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

 

[Completion Rate]

Cap space? Need middles?

W I L L I S O N

 

[Muddogz]

The concern with Walker leaving is we don’t have a like for like replacement. Losing him and Jazz would require a change in game plan with the personnel we have available.

I’m not sure we’d be that keen unless we have a decent player lined up for the squad we need Walkers money for.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

The concern with Walker leaving is we don’t have a like for like replacement. Losing him and Jazz would require a change in game plan with the personnel we have available.

I’m not sure we’d be that keen unless we have a decent player lined up for the squad we need Walkers money for.

Which is entirely possible.

 

[CWC]

Just when I thought the inane CHT to lock discussion had been quashed, it's come back with a vengeance.

The bloke isn't a lock. Being a halfway decent tackler for a half does not make him a lock. He is not Cam Murray 2.0.

The ideal solution for our forwards being depleted is to lure the Leeds legend BAM LIBONE back to the club.

I said CNK, not CHT lol

 

[Theking267]

Kalani Going will be upgraded to the first grade squad. If or when Dylan Walker leaves

 

[Dantheman]

Kalani Going will be upgraded to the first grade squad. If or when Dylan Walker leaves

You reckon? The club hasn't really done anything to indicate he's the next one up.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Theres not many players with dylans utility value. He can play backrow, Center, 6, 9 and prop.

I reckon Halasima has Walker covered tho. Can cover the backs & forwards and probably 9 at a pinch if injuries required him too. Except halves. Someone like Roache can cover the halves. We have ample backrow cover, Albeit young & inexperienced. Worth the gamble!?

I'd prefer we invest the money & buy a prop(Willison /Whyte) and a fast winger.
Dwz , Montoya, Rts , Kosi as wing cover options makes me soft

Unless we move Barney & Nuikore to prop permanently. Then we have JFH , Barney , Nuikore, Ale(Utility) , Zyon Maiu’u. Bunty , Ford (Utility)

Backrow
Tohu Harris(If he doesn't retire), Capewah, Halasima , Sifakula , Ale , Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ford , Laban , Going.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Theres not many players with dylans utility value. He can play backrow, Center, 6, 9 and prop.

I reckon Halasima has Walker covered tho. Can cover the backs & forwards and probably 9 at a pinch if injuries required him too. Except halves. Someone like Roache can cover the halves. We have ample backrow cover, Albeit young & inexperienced. Worth the gamble!?

I'd prefer we invest the money & buy a prop(Willison /Whyte) and a fast winger.
Dwz , Montoya, Rts , Kosi as wing cover options makes me soft

Unless we move Barney & Nuikore to prop permanently. Then we have JFH , Barney , Nuikore, Ale(Utility) , Zyon Maiu’u. Bunty , Ford (Utility)

Backrow
Tohu Harris(If he doesn't retire), Capewah, Halasima , Sifakula , Ale , Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ford , Laban , Going.

It's in our interest to develop ace players who don't get hyped by media so we can win without marquee player mindsets.

Either that or go and pinch from other teams. But we don't need to. All the players you mention are fine for us.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

It's in our interest to develop ace players who don't get hyped by media so we can win without marquee player mindsets.

Either that or go and pinch from other teams. But we don't need to. All the players you mention are fine for us.

This is why I put up options. If we move Barney & Nuikore to Prop. I don't think we need to buy another prop. If they're being kept in the backrow I think we look weak at prop. And would prefer we pinch one from another club.

 

[Dangerous]

I had my doubts about Kalani Going last year but he keeps getting better & better. This year he's been one of the top 3 players in cup every week. Hes tough on defense & plays really direct into the line allowing outside backs plenty of room. He can def fill a role there more than adequately or at least until we can sign an elite 13 "Hopgood" type player.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Guys I wouldn’t fret. If he leaves, that gives us over 1 million between jazz (400k), and Walker (700k) to splash.

We’re officially a desirable club now. Not in the elk of the Melbourne’s panthers roosters, but we’re right up there. We have our identity back.

Nothing in recent signings casts doubt over the personnel we will bring in. Our recruitment has exceeded my expectations well and truely. We will be fine.

Btw this chat of CHT & CNK playing lock is absolutely clutching. It ends now.

 

[Theking267]

It’s just open up for Going with Tavega leaving & Walker likely leaving. He’s paid his dues in the lower grades and deserves a chance.

 

[jumpman5xl]

I remember Rugby League guru talking about if CHT could move to 13. Definitely would need to put on some more kilos. But I wouldn't mind trialling it and moving Barney to 13. CHT could come on to change the pace and dynamic of our attack for 20mins or so. Then slot in at 9 for 10 or 15 for Egan.
Then we could go after Willison, Neame or Thompson for 2026.

 

[jumpman5xl]

My 2026 targets:
Dylan Brown,
Griffin Neame,
Leo Thompson,
Xavier Willison,
Kaeo Weekes.

 

[MM51]

I almost got the vibe that Kalani going was happy just to play cup? No indications of him being promoted not to mention he’s 28?

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

My 2026 targets:
Dylan Brown,
Griffin Neame,
Leo Thompson,
Xavier Willison,
Kaeo Weekes.

No double barrel lastnames…

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

It’s probably nothing but, Te Maire posted on his Instagram story the Warriors Jazz announcement post. With “any tickets”, could he be a little salty?

 

[jumpman5xl]

No double barrel lastnames…

turning a new leaf

 

[Playdaball]

A player the Warriors should sign for 2025 ....

Exclusive: Portia on her plans to switch to league

Woodman-Wickliffe said there has already been some interest from Australian clubs.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Playdaball]

It’s probably nothing but, Te Maire posted on his Instagram story the Warriors Jazz announcement post. With “any tickets”, could he be a little salty?

Will TMM be here in 2025? He may just be content to stay in NZ playing NSW Cup and supporting the regular 1st grade players???