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

 

[Beastmode]

Ngani was one of my favs back in the day but putting sentiments aside it’s a no- just not a good fit for our squad.
Sand dunes on the other hand…. That’s a hell yea- I’ve been wondering if we could jag a gun sevens player now the Olympics are done. He would fill our need for speed and has filled out at 93kg now. Comes with the bonus of having already played the game and is familiar with the set up- still only 24 too.
I’d be quite excited to bring him back.

Sand Dunes?

 

[Defence]

Sand Dunes?

It seemed easier than looking up how to spell his name…. selestino ravutaumada.

 

[Wrighty]

Sand Dunes?

LOL How can you possibly not know that famous reference.

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Is some talk on Facebook about Walker has broken up with his wife and she’s gone back to Australia.

Laumape 13/14?

This was months ago

 

[Beastmode]

This was months ago

I guess we now know who the unhappy partner was in the group…

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I guess we now know who the unhappy partner was in the group…

Where was TMM?!?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Where was TMM?!?

He's been fishing

 

[Defence]

He's been fishing

Still getting his rod out then?

 

[SBW1]

Sand Dunes?

Will Warbrick from the Storm would be awesome.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

How long until Walks pulls the closer to his kids card (couldn’t blame him either) he’s given us plenty and he’s been around forever so will start to lose effectiveness at some point. No idea what his contract is like, frees up a forward spot for a younger player.

 

[Makasene]

How long until Walks pulls the closer to his kids card (couldn’t blame him either) he’s given us plenty and he’s been around forever so will start to lose effectiveness at some point. No idea what his contract is like, frees up a forward spot for a younger player.

Next year is his last year.

Would expect him to see it out but don't expect him to re-sign

 

[Makasene]

Interested in hearing people's thoughts about moves that might be made for 2026.

In 12 weeks, all of the below are contracted for 2025 and can be signed by another team for 2026

- Bunty Afoa
- Tom Ale
- Jackson Ford
- Tohu Harris
- Edward Kosi
- Ali Leiataua
- TMM
- Marcelo Montoya
- CNK
- Adam Pompey
- Taine Tauapiki
- Dylan Walker
- DWZ


Who are we extending? Who are we waving bye-bye?

 

[Worried2Death]

Interested in hearing people's thoughts about moves that might be made for 2026.

In 12 weeks, all of the below are contracted for 2025 and can be signed by another team for 2026

- Bunty Afoa
- Tom Ale
- Jackson Ford
- Tohu Harris
- Edward Kosi
- Ali Leiataua
- TMM
- Marcelo Montoya
- CNK
- Adam Pompey
- Taine Tauapiki
- Dylan Walker
- DWZ


Who are we extending? Who are we waving bye-bye?

Wouldn't be surprised if they're all gone except Ali.

 

[Dantheman]

Interested in hearing people's thoughts about moves that might be made for 2026.

In 12 weeks, all of the below are contracted for 2025 and can be signed by another team for 2026

- Bunty Afoa
- Tom Ale
- Jackson Ford
- Tohu Harris
- Edward Kosi
- Ali Leiataua
- TMM
- Marcelo Montoya
- CNK
- Adam Pompey
- Taine Tauapiki
- Dylan Walker
- DWZ


Who are we extending? Who are we waving bye-bye?

CNK and Ali for extensions, the rest I'm not worried about if they leave.

 

[Boston Boy]

Interested in hearing people's thoughts about moves that might be made for 2026.

In 12 weeks, all of the below are contracted for 2025 and can be signed by another team for 2026

- Bunty Afoa
- Tom Ale
- Jackson Ford
- Tohu Harris
- Edward Kosi
- Ali Leiataua
- TMM
- Marcelo Montoya
- CNK
- Adam Pompey
- Taine Tauapiki
- Dylan Walker
- DWZ


Who are we extending? Who are we waving bye-bye?

I thought Ford extended?
Questioning the accuracy.
No way we can lose CNK or Leiataua.

 

[Makasene]

I thought Ford extended?
Questioning the accuracy.
No way we can lose CNK or Leiataua.

Ford initially signed for 2023/2024

His extension was for 2025

The list is taken from the top of this thread. Usually pretty accurate

 

[WahsaurusRex]

That is guts re: Walker. loved the bromance between him, Jazz, and Te Maire lol

Interested in hearing people's thoughts about moves that might be made for 2026.

In 12 weeks, all of the below are contracted for 2025 and can be signed by another team for 2026

- Bunty Afoa
- Tom Ale
- Jackson Ford
- Tohu Harris
- Edward Kosi
- Ali Leiataua
- TMM
- Marcelo Montoya
- CNK
- Adam Pompey
- Taine Tauapiki
- Dylan Walker
- DWZ


Who are we extending? Who are we waving bye-bye?

Ali should have been resigned yesterday. Kosi I would actively be trying to find a new home before next season.

Everyone else is varying levels in between that. CNK, DWZ, and TMM would be closer to the Ali side of the spectrum in my book. Bunty, Montoya, and Ford, closer to the Kosi side..

Ali
CNK, DWZ, TMM
Ale, Pompey, Tuaupiki
Afoa, Ford, Montoya
Kosi

 

[John Nick]

I'm sure I read somewhere, that isn't going to happen. Something about being unfair to other clubs etc.

As I understand the Rugby subsidy option is only for guys who havent ever played NRL.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

How long until Walks pulls the closer to his kids card (couldn’t blame him either) he’s given us plenty and he’s been around forever so will start to lose effectiveness at some point. No idea what his contract is like, frees up a forward spot for a younger player.

We can’t carry Walker, Jazz, CHT and Lussick in same 17.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

That is guts re: Walker. loved the bromance between him, Jazz, and Te Maire lol



Ali should have been resigned yesterday. Kosi I would actively be trying to find a new home before next season.

Everyone else is varying levels in between that. CNK, DWZ, and TMM would be closer to the Ali side of the spectrum in my book. Bunty, Montoya, and Ford, closer to the Kosi side..

Ali
CNK, DWZ, TMM
Ale, Pompey, Tuaupiki
Afoa, Ford, Montoya
Kosi

I'm not ready to give up on Ford yet.
Only turning 27 nek year, plays multiple positions, has a big engine. He's one of those toilers that every team needs. If he cleaned up his penalties and errors he'd be fantastic imo. I have an inkling under JFH and Barney hell tidy up his game and go to another level.

Also for me, yes we have good young players coming through but I don't think they'll all be ready to be full time, week in week out NRL players by the start of 2026. Some will, but most won't be.

We have massive player movements over the next 2 years with AFB, SJ, Tohu, Jazz and potentially DWZ a s Walker all leaving at the same time, I don't know if we can the look at scrapping many more than that, or were going to be rookie/newbie heavy which will really impact the team.

Losing players like Montoya, Bunty, Pompey and Ford on top of those key players were losing would have a detrimental impact on our team imo