Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	✔​
Rocco Berry	✔​
Tanah Boyd	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Freddy Lussick	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​	✔​	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Sio Kali	U​
Braelan Marsh	U​	U​	U​
Motu Pasikala	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

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

2027 Top 30: 21/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[Tookey 2.0]

The fact that Blaize Talagi is being selected over him give you idea how he's viewed in the game imo.

Any decent starting half with CHT experience would back themselves to get picked over Talagi who, while clearly talented, hasn't done jack shit in the league.

I would like to respectfully disagree, sir.

My view is that rugba leeg is a team game, where each piece of the puzzle needs to compliment the other parts in order to complete the whole picture.

CHT is never going to be an elite half, and will never be the go to guy, especially when the main play maker goes down.
Imo he did his job extremely well this year, and if that was the level of half that you get from him, he's providing a more than solid piece of the puzzle. Top defence, a decent kicking game and enough attacking output to warrant his position at 6. I think statistically he was one of the top 5/8ths this year.

If he plays like that moving forward, I think it's going to be hard to displace him, or he will potentially get a gig somewhere else as a starting 6.

While I'm really excited at our halves coming through, if they want CHTs spot they need to earn it and play better than him, which is going to be some feat as CHT was great this year.

For what it's worth, I also think he'd be great utility and see that as where he'll end up, but his pairing with Metcalf last year had them both playing out of our skin.

I think if we had a crystal ball and we could see that CHT playing all of 2026 at half, having 20+ try assists and solid defence again, Webby would take that over the potential of our young guns currently, at least for 2026

 

[Noitall]

I would like to respectfully disagree, sir.

My view is that rugba leeg is a team game, where each piece of the puzzle needs to compliment the other parts in order to complete the whole picture.

CHT is never going to be an elite half, and will never be the go to guy, especially when the main play maker goes down.
Imo he did his job extremely well this year, and if that was the level of half that you get from him, he's providing a more than solid piece of the puzzle. Top defence, a decent kicking game and enough attacking output to warrant his position at 6. I think statistically he was one of the top 5/8ths this year.

If he plays like that moving forward, I think it's going to be hard to displace him, or he will potentially get a gig somewhere else as a starting 6.

While I'm really excited at our halves coming through, if they want CHTs spot they need to earn it and play better than him, which is going to be some feat as CHT was great this year.

For what it's worth, I also think he'd be great utility and see that as where he'll end up, but his pairing with Metcalf last year had them both playing out of our skin.

I think if we had a crystal ball and we could see that CHT playing all of 2026 at half, having 20+ try assists and solid defence again, Webby would take that over the potential of our young guns currently, at least for 2026

If we go into the season with Metcalf missing 10 or so games, do you think Boyd and CHT has what it takes to set our season up?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

If we go into the season with Metcalf missing 10 or so games, do you think Boyd and CHT has what it takes to set our season up?

Not really to be honest.

I think it all depends on the draw, if we have an okay draw and are able to come out of that with 5 or 6 wins I think we'll be sweet, but if it's a tough draw id be quite worried about sitting at 2-8 or something, which is pretty hard for Metcalf to come in and help us win about 13 of those last 15 games or so.

As I was saying before, I think getting the right team is a bit like a puzzle, you need to match the right pieces together and I don't think Tanah and CHTs games match that well, especially with CNK at the back.
In that little puzzle I think CNK would be the biggest issue, and think Taine, Roger, or even one of the younger guys would likely compliment CHT and Tanah's game. We need someone who can offer more attack, as opposed to consistently high meters from the back

 

[Noitall]

Not really to be honest.

I think it all depends on the draw, if we have an okay draw and are able to come out of that with 5 or 6 wins I think we'll be sweet, but if it's a tough draw id be quite worried about sitting at 2-8 or something, which is pretty hard for Metcalf to come in and help us win about 13 of those last 15 games or so.

As I was saying before, I think getting the right team is a bit like a puzzle, you need to match the right pieces together and I don't think Tanah and CHTs games match that well, especially with CNK at the back.
In that little puzzle I think CNK would be the biggest issue, and think Taine, Roger, or even one of the younger guys would likely compliment CHT and Tanah's game. We need someone who can offer more attack, as opposed to consistently high meters from the back

The last couple of weeks and now, it feels like there could be a lot of movement in the offseason, especially with a couple of new teams looking to fill rosters. Lot of players going to market for 2027

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I thought CHT was really good this year.

The one area I thought he was falling a little short in was his ability to break the line. He ran the ball a lot more this season, and I thought he was really good at choosing to do so at the right times. He'd gun for a half-gap and I'd push forward to the edge of the seat, and then he'd be chopped down in a crucial tackle. It happened again and again, he just couldn't seem to break through the tackle with that extra yard of pace.

It is a hard one because I think he distributes well, kicks well, and tackles well. He is committed on the field. His running game might be a strength if we build a more elusive set of backs around him to afford him that extra yard of space.

