and they have so much momentum going forward, dont risk it.

There will be another halfback wanting an NRL deal.

 

[Noitall]

Well, if the signing was on the cards and a big deal was coming and then he got another season ending Injury.

I think the club did the right thing by revising the situation, and if metcalf didn't like that, then he can fuck right off.

Yes hes a good player, but we CANT RISK A HUGE CONTRACT!

why should the club lock themselves down like that, when hes simply not able to play!

I really dont get why you guys are so locked in his signature!?

If the club is smart, metcalf goes to the open market November 1.

A contract like this can fuck your club for years, and they have so much momentum going forward, dont risk it.

There will be another halfback wanting an NRL deal.

I definitely agree with the cautious approach and for the club to know what’s appropriate in terms of length of contract and salary, but I don’t hold it against him wanting to return home as a young family man potentially wanting to bring their child up around family. I could only think that would be the driving factor in him departing since he looks, and has said as much that he enjoys it at the club and would like to think he’s appreciative of the resources the club put into him rehabilitating and trying to get on top of injuries. AFB and Walker were let go to return home and will probably continue to be a problem for us until we’ve got NZ players that are home and don’t want to leave. You get the odd one that loves it here and stays on

 

[Dannevegas]

Well, if the signing was on the cards and a big deal was coming and then he got another season ending Injury.

I think the club did the right thing by revising the situation, and if metcalf didn't like that, then he can fuck right off.

Yes hes a good player, but we CANT RISK A HUGE CONTRACT!

why should the club lock themselves down like that, when hes simply not able to play!

I really dont get why you guys are so locked in his signature!?

If the club is smart, metcalf goes to the open market November 1.

A contract like this can fuck your club for years, and they have so much momentum going forward, dont risk it.

There will be another halfback wanting an NRL deal.

We have a 67% winning record with Metcalf over the 3 seasons and 27 games he’s played for us, I think we need to pay him what ever we need to keep him and think we’re in a good place salary cap wise to do so. I think Fish’s contract is stuffing us a lil bit being on 950k.
In saying that I definitely think there’s a high chance he’ll be at either the Dragons or eels next year. Auckland is such a shit place to live and I bet his misses will be in his ear over a move back

 

[Noitall]

We have a 67% winning record with Metcalf over the 3 seasons and 27 games he’s played for us, I think we need to pay him what ever we need to keep him and think we’re in a good place salary cap wise to do so. I think Fish’s contract is stuffing us a lil bit being on 950k.
In saying that I definitely think there’s a high chance he’ll be at either the Dragons or eels next year. Auckland is such a shit place to live and I bet his misses will be in his ear over a move back

27 games out of a potential 72 just in a regular season without even making finals is a lot of time playing without him

 

[sup42]

I would even pay bonuses to the physio medical team if they could pull this off.

There are several problems with this idea (no criticism to the poster it is a valid idea to come up with and in its way original since it is outside of the NZ and Aus ethos for health care delivery, even in privatized health).

Fundamental principles say that if you have hired the right people, they will be expert, professional, and driven to deliver optimal care, if bonuses improve on that performance then you have hired the wrong people at the outset.

What could be tried if you want to throw money at the problem is offering overtime - which means the same high standards are available to the patient for longer.

But there is also an educational part of health care that involves teaching people to take some personal responsibility for managing their conditions themselves in home on their own time. This helps on lots of levels but most of all with getting a buy in to looking after themselves, done well, someone with an injury can come away better informed about diet and sleep etc which can only make them better athletes.

There is a lot more crap I could bore with but I will stop there.

 

[Playdaball]

I’ve heard a rumour that Metcalf has signed for next year and beyond, $900k & apparently the Warriors have clauses in the contract too .

 

[Cces]

27 games out of a potential 72 just in a regular season without even making finals is a lot of time playing without him

He's played 34/76 games since he joined

 

[Naynay]

Well, if the signing was on the cards and a big deal was coming and then he got another season ending Injury.

I think the club did the right thing by revising the situation, and if metcalf didn't like that, then he can fuck right off.

Yes hes a good player, but we CANT RISK A HUGE CONTRACT!

why should the club lock themselves down like that, when hes simply not able to play!

I really dont get why you guys are so locked in his signature!?

If the club is smart, metcalf goes to the open market November 1.

A contract like this can fuck your club for years, and they have so much momentum going forward, dont risk it.

There will be another halfback wanting an NRL deal.

I agree but think the contract is actually kind of irrelevant here only for the fact that his next injury (at least leg related)is likely medical retirement territory for his own good. I would offer whatever with the understanding that injury would probably transition him to an off field role or a return home with some help in moving him to another career.

