Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

[Makasene]

Can already see blocker, dont give this kid an inch, he will take a mile!

That's a bit too coherent for Blocker.

 

[Noitall]

Crusaders prospect Harry Inch linked with NZ Warriors in NRL move​

Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/cr...riors-in-nrl-move/KRAFRVA7XZD27MRGOZHUQ4P66Y/

One of New Zealand rugby’s brightest and most recognisable young talents has been linked to a code switch with the NZ Warriors in 2026 – leaving his home union “gutted”.
Gifted Tasman playmaker Harry Inch has long been regarded as a future star of the 15-man game from his time at Nelson College where he earned national secondary school selection.

The 19-year-old had been signed to a multi-year contract with the Tasman Mako as well as the NZR development programme.

Tasman CEO Steve Mitchell told the Herald that Inch had “signalled his intent to go and play rugby league” and that everyone at the union was “gutted” to lose a local product like Inch. He also acknowledged that Tasman was a “stepping-stone union” and they’re “not here to stop kids” from following their dreams.

After gaining selection in the Crusaders development programme, Inch had some game time in pre-season, lining up outside veteran pivot James O’Connor against the Blues at Kirwee.

The Crusaders clearly saw huge potential in Inch, who had previously turned down the Warriors. Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall spoke at the start of the year about how pleased they were to have him.

“We had to fight pretty hard to keep him away from the Warriors, who offered him a pretty long-term deal up there. I was just stoked that we could get him in the environment because, man, I see a massive future for him,” said Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall in February.

Inch was regarded by the Crusaders as a long-term prospect at either 10 or 12. It’s not clear yet where he would play in the 13-man code.

New Zealand Warriors head of recruitment Andrew McFadden told the Herald “there’s interest there” but “nothing’s been achieved”, suggesting the move is yet to be finalised.

Reported to be joining Inch in the code switch is his long-time teammate Saumaki Saumaki. The powerful loose forward is thought to be taking his talents to South Sydney next season, joining the Rabbitohs. Saumaki and Inch were in Nelson College’s First XV that finished runners-up to Hamilton Boys’ High School in the 2024 Top Four final. They were both selected for NZ Secondary Schools last year and both turned out for High School Old Boys in the Christchurch club competition in 2025 and the Crusaders U20s.

Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge says the franchise is “disappointed not to retain them” and “wish them all the best” with their futures

Like the look of the one souths got too. Saumaki Saumaki

 

[WHB]

We need a quality center. I don't rate Rocco and he seems to be injury prone now. Ali is potentially a game breaker but also breaks down a lot. Pompey is durable but limited.

Yep,an all out attacking center.
Any Toopi or Willie Tonga clones???

 

[Horriors2013]

I’m absolutely stunned we got Harry Inch. Kid is a gun!! This is a massive get for the club.

Unconfirmed? The article quoted Cappy saying "nothing achieved yet"?

 

[JaggedJ]

Our halves from first grade to Flegg look like a logjam until after next season. Wonder if we'll try him out at fullback first.

How's his speed comparable to other NRL fullbacks? Where would he rank?

 

[El Chuckie]

Do we think he is likely to nab a starting spot?

He's been brought in for his pace, but I can't see him taking too many CNK/DWZ/RTS-style hit ups in sets. If he does start, it'll make for an adjustment to our ball carrier plans.

 

[Wrighty]

2026 recruitment
Confirmed
1) Gannon
2) Linnane
3) AKP

All young players. AKP the oldest at 23. I don't think this is by coincidence, We are a team that is building something.

 

[Five&Last]

Wow what an absolutely pivotal signing Harry Inch is.

Can we somehow pin that news so people don't miss it over the AKP chatter

To get a player of his potential in the halves is unbelievable.

Elite kicking game, elite running game, elite playmaking/passing

Just needs to learn the intricacies of being a half and managing a game (won't be easy).

He has all the makings a future $1m half if he can put it together.

I wonder what the contract looks like, I doubt he would move away from Crusaders pathway for anything less than a development contract with the intention of getting him a first grade game or two at some point next year?

I think this also shows a shift in philosophy on NZ RL halves. The club recognises that NZ just will not ever produce rugby league halves at a junior level (something that he's been discussed since the end of time on this forum). Gone are the days of putting all our eggs in the CHT, Ata Hingano basket. We're looking to Australia (Jack Thompson, Luke Metcalf, Jye Linnane) or looking to NZ rugby union (Harry Inch, Tusa Sogia). The only decent RL junior half we have yet to debut is Tyson Hansen and some would argue he'll develop into more of a lock than a half.