Personally, I think he'd be a good buy for a few teams. I hope we keep him, but then again we don't know what the alternative is if we don't.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I thought CHT was really good this year.

The one area I thought he was falling a little short in was his ability to break the line. He ran the ball a lot more this season, and I thought he was really good at choosing to do so at the right times. He'd gun for a half-gap and I'd push forward to the edge of the seat, and then he'd be chopped down in a crucial tackle. It happened again and again, he just couldn't seem to break through the tackle with that extra yard of pace.

It is a hard one because I think he distributes well, kicks well, and tackles well. He is committed on the field. His running game might be a strength if we build a more elusive set of backs around him to afford him that extra yard of space.

Personally, I think he'd be a good buy for a few teams. I hope we keep him, but then again we don't know what the alternative is if we don't.

I thought it was his best ever season, thats why I dont see him getting much better, and he is hopeless if he has to lead this team around.

I dont know why he cant play lock?

 

[Warriorsfan92]

I thought it was his best ever season, thats why I dont see him getting much better, and he is hopeless if he has to lead this team around.

I dont know why he cant play lock?

Probably because the dally m lock of the year is playing for us lol

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I thought it was his best ever season, thats why I dont see him getting much better, and he is hopeless if he has to lead this team around.

I dont know why he cant play lock?

This was the point that I was kinda making earlier, there's genuinely about 6 or 7 good, dominant halves in the comp that are able to lead a team around.
If thats the bench mark for our 6, then we're fucked because we almost certainly won't be able to get one who does that. How many 6's are there in the NRL that meet that?

We're due for Lukey Met to come right and have a good few seasons as a dominant half.

 

[WAH MAN]

I would be happy to see Harris Tavita leave. I think this last season was his best by far, but I cant see him getting better than this.

Unless he is willing to transition to 14 but I really dont want to lose Healey. I would be happy to see Hanson given a crack at first grade next year.

Couple more head knocks and Egan's corner would need to throw in the towel. Then Healey would be number one number 9.

 

[Horriors2013]

Our top 30 halves under contract for 2027...

Metcalf
Linnane
Jett

Teams generally carry 4, sometimes 5 if they are more a utility such as TMM.

CHT, Boyd, TMM, Mmmbop, all off contract. 2 will leave - possibly 3 depending on the development of younger halves.

I don't see us bringing in anyone new into the top 30. More likely to sign lower grade Aussie halves to continue developing.

I think Hanson's a stayer. I'd like him or Linnane to start with Luke next year and see how Jett responds. I feel like CHT is actually blocking better prospects at this point. If Luke goes down, we’re going to need an enterprising play-maker to spark our attack. Boyd won't do that.

He'll control the kicking but is not going to test the opposition defence. He's a Robin, not a Batman. Even if we start with TMM and bring Hanson in later, I'd be happier. We need to 'bring it' to teams like Broncos and Dolphins. Even Bulldogs.

CHT brings enthusiasm and effort. But I can't think of one game where he has taken the bull by the horns and won it for us through sheer will. As mentioned, he doesn’t break the line often and he doesn't throw magic passes, deceive defenders that often or outpace them.

Storm is rarely without both Munster and Hughes at the same time, and when they do they lose. But if one is missing, the other has that impact the team needs to dominate the opposition.

Wheras the Broncos, if Mam and Reynolds are out, Walsh pushes the attack and he has speedy 3/4s to set up in Marriner, Karapani, Staggs (who also can light up the attack).

We don't have a gun back 3 or gun centres. We're working on it. But not there yet. So the halves have to be guns and lead the team. That's why IMO we need a gun 5/8 this year. And on top of that, Healey needs more game time. We can't have Egan go off and momentum come to a halt all the time. Even if his distribution is not yet 100%, he makes up for it with go forward. He's a spark. He needs to know that he's our hooker moving forward.

Upping our game includes getting rid of the deadwood. CHt and CNK have been good stop gaps but we want to go next level. I'd definitely start RTS and see what RTS v Taine looks like. If Taine can't bring more than RTS, then we need to move him on. If CNK can't beat RTS' stats then move him on too.

We can't have complacency. Can't keep a FB because he's the safe option. We must be hungry to win the comp. I know Luke and Barney will be. Ford will be. JFH will be. RTS will be.

Just my opinions but I think we have to keep improving. And if CHT and CNK are in FB and 6 most of the year we're going to finish in the bottom half of the top 8 again. And if Egan is not immediately replaced by Healey when he gets tired or goes down injured, it's going to feel old.

For me anyway. Up the Wahs!

 

[Damo]

Couple more head knocks and Egan's corner would need to throw in the towel. Then Healey would be number one number 9.

People say this a lot without any basis.

 

[skinnydippng]

man if i had 18 try assists this season as a half and still wasn’t good enough i’d be pretty sad

 

[Brightman]

People say this a lot without any basis.

