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	✔​	✔​
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	✔​	✔​	✔​
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	✔​	✔​
Connor Bowden	U​	U​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Kayliss Fatialofa	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: 28/30
2026 Supplementary: 2/6

2027 Top 30: 20/30
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

 

[Noitall]

I'd take RTS for another year, I wouldn't think he would be chasing big bucks. Should mean DWZ gets the shoulder tap - which I am not against (how did they give him 2 more years? When you look at older wingers in the NRL they are lucky to get 1 year extensions. I think Cappy and crew got that wrong. Perhaps his leadership and perception of being a cult player clouded the judgement).

I think the interest in r360 was all to do with the money? I think he’s on somewhere in the $600k’s somewhere now? I think that figure in the $400k-$500k mark would be fair? Perhaps his value is still at that mark with his previous season and he showed for Samoa he still plays a role about on par with CNK at fullback?

 

[Blain]

I think the interest in r360 was all to do with the money? I think he’s on somewhere in the $600k’s somewhere now? I think that figure in the $400k-$500k mark would be fair? Perhaps his value is still at that mark with his previous season and he showed for Samoa he still plays a role about on par with CNK at fullback?

Well the media say $500k for a winger is at the top range, I think he's a level below that. Would expect $300-$400kish. I don't think he's a money first type of guy. He got signed originally as a centre.

It's a case of who will pay him that coin for 1 year. Not sure any NRL clubs will, possibly Japan Rugby, but you can't play that in Auckland.. I don't think we will be over paying for him if he stays.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Well the media say $500k for a winger is at the top range, I think he's a level below that. Would expect $300-$400kish. I don't think he's a money first type of guy. He got signed originally as a centre.

It's a case of who will pay him that coin for 1 year. Not sure any NRL clubs will, possibly Japan Rugby, but you can't play that in Auckland.. I don't think we will be over paying for him if he stays.

Just a guess on my end, but if we were able to get rid of DWZ for 2027 (I think it's a mutual option) and we're able to resign RTS for 300k, as you say to push the younger players, I think everyone would be reasonably happy.
RTS as a back up to AKP, Kali and Mellars, he'd still likely get 10+ games that year, and will be around for the start of what I'm expecting is our real premiership window - 2027 to 2029.
Would be epic for him to finish up with us as with a premiership.

Players like Leka, EIT, Demi, Laban, Ali and Healey should be pushing that 50-70 game window while I'm hopeful that Fatialofa, Kali, Inch/Jett/who ever could be in that 30-40 game window come business end of 2027. That's a young, exciting team with a few old heads like Fish, Barney, Clark, Egan and RTS.

Exciting times ahead

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I don't think he's a money first type of guy.

Will be interesting, I think RTS was looking at R360 for a big final payday and suspect money will be a factor for him.

 

[tajhay]

Well the media say $500k for a winger is at the top range, I think he's a level below that. Would expect $300-$400kish. I don't think he's a money first type of guy. He got signed originally as a centre.

According to the NRL top 100 paid list earlier this year, he was the highest paid winger in the NRL by a fair margin. Even if he did sign on for another year, it would be interesting to see how the salary cap auditors would accept a 40-50% drop from his current salary. He is not going to get any younger. I would rather we position for some younger players in the backline. That current back 3 of CNK, DWZ, RTS is amongst if not the old back 3 in the NRL. How webby transitions from those 3 to inject some youth/experience is going to be interesting to watch how it unfolds.

 

[Noitall]

According to the NRL top 100 paid list earlier this year, he was the highest paid winger in the NRL by a fair margin. Even if he did sign on for another year, it would be interesting to see how the salary cap auditors would accept a 40-50% drop from his current salary. He is not going to get any younger. I would rather we position for some younger players in the backline. That current back 3 of CNK, DWZ, RTS is amongst if not the old back 3 in the NRL. How webby transitions from those 3 to inject some youth/experience is going to be interesting to watch how it unfolds.

You think we’ve got the players within to take his place or making a play for someone like Murray Taulagi?

 

[CWC]

From Roger’s POV he probably want to weigh up between Japan and us, don’t know how much they will pay him in ‘27 but 300K for final pay is not that great lol, almost half get taxed? Maybe even the Bears might pay him FB money for a year

 

[Noitall]

From Roger’s POV he probably want to weigh up between Japan and us, don’t know how much they will pay him in ‘27 but 300K for final pay is not that great lol, almost half get taxed? Maybe even the Bears might pay him FB money for a year

You would assume they’ve earmarked AKP since they identified him as someone possessing something in speed we lack and getting him? As it stands both wings are likely blocked? That could come into consideration though Warriors have said they’re open to talking to him about an extension I’m pretty sure they’ve said? I believe DWZ deserves to opportunity to redeem himself and get back to his 2023 form but if he were to depart at the end of 2027, would someone like Mellars or Kali be ready?

 

[Blain]

Will be interesting, I think RTS was looking at R360 for a big final payday and suspect money will be a factor for him.

Well that's the thing. If he's lined up for a $2milly deal from 2027, I don't think RTS would uplift his family or move away from them for 1 year, for an extra $100k or so before tax.

