Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
​

-​	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

 

[Tragic]

Listed at the same weight as Manu Vatuvei

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeG6mX92LpE

Typical kiwi league player, looks for the collision not the space. Lots to like in that reel though.

 

[Spence]

Absolutely love his speech in the video on the Warriors instagram page, he stood up and addressed the team and said “there’s only one reason I’m playing on, that’s to win a title with you boys”. Will go down as one of the Warriors best, if not the best by the time he hangs his boots up.

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0ajrJjPzzZ/

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Typical kiwi league player, looks for the collision not the space. Lots to like in that reel though.

Likely due to him being 112 kgs and use to being one of the bigger kids in his age group. I like some of his defensive efforts in the highlights but you need to watch few games to get a gage on how he is defensively. With our back 3 used to get us so much yardage (DWZ and Montoya both averaged over 150m per game) I could see him getting a go. Be nice if we had a real speedster on our books though.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Typical kiwi league player, looks for the collision not the space. Lots to like in that reel though.

Would make a good backrow experiment with his size. Seen him get burned on the outside a few times this year. But would have good speed for a forward.

 

[Ref]

Would make a good backrow experiment with his size. Seen him get burned on the outside a few times this year. But would have good speed for a forward.

Being a union covert who was an outside back I suppose that’s why he plays there for us and there is plenty to like. But he could be devastating as a second row or middle.

 

[Warriors4eva95]

Prob just waiting for the 10 day cooling off period to finish before announcing

If that is the case we have another 3-4 days to wait since news broke 6 days ago

 

[Beastmode]

If we don’t get some porkies in the pack we’re not gonna compete comes finals football

This season proved size does matter when everything is on the line.

It boggles my wind how that we can’t find any fatties to fill the void

 

[run_it_str8_again]

If we don’t get some porkies in the pack we’re not gonna compete comes finals football

This season proved size does matter when everything is on the line.

It boggles my wind how that we can’t find any fatties to fill the void

I thought the Broncos speed game in the prelim was a good approach. Could we have Niukore and Barnett sized props and compete at a higher pace or is it necessary to have the muscle or size ? Seems simply who can win the tackle and dominate ruck speed wins .

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I thought the Broncos speed game in the prelim was a good approach. Could we have Niukore and Barnett sized props and compete at a higher pace or is it necessary to have the muscle or size ? Seems simply who can win the tackle and dominate ruck speed wins .

I like the idea of Nuikore & Barnett as our props. I'd still like to have a big bastard that can come off the bench & cause a bit of havoc, Soften up opposing packs before our higher pace props return. Especially when we start getting beaten up because we're tired & fatigue sets in.
Our backrow is quite small too. Having to absorb the impact of these larger faster forward packs like the Broncos, Storm & Panthers takes it toll.

 

[mrblonde]

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0ajrJjPzzZ/

Anyone else think he'd make a really good trainer/assistant coach when his playing days are done?
Not that I'm pushing the current boys towards the door!

 

[Brightman]

I thought the Broncos speed game in the prelim was a good approach. Could we have Niukore and Barnett sized props and compete at a higher pace or is it necessary to have the muscle or size ? Seems simply who can win the tackle and dominate ruck speed wins .

I'm pretty sure Father Time had a part to play here..

 

[Up the guttz]

I thought the Broncos speed game in the prelim was a good approach. Could we have Niukore and Barnett sized props and compete at a higher pace or is it necessary to have the muscle or size ? Seems simply who can win the tackle and dominate ruck speed wins .

Yeah it’s really how you play it. With a smaller pack you need the offloads to generate ruck speed, which we could do.
The issue I had with our pack last year was against the larger packs, they seemed to easily roll up the field with quick PTB. Not sure if that’s purely a size issue or technique??

 

[Damo]

Yeah it’s really how you play it. With a smaller pack you need the offloads to generate ruck speed, which we could do.
The issue I had with our pack last year was against the larger packs, they seemed to easily roll up the field with quick PTB. Not sure if that’s purely a size issue or technique??

It is an interesting discussion, I compare our pack to Penriths and they are very similar in heights across the board but overall we are slightly heavier (mainly due to AFB and Tohu) which leads me to believe it could be a technique issue.

 

[Ozwarrior]

Isaiah Papali’i among stars who could become collateral damage in race for Addin Fonua-Blake | Daily Telegraph​

Wests Tigers star Isaiah Papali’i is at risk of becoming collateral damage as the hunt for Sydney-bound Warriors wrecking ball Addin Fonua-Blake gets serious.
It is understood the Warriors will be seeking a top-line player as part of a potential trade deal in return for granting Fonua-Blake an early release so he can join a new NRL club in 2025.

