Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
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-​	Player​	2024​	2025​	2026​	2027​	2028​
1	Bunty Afoa	✔	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔	✔
4	The Greatest of All-Time	✔	✔	✔
5	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔	✔
6	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔	✔
7	Addin Fonua-Blake	✔
8	Jackson Ford	✔	✔
9	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Tohu Harris	✔	✔
11	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔	M
12	Shaun Johnson	✔
13	Edward Kosi	✔	✔
14	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔
15	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔
16	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔	✔
17	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔	✔
20	Marcelo Montoya	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔
24	Demitric Sifakula	✔	✔	C
25	Jazz Tevaga	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔
D1	Ben Farr	D
D2	Etuane Fukofuka	D
D3	Patrick Moimoi	D
D4	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D	D
-	Jett Cleary	-	D	D	D
-	James Fisher-Harris	-	✔	✔	✔	✔
-	Kalani Going	-	D
-	Motu Pasikala	-	✔	✔	✔

key: C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 4/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 4/6

2025 Gains: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jett Cleary (Panthers Pathways), Kahu Capper (Roosters Pathways)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (Contract Expired), Shaun Johnson (Retirement)
2025 Off Contract: Nil

 

[SJ2k]

And Faitala Mariner is this prop?

shit my bad i would have sworn he was a prop. Ok I switch sides why tf would we want him.

 

[Billyspleen75]

shit my bad i would have sworn he was a prop. Ok I switch sides why tf would we want him.

7 games at lock, 2 at prop, 2 off the bench, 3 at second row this year.
He's primarily been a back rower but has played in the middle a bunch lately, as a lot of forwards do as they get older.

 

[Panther]

Although not a prop, Young Caleb Tangitau is the type of kid I'd love to see us grab from Union. Would be cheap enough with the NRL incentives included. 6ft 4 110kg and lightning quick. He can take Montz spot. Heaps of forwards I'd like to see in League. But none of them would suit prop? Mostly backrow(Akira Ioane/ Ardie Savea etc. .)Someone more in tune with the nz rugby scene might have a better idea.

Akira would be an outstanding prop! He is one of the few union forwards that I think could transition to league based on his 7s background and explosive playing style. If he was left in union much longer Akira would become he would lose that edge as they try to develop him into more of union style workhorse.

Payne Haas v2.0

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Akira would be an outstanding prop! He is one of the few union forwards that I think could transition to league based on his 7s background and explosive playing style. If he was left in union much longer Akira would become he would lose that edge as they try to develop him into more of union style workhorse.

Payne Haas v2.0

I've mentioned him a few times on here. Got alot of anti akira hate tho lol. I think he's a waste at prop. A wide running backrower would be my choice. Dude is big, And as fast as a back! He's always been my no1 union target for years. As wel as his brother. But i can't see Reiko ever leaving Rugby.

 

[hornbybrown]

Akira would be an outstanding prop! He is one of the few union forwards that I think could transition to league based on his 7s background and explosive playing style. If he was left in union much longer Akira would become he would lose that edge as they try to develop him into more of union style workhorse.

Payne Haas v2.0

There a plenty of whispers in Rugby circles that Akira is a bit of a lazy trainer.

 

[Playdaball]

A thought , won’t happen but what about Dalton Papall’i ?
He comes from a RL background ( Pakuranga Jaguars) and would make a good prop.

 

[Wah's Up]

Essential listening for everyone here. Andrew Webster interviewed by Devlin
It's on Spotify too but I pasted a free link.

Recruitment.. makes it seem like signing a back rower isn't out of the question.

Says Addin's grounds for release are legit. That's good enough for me

"Rugby players have come to me about playing league" more a throw away comment so don't expect a Barrett to sign, but interesting.


https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-i...ndroid_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false

Great interview, thanks Billy. Now we all need to guess Devlins user name on here.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Akira would be an outstanding prop! He is one of the few union forwards that I think could transition to league based on his 7s background and explosive playing style. If he was left in union much longer Akira would become he would lose that edge as they try to develop him into more of union style workhorse.

Payne Haas v2.0

I always thought he was a lazy type of footballer, he has all the attributes but comes across as if he's just going through the motions.

 

[BabylonPink]

Essential listening for everyone here. Andrew Webster interviewed by Devlin
It's on Spotify too but I pasted a free link.

Recruitment.. makes it seem like signing a back rower isn't out of the question.

Says Addin's grounds for release are legit. That's good enough for me

"Rugby players have come to me about playing league" more a throw away comment so don't expect a Barrett to sign, but interesting.


https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-i...ndroid_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false

Needfonzie to interview him again.
Hint.
Hint.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Akira would be an outstanding prop! He is one of the few union forwards that I think could transition to league based on his 7s background and explosive playing style. If he was left in union much longer Akira would become he would lose that edge as they try to develop him into more of union style workhorse.

Payne Haas v2.0

Tevita Pangai Jr 2.0

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Tevita Pangai Jr 2.0

Wouldn't go that far. Akira has more talent than Pangai ever had. The lazy rumours may or may not be true. I'm sure the AB's have strict standards. Being lazy isn't one of them?

 

[Panther]

There a plenty of whispers in Rugby circles that Akira is a bit of a lazy trainer.

A lot of the lazy is the desire for him to stand over more rucks and put his head in mauls.

100% he is a ball runner, that his talent and he is wasted in Union.

 

[Panther]

Tevita Pangai Jr 2.0

Tevita Pangai J

Tevita Pangai Jnr could hit but run like this?

 

[JaggedJ]

AB level players could make more in Japan or Europe than switching to league.

Have to aim lower or get them earlier to be realistic.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Tevita Pangai Jnr could hit but run like this?

How the heck did you do this? I was looking for something like a video or photo for ages!!!! And by mistake clicked the words. Hello! Straight to YouTube! Mind blown! ...My old ass can't keep up with technology

 

[Panther]

How the heck did you do this? I was looking for something like a video or photo for ages!!!! And by mistake clicked the words. Hello! Straight to YouTube! Mind blown! ...My old ass can't keep up with technology

Click here to see a Haas special. The modern elite Prop is no Brick with Eyes.

Can we just sign Akira!

 

[mrblonde]

Aren't we still really in a position with rugby union on both sides of the Tasman like we are with Australian rugby league players? Signing up and coming players who are basically twiddling thumbs/building voodoo dolls waiting for at least one of the guys in front of them at their club to fall over so they can get at least one damn game? Or they've reached Super Rugby level, don't have quite what it takes to be a regular and actually would rather play league if they had the opportunity?

We wouldn't have resigned RTS if he'd had more love from the All Blacks coaching staff, after all.

 

[Falcon]

Essential listening for everyone here. Andrew Webster interviewed by Devlin
It's on Spotify too but I pasted a free link.

Recruitment.. makes it seem like signing a back rower isn't out of the question.

Says Addin's grounds for release are legit. That's good enough for me

"Rugby players have come to me about playing league" more a throw away comment so don't expect a Barrett to sign, but interesting.


https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-i...ndroid_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false

… and Zion to play this year/ ‘he’s an impact player’ - Andrew Webster

 

[Levonsnow😝]

… and Zion to play this year/ ‘he’s an impact player’ - Andrew Webster

Sounds like he'll be on the bench.

 

[Up the guttz]

Another great interview with Webby!

Loved the mention of not panic buying and they would rather leave a spot or two open than just sign for the sake of it. Also only players that add value will be recruited.
Judging by those comments I would be very surprised if we ended up signing RFM. He would be a definition of buying someone just cause they are available and we have a spot open.