Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
key: T = Team option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 5/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 25/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: Nil
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
 
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Features in here too, Isaac Matalavea Booth.
Couple of familiar names there.
Mia puaavase is an absolute giant. I grew up playing with his farther and uncle- think the Lousi brothers.
I seen on his dad’s Facebook page he’s been given a top 30 spot with the cowboys for next year.
Newton- whares uncle was also in our team and we used to play against his dad dean who was a unit.
Caius faatili was a very highly rated junior in chch- seems to have fallen off the radar a bit- apparently his younger brother goes good too.
I’m pretty happy with the juniors we have coming through tho tbh- they look as good as any- just need to surround them with the right influences which is why we need to be selective with any senior players we bring in.
 
Couple of familiar names there.
Mia puaavase is an absolute giant. I grew up playing with his farther and uncle- think the Lousi brothers.
I seen on his dad’s Facebook page he’s been given a top 30 spot with the cowboys for next year.
Newton- whares uncle was also in our team and we used to play against his dad dean who was a unit.
Caius faatili was a very highly rated junior in chch- seems to have fallen off the radar a bit- apparently his younger brother goes good too.
I’m pretty happy with the juniors we have coming through tho tbh- they look as good as any- just need to surround them with the right influences which is why we need to be selective with any senior players we bring in.


I reckon this guy is someone we should look at. Leo Thompson went to the knights from the raiders, raiders often have good middles that they give up on wanting them to be edge forwards and others could be in front of him there. Played for NZA recently.
 
Someone needs to tell half this forum that we no longer need to take the dregs. I can't believe some of the same old names that are getting thrown around for us to look at - heyzuss!!
Haha yes!!!
I hate seeing the almost daily posts by people still begging for lodge to come back! Cause we done so well when he was a the team. People still think he’s the missing piece to our puzzle.
 
Haha yes!!!
I hate seeing the almost daily posts by people still begging for lodge to come back! Cause we done so well when he was a the team. People still think he’s the missing piece to our puzzle.

To me it is more the acknowledgement of lack of depth

If we were to lose AFB in round 2 for the season it would be a brave bet to say we make the 8
 
Webster strikes me as a guy wbo operates under the radar. Remember he did not have the time to have his own squad so will be strategic in his targets. Not the old Warriors system of panic buying.
.. and the added layer of any potential new recruit being of good character.
 
Just thought I would put this up so we know where we are at the moment.

2024 squad: Adam Pompey (2025), Addin Fonua-Blake (2026), Ali Leiataua (2025), Bunty Afoa (2025), Chanel Harris-Tavita (2025, MO 2026), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (2025), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2025), Demitric Sifakula (2025, CO 2026), Dylan Walker (2025), Edward Kosi (2025), Freddy Lussick (2024), Jackson Ford (2024), Jacob Laban (2024), Jazz Tevaga (2024), Luke Metcalf (2024), Marata Niukore (2026), Marcelo Montoya (2025), Mitchell Barnett (2025), Rocco Berry (2024), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2026), Ronald Volkman (2025), Shaun Johnson (2024), Taine Tuaupiki (2025), Te Maire Martin (2025), Tohu Harris (2024), Tom Ale (2025), Wayde Egan (2025), Zyon Maiu’u (2024)

Development players: Ben Farr (2024), Etuate Fukofuka (2024), Patrick Moimoi (2024), Sanele Aukusitino (2024), Selumiela Halasima (2026), Tanner Stowers-Smith (2024)

2024 gains: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby union), Chanel Harris-Tavita (gap year)

2024 losses: Viliame Vailea (Cowboys), Bayley Sironen (Catalans Dragons), Brayden Wiliame (retired), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Valingi Kepu (released)

Coach: Andrew Webster (2026) 2028 after extension
 
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The fact he’s banned from being near training and the club are willing to pay him not to be anywhere near the joint should be a MASSIVE red flag
You're not wrong. If we were interested in RFM ( and I fucking hope not) I'm sure Webster would of contacted Ciraldo and got the inside info about him.
 
I don't think I've seen anyone mention it on here, but are we having a sneaky look at Jarome Luai?

Connection with Webby - check
Strong Kiwi connections - check
Probable SJ retire in 2024 - maybe

It would look ugly on paper - currently Metcalf and TMM are running 6s, so wouldn't be a perfect match for what we need, but I'm surprised his name hasn't been mentioned at least a little.

Kinda crazy to think we probably have to pay 500k+ for Metcalf, when a 3x premiership and one of the top halves in the game would likely only be an extra 5-600k...
 
I don't think I've seen anyone mention it on here, but are we having a sneaky look at Jarome Luai?

Connection with Webby - check
Strong Kiwi connections - check
Probable SJ retire in 2024 - maybe

It would look ugly on paper - currently Metcalf and TMM are running 6s, so wouldn't be a perfect match for what we need, but I'm surprised his name hasn't been mentioned at least a little.

Kinda crazy to think we probably have to pay 500k+ for Metcalf, when a 3x premiership and one of the top halves in the game would likely only be an extra 5-600k...
No dickheads please..
 
I don't think I've seen anyone mention it on here, but are we having a sneaky look at Jarome Luai?

Connection with Webby - check
Strong Kiwi connections - check
Probable SJ retire in 2024 - maybe

It would look ugly on paper - currently Metcalf and TMM are running 6s, so wouldn't be a perfect match for what we need, but I'm surprised his name hasn't been mentioned at least a little.

Kinda crazy to think we probably have to pay 500k+ for Metcalf, when a 3x premiership and one of the top halves in the game would likely only be an extra 5-600k...
No no no no
 
The fact he’s banned from being near training and the club are willing to pay him not to be anywhere near the joint should be a MASSIVE red flag
He's been banned because he relayed concerns that his Polynesian team mates had with management. As captain of the club, He did what his players asked of him. I don't see a problem with that. Gould's ruling with an iron fist persona wouldn't like his minions speaking up like that.
 
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