The game has been awash with rumours in recent days that the names heading the Warriors’ hit list include Papali’i and Tigers teammate Stefano Utoikamanu, along with Canterbury’s Viliame Kikau and St George Illawarra’s Jaydn Su’A.

Of those players, former Warrior Papali’i seems to be the one getting the most attention, which is probably due to the fact he appears the most likely player on this list that both parties would agree on.

There is next to no chance the Bulldogs would even contemplate letting Kikau go, while the Tigers would be crazy to surrender Utoikamanu at this point of his career.

Utoikamanu, 23, and his partner are also expecting their second baby, and sources have indicated that they have absolutely no desire to leave Sydney.

Addin Fonua-Blake is likely to spark a player-trade shootout as negotiations with desperate Sydney clubs get serious. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Su’A could be a good fit but it would also depend on his desire to move to New Zealand.

Papali’i has also indicated he wants to stay living in Sydney where he has set up a happy off-field life with his partner, Elle Temu, who is a New Zealand netballer who moved to Australia to be with Papali’i.

While Papali’i has been told by the Tigers that the club is not shopping him around, everyone involved also understands how quickly it can all change when deals are being negotiated behind closed doors.

Of course it all depends on where Fonua-Blake ends up signing.

But regardless, the club that wins the race for his signature is going to have to come up with an exchange that will not only keep the Warriors happy, but also the salary cap auditor given Fonua-Blake is talking $1.2 million-a-season.

Stefano Utoikamanu has no desire to leave Sydney and upset his family life.
That figure would not be far-fetched given Fonua-Blake is one of the game’s top-five props who featured on this masthead’s exclusive Rich 100 list at No.9 on $1.05 million this season, and his stocks would have only gone up on the back of the Warriors’ shock top-four finish.

The only three clubs who appear to have the salary cap space to sign him would be the Tigers, Bulldogs and Dragons, although the Sharks have come into the conversation in recent days since releasing Connor Tracey.

The other issue for the Tigers and Bulldogs is that they are also in the fight for off-contract Panther Jarome Luai, who is seeking upwards of $1.1m-a-season.

Addin Fonua-Blake’s form in 2023 established him as one of the NRL’s top five props. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Papali’i did an interview recently where he came out in strong support of Benji Marshall, and said he was committed to the Tigers for the long term.

He also believes living in Australia has benefited his football.

He initially debuted for the Warriors in 2017 under Stephen Kearney as an 18 year-old.

But it wasn’t until he moved to the Eels that his career came to life.

While he did not initially want to leave Parramatta, the reported $640,000-a-season offer from the Tigers was just too much above what the Eels were initially prepared to spend to keep him.

The irony is the Eels probably could have kept Papali’i had their final offer been made earlier in the negotiations.

As it turned out, that monster pay upgrade is also the reason Papali’i is now seen as a potential trade option given the salary cap space it could free up to sign Fonua-Blake.

 

[Noitall]

It is an interesting discussion, I compare our pack to Penriths and they are very similar in heights across the board but overall we are slightly heavier (mainly due to AFB and Tohu) which leads me to believe it could be a technique issue.

I could see Niukore being able to offer the intensity that JFH and Leota offer but not Barnett. Big guys like NAS were able to bump him off with ease this year. Definitely have come around to Niukore in the front row and think AFB can be used as an offset in what we can replace him with. Really see a lot of the panthers in our squad, Tohu and Yeo are similar locks and back 5 do a lot of work. I like the idea of Zyon Maiu’u filling that intimidating Leniu role off the bench in time. I like the depth in our entire squad and if Capewell comes then front row is the only area in need of more so can be totally focused on. We could potentially get 2 for the money AFB earns.

 

[Up the guttz]

Isaiah Papali’i among stars who could become collateral damage in race for Addin Fonua-Blake | Daily Telegraph​

Wests Tigers star Isaiah Papali’i is at risk of becoming collateral damage as the hunt for Sydney-bound Warriors wrecking ball Addin Fonua-Blake gets serious.
It is understood the Warriors will be seeking a top-line player as part of a potential trade deal in return for granting Fonua-Blake an early release so he can join a new NRL club in 2025.

The game has been awash with rumours in recent days that the names heading the Warriors’ hit list include Papali’i and Tigers teammate Stefano Utoikamanu, along with Canterbury’s Viliame Kikau and St George Illawarra’s Jaydn Su’A.

