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

 

[cero_stars]

I love Lussicks effort on defense. still think he's got a long way to go with attack but if we get way more performances like last night and not last week then im happy enough with the extension

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I am happy with Lussick being resigned. People here myself included have given him shit at times but he has only played 35 FG games. He will only get better with more game time. I remember when Egan started with us and many gave him shit but now we talk about him being in Origin. If Lussick can get at least as good as his older brother in the Eels I would be happy.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Lussick played all right once he settled down. Looked like he was just trying too hard at the start (that plain dumb penalty he gave as an example) and just wasnt accurate.

Given Egans durability we need capable back up, and i think at his best thats what he can provide......capable back up.

 

[Beastmode]

keep in mind Lussick is only 23.

 

[mrblonde]

Definitely happy with resigning Freddy.
I think it's a good thing that he's regarded as more accomplished defensively than offensively - the old "defence is attitude" thing. The attacking skills will come and he'll have time to learn those skills if he's constantly in the 17 and we're not in a position where we're constantly making changes to get results (not that Mr Webster comes across as that kind of coach).

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Anyone have any updates on where Metcalf's extension is?

 

[afakasi247]

I hope Lussick signed a 2 year extension with the NSW Cup Team. Cos I'm not gonna kiss ass & say "Yaaaay" cos its a boo for me. Oh well, Suck it up i guess

Its a good sign we’re able to extend the likes of Lussick and Metcalf. Shows there’s a shift in Aus players coming here and dipping after a year or 2. We’ll still get the AFBs but it’s nice to see these young Aussie prospect choose to give it a real crack here in NZ.

 

[sballer7]

I think people bagging Lussick and his resigning need to remember that Egan was bagged left and right around here for the best part of 2 or 3 seasons. Im not saying hes going to be one of the best hookers, but the kid is 23 and has 35 games under his belt. Hes durable, fit and has shown he can hang in 1st grade. Give him some time to develop while Egans body can hang in there.

 

[Playdaball]

I don’t really agree with the Lussick resigning . I would have liked to see Roache or CHT given a chance and then reassess if worth signing on Lussick.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I think people bagging Lussick and his resigning

I mean, We can have our own opinions on players/signings can't we? Just not a fan. I want a hooker who can pass from dummy half with fast & accurate service. That has enough speed to scoot out of dummy half & keep the opposition guessing. Can't teach speed. And his distribution skills are awful. Hearty player! Good defensively until he gets tired and falls off tackles.

Prefer to see Roache more.
But he's signed now. I'll support the man and hope he goes well with the mighty wahs.

 

[sballer7]

I mean, We can have our own opinions on players/signings can't we? Just not a fan. I want a hooker who can pass from dummy half with fast & accurate service. That has enough speed to scoot out of dummy half & keep the opposition guessing. Can't teach speed. And his distribution skills are awful. Hearty player! Good defensively until he gets tired and falls off tackles.

Prefer to see Roache more.
But he's signed now. I'll support the man and hope he goes well with the mighty wahs.

Where did I say you couldnt have an opinion?

The negatives people see in Lussicks game are the exact same faults that Egan was blasted for for 3 years.

 

[tajhay]

Remember Lussick was brought into provide competition and light fire in Taniela Otukolo. Club apparently felt that he needed to increase his intensity in trainings and increase his approach to be a professional player. Shows how soft our developed players are when the player asks for release at seasons end and loses his place to a loan player. Taniela was talked about as some elite player in waiting. Maybe he listened to his own press too much. Never added to his list of nrl games after he left. Such a waste.

Well done to Freddy. Gets lots of heat unfairly. He played well yesterday. He is only going to get better from his extended game time.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Where did I say you couldnt have an opinion?

The negatives people see in Lussicks game are the exact same faults that Egan was blasted for for 3 years.

Who blasted Egan for 3 years? Lol.

 

[snake77]

Egan has developed well to the point he's a critical part of the side. But he is going to be in and out of the side either due to HIA's or picking up injuries.

We need a capable backup. Lussick being extremely fit and being able to come in and play the majority or a full 80 in first grade is great for our overall squad.

He might get a bit more first grade as well sharing duties with Egan.

We have talked of becoming a development club. I know that typically means locally produced but it can also mean getting guys at a younger age and giving them an opportunity.

This also sounds like rewarding someone that has trained hard. Can't complain about that.

 

[Beastmode]

Who blasted Egan for 3 years? Lol.

He had a really good crisp pass but no kick, no dummy half darts, looked avg on D. I was comparing him to the guy he replaced - Isaac Luke. So I think the criticism at the time was fair

And we sucked as a team -
Losing didn’t help

 

[The Warrior Waka]

He had a really good crisp pass but no kick, no dummy half darts, looked avg on D. I was comparing him to the guy he replaced - Isaac Luke. So I think the criticism at the time was fair

And we sucked as a team -
Losing didn’t help

I didn't mind Egan. Could tell he had it all where it mattered, The top two inches. Took a bit of time to find his feet. Great discipline, a bit injury prone tho. But i never hated on him.

 

[Beastmode]

I didn't mind Egan. Could tell he had it all where it mattered, The top two inches. Took a bit of time to find his feet. Great discipline, a bit injury prone tho. But i never hated on him.

I didn’t “hate”. Heavily criticised - yes. But he had big shoes to fill and he wasn’t filling it at the time. Same can be said of Metcalf and Lussick. But I guess that’s why it’s call development and continuous improvement

 

[Stalefish540]

Decent depth signing especially since he can play near 80 minutes as shown last night.

His craft and passing could use a fair amount of work, last night was better than last week which was good to see.

Hope CHT keeps getting his chances though, offers just as much on D but a much crisper pass and more versatility off the bench.

Will be interesting to see how the season unfolds with those two as we need back up for Egan on the bench.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I didn’t “hate”. Heavily criticised - yes. But he had big shoes to fill and he wasn’t filling it at the time. Same can be said of Metcalf and Lussick. But I guess that’s why it’s call development and continuous improvement

My bad, Not directing the "Hate/criticism" comment at you.
JS i thought Egan was alright and a heap of upside to him.

 

[BabylonPink]

I mean, We can have our own opinions on players/signings can't we? Just not a fan. I want a hooker who can pass from dummy half with fast & accurate service. That has enough speed to scoot out of dummy half & keep the opposition guessing. Can't teach speed. And his distribution skills are awful. Hearty player! Good defensively until he gets tired and falls off tackles.

Prefer to see Roache more.
But he's signed now. I'll support the man and hope he goes well with the mighty wahs.

I think most teams value defense over offence. But it just depends on your Forte
And the rest of the squad needs to complement them obviously