 

[Five&Last]

Like the look of the one souths got too. Saumaki Saumaki

Yup he'll be an NRL player for sure.

Shame we couldn't pick him as well

Will be a very destructive prop

 

[Five&Last]

Unconfirmed? The article quoted Cappy saying "nothing achieved yet"?

Looks like diplomatic talk

The Tasman CEO has publicly wished him the best

Sounds like they've offered him a long term deal by the sounds of the quotes. Could he be top 30 next year potentially? I mean he was in line to debut in Super Rugby next year.

 

[Teets]

Sounds like they've offered him a long term deal by the sounds of the quotes. Could he be top 30 next year potentially? I mean he was in line to debut in Super Rugby next year.

Top 30 for a 19 year old kid who has never played league would be stupid.

Just because he's good at union doesn't gaurantee he'll be any good at league. And if guys like Berry & Crosby are any indication, he'll take a bit longer to develop than the kids who've come up playing both codes.

 

[Five&Last]

Top 30 for a 19 year old kid who has never played league would be stupid.

Just because he's good at union doesn't gaurantee he'll be any good at league. And if guys like Berry & Crosby are any indication, he'll take a bit longer to develop than the kids who've come up playing both codes.

Berry was top 30 by the time he's the age Inch will be next year (Berry was development contract first year out of school then top 30 the year after) and Crosby is nowhere near the same talent level.

Sometime's top 30 is the carrot you have to dangle to attract talent of this calibre. It's not necessarily an indication of how good they are right now. Think of it as an investment more than anything. You have to wonder with quotes about him knocking us back before and us being extremely persistent with chasing him.

Joey Walsh, Mitch Woods, Colby Black were all top 30 halves this year at 18-19 years old despite obviously not being NRL ready yet.

 

[Five&Last]

I was thinking exactly the same thing as I was replying to your post. Why does everyone think all new signings are going into cup first to prove themselves.

All AKP has proved is how to get consistently dropped.

It will be a good battle between him and DWZ over the offseason imo. Hopefully its a wake up call for DWZ that if he ever has a season as diabolical as the one just been, his career is done.

Still think Sio Kali smokes them both.

 

[Wrighty]

All AKP has proved is how to get consistently dropped.

It will be a good battle between him and DWZ over the offseason imo. Hopefully its a wake up call for DWZ that if he ever has a season as diabolical as the one just been, his career is done.

Still think Sio Kali smokes them both.

Take this with a grain of salt that I am a Dallin supporter, but he injured his wrist in pre-season and he looked like he was ginger around it all year. Should be 100% next year.

 

[Ferdie]

If Metcalf, TMM, CHT, Linnane, Boyd, Cleary, Jack Thompson and Inch are all fit at the same time.
Whose playing Prems, NSW Cup and flegg?
Massive log jam.
What a great problem!

 

[Cces]

Take this with a grain of salt that I am a Dallin supporter, but he injured his wrist in pre-season and he looked like he was ginger around it all year. Should be 100% next year.

Blessing in disguise that Tonga have much better options on the Wing

 

[kos]

Blessing in disguise that Tonga have much better options on the Wing

And the Kiwi s

 

[Five&Last]

Take this with a grain of salt that I am a Dallin supporter, but he injured his wrist in pre-season and he looked like he was ginger around it all year. Should be 100% next year.

Dallin's issue is IQ more than anything.

You may well be right and he gets back to career best form. But struggling to see the correlation between a wrist injury and making the wrong defensive read 10 times out of 10.

I think he just missed the defensive wing masterclass trainings Brian To'o took at Penrith

 

[Teets]

Joey Walsh, Mitch Woods, Colby Black were all top 30 halves this year at 18-19 years old despite obviously not being NRL ready yet.

The key difference is they're all proven gun league players (Walsh played both codes) and have been for years.

Plus we already have four halves in our top 30, and Jett would get bumped up before him.

Hiraka Waitai-Haenga is same year & age (beat Inch in the national union final) and almost as hyped but he's having to bide his time.

 

[Wrighty]

Dallin's issue is IQ more than anything.

You may well be right and he gets back to career best form. But struggling to see the correlation between a wrist injury and making the wrong defensive read 10 times out of 10.

I think he just missed the defensive wing masterclass trainings Brian To'o took at Penrith

Maybe you are right but his pace was down too and the wrist yes could affect that.