And it leaves us mostly in the same spot either with boyd or an up and comer

 

[Noitall]

He's played 34/76 games since he joined

So not even half the games he’s managed, we’ve had Barnett missing big portions 2 of the 3 seasons too. Would be happy if Playdaball is on the mark and $900k is the settled amount. Think that’s pretty fair, would be interesting to know contract length and potential clauses

 

[kos]

We have a 67% winning record with Metcalf over the 3 seasons and 27 games he’s played for us, I think we need to pay him what ever we need to keep him and think we’re in a good place salary cap wise to do so. I think Fish’s contract is stuffing us a lil bit being on 950k.
In saying that I definitely think there’s a high chance he’ll be at either the Dragons or eels next year. Auckland is such a shit place to live and I bet his misses will be in his ear over a move back

If they have just had a child the wife will most definitely want to move home to get all the female family support
Not Metcalf it will be his wife

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I’ve heard a rumour that Metcalf has signed for next year and beyond, $900k & apparently the Warriors have clauses in the contract too .

Get out of jail free clauses

Oh well there has to be clauses with a player like him.

 

[Wrighty]

I’ve heard a rumour that Metcalf has signed for next year and beyond, $900k & apparently the Warriors have clauses in the contract too .

Big news. I am surprised we couldn't get him for a lower number, He is already signed for 2026 so be interested in how long this extension is.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

So not even half the games he’s managed, we’ve had Barnett missing big portions 2 of the 3 seasons too. Would be happy if Playdaball is on the mark and $900k is the settled amount. Think that’s pretty fair, would be interesting to know contract length and potential clauses

+ the salary cap is set to increase for the 2027 season when he is off-contract for

 

[CWC]

Didnt we have a rumor of 2 year 800K offer just a week ago? Is this a new source of 900K after counter offers? I believe we will know if he’s extended before his wedding in October

I do wonder if he should play 6 with Boyd 7 so he doesn’t need to goalkick and punt, his latest injury is his kicking leg no?

 

[Noitall]

Didnt we have a rumor of 2 year 800K offer just a week ago? Is this a new source of 900K after counter offers? I believe we will know if he’s extended before his wedding in October

I do wonder if he should play 6 with Boyd 7 so he doesn’t need to goalkick and punt, his latest injury is his kicking leg no?

That injury was a bit of a freak one where Piakura hit him hard but his leg looked to have dug into the turf? I’ve wondered the same but the injury didn’t seem to have come out of kicking. Feel like Boyd sits somewhere in between nsw cup and first grade currently but thought he was a lot more threatening with the games he got and was willing to take the line on and have a run

 

[CWC]

That injury was a bit of a freak one where Piakura hit him hard but his leg looked to have dug into the turf? I’ve wondered the same but the injury didn’t seem to have come out of kicking. Feel like Boyd sits somewhere in between nsw cup and first grade currently but thought he was a lot more threatening with the games he got and was willing to take the line on and have a run

Ya I am wondering if his kicking leg can or should take on all the workload next year coming back from a serious injury. I thought Boyd played really well in the weekend and showed his wheels with that line break. Main issue was red zone attack but was it him or our FB didn’t know when to pass, and CHT did a brain fart kick after his big run, that was 12 points butchered in a tight knock out game

He’s probably like a sexton and he’s got the gel part out of the way and if he has a fresh Egan or Healey, Metcalf and a playmaker fullback like TMM or TT, I am curious what that can do. CHT just doesn’t have it as a 7 or long kicking game

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Metcalf works because he is given the keys to the team, kicking and all. I don’t want him begging for the ball from Boyd.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

What would the clauses be? 20+ games a year = bonus?

 

[Noitall]

Ya I am wondering if his kicking leg can or should take on all the workload next year coming back from a serious injury. I thought Boyd played really well in the weekend and showed his wheels with that line break. Main issue was red zone attack but was it him or our FB didn’t know when to pass, and CHT did a brain fart kick after his big run, that was 12 points butchered in a tight knock out game

He’s probably like a sexton and he’s got the gel part out of the way and if he has a fresh Egan or Healey, Metcalf and a playmaker fullback like TMM or TT, I am curious what that can do. CHT just doesn’t have it as a 7 or long kicking game

Whoever our halfback is, I’d like them to have a 40/20 in their arsenal. Seen with the likes of Burton or Fogarty or Cleary how they can swing a game and turn momentum. Metcalf started in preseason well and made a couple in the season

 

[CWC]

Whoever our halfback is, I’d like them to have a 40/20 in their arsenal. Seen with the likes of Burton or Fogarty or Cleary how they can swing a game and turn momentum. Metcalf started in preseason well and made a couple in the season

Egan or Healey should practice one, keeps their outside back in check too