Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum focuses extensively on the Warriors' 2025/2026 contract situations, recruitment targets, and roster evaluations. Key discussions revolve around Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Tigers #223#230, which fans attribute to backline depth and family considerations, while debating Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential shift to wing. Erin Clark's signing as a middle forward #342 generates mixed reactions about his role conversion from hooker. Notable contract concerns include Bunty Afoa's uncertain future #391 and priority re-signings for young talents like Ali Leiataua. Positional debates feature strong opinions about Tohu Harris' reduced role #427, Mitch Barnett's workload management #401, and Jackson Ford's utility value #402. Recruitment speculation highlights interest in Leo Thompson #393#403 amid salary cap constraints. Critical analyses of departing players emerge, including Josh Curran's criticism of Andrew Webster #51#115932 and Jazz Tevaga's emotional exit #437. Fans consistently urge roster upgrades to address goal-kicking deficiencies and spine depth ahead of 2025.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Contracts, Outside Backs, Forward Recruitment

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9546 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 20s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Jett ClearySS
9Wayde Egan
10James Fisher-Harris
11Jackson Ford
12Leka Halasima
13Morgan Harper
14Chanel Harris-Tavita
15Sam Healey
16Edward Kosi
17Jacob Laban
18Ali Leiataua
19Jye Linnane
20Freddy Lussick
21Te Maire Martin
22Luke Metcalf
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
24Marata Niukore
25Adam Pompey
26Tanner Stowers-Smith
27Taine Tuaupiki
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
29Demitric Vaimauga
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-
-Motu PasikalaT??
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Top 30 2026: 27/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck



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NZWarriors.com

Boyd takes his player option for 2026 and remains with Warriors

Tanah Boyd taking up his option for next year and sticking around. Think the club would have been honest with him and he could still be in their plans? He may be depth but if he gets an opportunity, he might grab it with both hands. Think now if TMM is to be extended, it’s as a 14 going forward. Still a possibility, we signed Walker as a bench utility who can fill multiple positions and TMM has that in his arsenal. If he got a preseason to become accustomed to lock off the bench, I’d back him with him a strong defender. That’s possibly where Gannon fits in though?
 
Marcelo Montoya Released/Signs with Bulldogs
Marcelo release confirmed.

One New Zealand Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is leaving the club to return to Australia to continue his NRL career.

The 28-year-old former Fiji Bati international has been granted a release from the last year of his contract after originally joining the club in 2021.

“We were happy for Marcelo to see out his contract with us but we’re really pleased he has found a club back in Australia giving him longer term security,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“He has been a terrific person to have at our club for the last four seasons. He made a major contribution on and off the field and we wish him and his wife Tayla all the best for their future.”

Montoya joined the One New Zealand Warriors from Canterbury Bankstown in the Covid era, spending his first two seasons with the club in Australia.

He scored 30 tries in his 82 appearances for the Warriors, playing all 27 games in 2023.
 
Tohu Harris Retirement
Confirmed NZ Herald:

Warriors captain Tohu Harris announces immediate retirement from NRL - report​

The Warriors have been dealt a New Year’s blow ahead of the 2025 NRL season with reports from Australia suggesting Tohu Harris has called time on his NRL career.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Harris has told those close to him that he cannot play on as he struggled to make his return from a wrist injury that ended his 2024 season.

The 32-year-old managed 14 appearances in the 2024 season before having surgery on the wrist injury, only to have him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

With the departure of another experienced leader in Shaun Johnson, Harris’ reported retirement would mean the likes of Mitch Barnett, who stood in as captain for Harris in 2024, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kurt Capewell and new arrival Kiwis skipper James Fisher-Harris would have to shoulder extra leadership in the Warriors camp.

 
Zyon Maiu’u Released/Signs with Bulldogs

Canterbury Bulldogs sign Warriors prop Zyon Maiu’u on two-year deal effective immediately​

Canterbury have produced a stealth signing ahead of the 2025 season by adding one of the most promising props in New Zealand to their NRL roster.

News Sport Network

Zyon Maiu'u has signed with Canterbury for the next two seasons.

The Bulldogs have produced a stealth signing ahead of the 2025 season by adding one of the most promising props in New Zealand to their NRL roster.
In a major boost to their forward stocks, Canterbury have signed 21-year-old Warriors prop Zyon Maiu’u, effective immediately.

Zyon Maiu’u knocked back interest from the Newcastle Knights and will join the Bulldogs for training on Tuesday.

Identified by the Warriors as a 17-year-old and contracted to the club until the end of 2026, Zyon Maiu’u has been highly touted among the game’s best judges.
The overriding factor in the Warriors reluctant decision to release the powerful ball-carrier with two years remaining on his contract was due to their plethora of young forwards they have at their disposal including Jacob Laban, Demetric Vaumaga and Leka Halasima.

The 106kg edge or middle forward has played one NRL game, coming off the bench in round eight last season against the Titans.
Earning four NRL games from the bench in 2024, this powerhouse talent carries the football with venom while also boasting classy timing in defence.
Used off the bench, he made a big impression in his 13 minutes on the field with 77-metres from seven runs, five tackles, no missed tackles and no errors.
The Bulldogs have made no secret of their desire to add more punch to their forward pack with Zyon Maiu’u recruited to support a team of underrated workers including Max King, Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, Kurtis Morrin, Samuel Hughes and Kurt Mann.

Zyon Maiu’u is expected to feature in the Dogs first pre-season trial match against the Wests Tigers on February 16.

The overriding factor in the Warriors reluctant decision to release the powerful ball-carrier with two years remaining on his contract was due to their plethora of young forwards they have at their disposal including Jacob Laban (Edit), Demitric Vaimauga (Edit) Vaumaga and Leka Halasima (Edit).
What kind of retarded reasoning is that.
 
TSS upgraded to Top 30 Contract
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