 

[Fizurg]

Personally i think RTS played really well on the wing last year and actually got better as the year went on. His value has dropped though. It may be one of the rare instances where with him being settled and happy the team may get him for slight unders.
From all reports he's an amazing guy to have in the squad and there is real value to that. Players like RTS and JFH justify a a percentage of their value in what they do off the field. Stats alone wont back this up

 

[Theking267]

Personally i think RTS played really well on the wing last year and actually got better as the year went on. His value has dropped though. It may be one of the rare instances where with him being settled and happy the team may get him for slight unders.
From all reports he's an amazing guy to have in the squad and there is real value to that. Players like RTS and JFH justify a a percentage of their value in what they do off the field. Stats alone wont back this up

You have to weigh up whether Khan-Pereira would score more tries than 12tries if he played 19 games and whether you can put up with Khan-Pereira high error rate that comes with his high strike rate of tries. When deciding to retain RTS.

 

[Fizurg]

You have to weigh up whether Khan-Pereira would score more tries than 12tries if he played 19 games and whether you can put up with Khan-Pereira high error rate that comes with his high strike rate of tries. When deciding to retain RTS.

Yeah, I'm not as sold on the AKP as others are. Speed is a real advantage however its just one of many useful traits. RTS has never been fast or a great finisher however he ticks a lot of other boxes. AJ will go down in history with arguably the coolest record in the NRL. But he's not getting put on anyone's greatest players list. I wonder if in time he will be looked at more fondly then he is now?

 

[Cces]

Webster stuck with DWZ in 2025 despite 1.5 errors per game, 2024 he was 1.3 & 2023 was also 1.5. AKP has a career average of 1.3. If he's scoring tries regularly and making around 130m pg then Webster won't care too much and as fans we'll probably overlook it as we did with DWZ in 2023

 

[Warriorsfan92]

It’s not just about scoring tries. RTS work out the back is top 3 in the game imo.

He’s 8th for post contact meters in the comp

He’s 5th for run meters

He’s a yardage winger, that can finish very well. His leadership, and chat from his edge is supreme too. Not many tries scored down his edge this year.

AKP is nipping at the heels of first grade, but it’s not RTS spot, it’s dallins. If RTS wants to stay, it’s an absolute no brainer he’s retained.

Not to mention, albeit dubious, he won our player of the year..

 

[Fizurg]

It’s not just about scoring tries. RTS work out the back is top 3 in the game imo.

He’s 8th for post contact meters in the comp

He’s 5th for run meters

He’s a yardage winger, that can finish very well. His leadership, and chat from his edge is supreme too. Not many tries scored down his edge this year.

AKP is nipping at the heels of first grade, but it’s not RTS spot, it’s dallins. If RTS wants to stay, it’s an absolute no brainer he’s retained.

Not to mention, albeit dubious, he won our player of the year..

Going from memory his missed tackle rate is far better than any other winger in the comp and its not like he pads his stats by being so far out of position he doesn't even attempt the tackle like other outside backs can.

 

[Noitall]

It’s not just about scoring tries. RTS work out the back is top 3 in the game imo.

He’s 8th for post contact meters in the comp

He’s 5th for run meters

He’s a yardage winger, that can finish very well. His leadership, and chat from his edge is supreme too. Not many tries scored down his edge this year.

AKP is nipping at the heels of first grade, but it’s not RTS spot, it’s dallins. If RTS wants to stay, it’s an absolute no brainer he’s retained.

Not to mention, albeit dubious, he won our player of the year..

If you consider DWZ’s mutual option for 2027, both are potentially playing for the spot of the experienced winger in the squad? I presume DWZ would be able to negotiate another contract now too having that option for 2027? I think what made DWZ such a weapon in 2023 was his combination with others. He and Berry had something cooking with their kick chase and the loss of Berry to injury hurt DWZ because they really had a connection, also CNK and DWZ struck up a great understanding with CNK playing that extra set of hands from fullback and DWZ scoring a lot of tries from it. While I would take RTS every day, I think DWZ deserves an opportunity with a broken wrist coming into 2025 and those factors of those he had a combination with not staying healthy or form dropping. Webster is defensively minded first and foremost and I think whoever is the stronger in that facet will win out. Mellars looks like there’s a toughness about him

 

[Noitall]

Going from memory his missed tackle rate is far better than any other winger in the comp and its not like he pads his stats by being so far out of position he doesn't even attempt the tackle like other outside backs can.

Getting over to stop Dominic Young with injury was inspirational

 

[Theking267]

Webster stuck with DWZ in 2025 despite 1.5 errors per game, 2024 he was 1.3 & 2023 was also 1.5. AKP has a career average of 1.3. If he's scoring tries regularly and making around 130m pg then Webster won't care too much and as fans we'll probably overlook it as we did with DWZ in 2023

Plus you’ve got to think that Khan-Pereira will be even better with the Warriors. With Brimson being the Titans leader in TA with 13 compared to CHT at the Warriors with 18. A lot of Khan-Pereira tries were just individual efforts where at the Warriors he will be set up for a lot of tries.

 

[Noitall]

Plus you’ve got to think that Khan-Pereira will be even better with the Warriors. With Brimson being the Titans leader in TA with 13 compared to CHT at the Warriors with 18. A lot of Khan-Pereira tries were just individual efforts where at the Warriors he will be set up for a lot of tries.

Which side did he mainly play on there?

 

[Bevosa]

Everyone talks about AKP’s speed meaning tries, and yes, that’ll happen. But Webby might use him a bit differently early on.
If he plays on the Right, his main job could be kick chase. With his speed, he can be brutal chasing kicks, forcing errors and pinning teams inside their own 20. That actually fits our game plan perfectly.
Webster’s system is all about pressure and field position. AKP doesn’t need to score heaps of tries straight away to be effective, if he’s winning the chase and keeping teams stuck deep, he’s doing his job.
The tries will come later. For now, he can be a weapon just by doing the hard stuff well.

Will be interesting to see if he gets to start this year.