I think the biggest issue is the knock on effect it has on the team that has to complete the game with the disruption in the spine, the following weekend when he's ruled out and however much longer it takes Egan to find form after the head knock(s). He has been a liability at times due to being prone to concussion and as brilliant as he can be, his form is fleeting/cut down with imo head knocks..

 

[Warriors55]

I think Hanson's a stayer. I'd like him or Linnane to start with Luke next year and see how Jett responds. I feel like CHT is actually blocking better prospects at this point. If Luke goes down, we’re going to need an enterprising play-maker to spark our attack. Boyd won't do that.

He'll control the kicking but is not going to test the opposition defence. He's a Robin, not a Batman. Even if we start with TMM and bring Hanson in later, I'd be happier. We need to 'bring it' to teams like Broncos and Dolphins. Even Bulldogs.

CHT brings enthusiasm and effort. But I can't think of one game where he has taken the bull by the horns and won it for us through sheer will. As mentioned, he doesn’t break the line often and he doesn't throw magic passes, deceive defenders that often or outpace them.

Storm is rarely without both Munster and Hughes at the same time, and when they do they lose. But if one is missing, the other has that impact the team needs to dominate the opposition.

Wheras the Broncos, if Mam and Reynolds are out, Walsh pushes the attack and he has speedy 3/4s to set up in Marriner, Karapani, Staggs (who also can light up the attack).

We don't have a gun back 3 or gun centres. We're working on it. But not there yet. So the halves have to be guns and lead the team. That's why IMO we need a gun 5/8 this year. And on top of that, Healey needs more game time. We can't have Egan go off and momentum come to a halt all the time. Even if his distribution is not yet 100%, he makes up for it with go forward. He's a spark. He needs to know that he's our hooker moving forward.

Upping our game includes getting rid of the deadwood. CHt and CNK have been good stop gaps but we want to go next level. I'd definitely start RTS and see what RTS v Taine looks like. If Taine can't bring more than RTS, then we need to move him on. If CNK can't beat RTS' stats then move him on too.

We can't have complacency. Can't keep a FB because he's the safe option. We must be hungry to win the comp. I know Luke and Barney will be. Ford will be. JFH will be. RTS will be.

Just my opinions but I think we have to keep improving. And if CHT and CNK are in FB and 6 most of the year we're going to finish in the bottom half of the top 8 again. And if Egan is not immediately replaced by Healey when he gets tired or goes down injured, it's going to feel old.

For me anyway. Up the Wahs!

Good post Horriors.

 

[JaggedJ]

man if i had 18 try assists this season as a half and still wasn’t good enough i’d be pretty sad

Would like to see a breakdown of his try assists. Quite a few would have come from kicks as he was generally our short range kicker .

A try assist is a try assist, but I don't think many of them came from creativity or manipulating defences which is what we really lacked at times in close games.

 

[Buzz Killington]

I think CHT is an okay half... but i really believe he is a hooker. If he has reasonable ball service, then everything about him looks like a 9 for mine. he has good tackle strength and enough tricks to add another dimension in attack. not sure why he has never played there for the warriors.

 

[Five&Last]

6 line breaks the whole year reduces CHT’s opportunities to create. He's one of the best at squaring the line and taking the ball right to the line, but when defences know you're not a threat to actually break the line it’s easier to jam.

I think the lack of kicking game has always hurt his general halves play. He’s got the IQ, if he had even a somewhat decent medium to long kicking game he could manage games at 7 imo. He’s a natural 6 because of this but I think you want more of a running game out of your 6.

I think those two areas are where our younger halves will surpass him by the start of 2027.

I think he still could probably get a starting halves gig somewhere in 2027. I just think we should be aiming higher.

Will be hard to sell him on resigning as a bench utility, but possible who knows.

 

[WAH MAN]

People say this a lot without any basis.

Are people wrong to say this a lot?

 

[Horriors2013]

I think the biggest issue is the knock on effect it has on the team that has to complete the game with the disruption in the spine, the following weekend when he's ruled out and however much longer it takes Egan to find form after the head knock(s). He has been a liability at times due to being prone to concussion and as brilliant as he can be, his form is fleeting/cut down with imo head knocks..

The amount of injury-prone players in the team, we must have the most or at least top 2. It's frustrating. Every game someone goes down.

Radical idea from me: allow bionic body parts in sport. If we can keep players on the park all season long then do it.

 

[Horriors2013]

People say this a lot without any basis.

I think your comment has no basis. It's a pretty obvious statement he's made. Egan gets HIA or other injury at the drop of a hat.

Sam Rapira was a good player, but his size meant he got injured a lot because of sheer extra effort he had to put in to compensate. Happens to most good 'small' players.

Egan's good. But he's doing something wrong to get injured all the time. It's not luck. You'd be better off with a stronger 9 who lasts the season but has a different upside. Healey's that man.