Of those players, former Warrior Papali’i seems to be the one getting the most attention, which is probably due to the fact he appears the most likely player on this list that both parties would agree on.

There is next to no chance the Bulldogs would even contemplate letting Kikau go, while the Tigers would be crazy to surrender Utoikamanu at this point of his career.

Utoikamanu, 23, and his partner are also expecting their second baby, and sources have indicated that they have absolutely no desire to leave Sydney.

Addin Fonua-Blake is likely to spark a player-trade shootout as negotiations with desperate Sydney clubs get serious. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Su’A could be a good fit but it would also depend on his desire to move to New Zealand.

Papali’i has also indicated he wants to stay living in Sydney where he has set up a happy off-field life with his partner, Elle Temu, who is a New Zealand netballer who moved to Australia to be with Papali’i.

While Papali’i has been told by the Tigers that the club is not shopping him around, everyone involved also understands how quickly it can all change when deals are being negotiated behind closed doors.

Of course it all depends on where Fonua-Blake ends up signing.

But regardless, the club that wins the race for his signature is going to have to come up with an exchange that will not only keep the Warriors happy, but also the salary cap auditor given Fonua-Blake is talking $1.2 million-a-season.

Stefano Utoikamanu has no desire to leave Sydney and upset his family life.
That figure would not be far-fetched given Fonua-Blake is one of the game’s top-five props who featured on this masthead’s exclusive Rich 100 list at No.9 on $1.05 million this season, and his stocks would have only gone up on the back of the Warriors’ shock top-four finish.

The only three clubs who appear to have the salary cap space to sign him would be the Tigers, Bulldogs and Dragons, although the Sharks have come into the conversation in recent days since releasing Connor Tracey.

The other issue for the Tigers and Bulldogs is that they are also in the fight for off-contract Panther Jarome Luai, who is seeking upwards of $1.1m-a-season.

Addin Fonua-Blake’s form in 2023 established him as one of the NRL’s top five props. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Papali’i did an interview recently where he came out in strong support of Benji Marshall, and said he was committed to the Tigers for the long term.

He also believes living in Australia has benefited his football.

He initially debuted for the Warriors in 2017 under Stephen Kearney as an 18 year-old.

But it wasn’t until he moved to the Eels that his career came to life.

While he did not initially want to leave Parramatta, the reported $640,000-a-season offer from the Tigers was just too much above what the Eels were initially prepared to spend to keep him.

The irony is the Eels probably could have kept Papali’i had their final offer been made earlier in the negotiations.

As it turned out, that monster pay upgrade is also the reason Papali’i is now seen as a potential trade option given the salary cap space it could free up to sign Fonua-Blake.

Gees if even Ipap doesn’t want to leave the wooden spoon Tigers to come home to the top 4 warriors we are in trouble!

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Gees if even Ipap doesn’t want to leave the wooden spoon Tigers to come home to the top 4 warriors we are in trouble!

I wouldn’t want Papalii anyway. I’d we sign Capewell, where would he play? We’ve got laben, going, Sifakula and halasima coming through as edges, ford, Capewell, Harris. We’re already short a mid & trading afb would wreck us up front. Even with marata moving to the middle, Papalii isn’t the solution unless he moves to the middle but he’s better on An edge. I guess it’s all dependent on Capewells decision

 

[WahsaurusRex]

That sucks re: Stefano, but glad to hear that they have set the bar high for a player in return.

Not sure I believe the part about Ice, especially after all the fuss he kicked up last year about going to the Tigers.

If it is about his partner only just signing and moving to Aussie, reading the article about it, it said there is a defender shortage for the Silver Ferns; surely after a year stint in Sydney, she would be welcomed back with open arms by NZ Netball.. Just another reason Mohawk should buy the Mystics or the Stars lol

Niukore moving to prop, with Capewell and Ice on the edge in 2025 sounds like the best we could realistically do.

 

[Fizurg]

its also not like Ipap cant play well in the middle either. 40 mins on an edge and 20 mins in the middle or any similar mix.

 

[Falcon]

It is an interesting discussion, I compare our pack to Penriths and they are very similar in heights across the board but overall we are slightly heavier (mainly due to AFB and Tohu) which leads me to believe it could be a technique issue.

The Panthers forwards seemed ‘more explosive’ including those coming off the bench, which gave Cleary a great platform to create plays for his outside backs.