Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
1	Bunty Afoa	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔
4	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
12	Tohu Harris	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
29	Dylan Walker	✔
30	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kalani Going	S
S2	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Jett Cleary	T	S	S

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker, Kalani Going (S), Tanner Stowers-Smith (S), Demitric Vaimauga (C)

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[Leon Black]

Atkinson has looked very decent and is a way more realistic target.

Big fan of Atkinson, prefer him over Trindall. Was in the Storm system, gives off vibes of Drinkwater, Hynes and Hughes. Competitor looks a smart footballer.

 

[Leon Black]

Yeah we are. But he can still turn it on especially on the wing and we have a couple of young kids in the pipeline. RTS = Monty

Some peeps have blinkers on, some of RTS’ games at fullback last year were phenomenal stats wise. He is not a centre, proved it in Rugby, confirmed it in league. He will do well on the wing or at fullback.

 

[Leon Black]

I was not impressed by him at all during that period. His kicking game was still crap. Some of his try assists were off poor passes along the ground or other average play. His games read well in the stats department but didn't pass the eye test for me.

I understand I am probably in the minority there, but if that is his best then it isn't good enough for me.

Scored a lot of tries off pinpoint short kicks. Did you even watch the games?

 

[Leon Black]

Some Footage of Roger showing he can't play wing or FB. Watch the video then pull your head in and show some respect.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ_Hr9DP67c

Agree, some of these shit sippers saying he is not a winger or fullback, started watching NRL in 2023 FFS!

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Do you reckon he plateued, or was a victim of the whole team doing quite poorly at the time?

My only issue with Berry this year was that he had a few poor misses in defence, and I think a few times he didn't wrap the arms up and the opposing player got an offload away and they scored.

To me, it feels like each year he looks like he's going to have a break out year and then he never does haha. Still early days and he's tracking in the right trajectory, but he just never seems to reach that potential that so many see in him.

Nek year maybe?

Put him on the wing since we're short there

 

[ndp26]

Some peeps have blinkers on, some of RTS’ games at fullback last year were phenomenal stats wise. He is not a centre, proved it in Rugby, confirmed it in league. He will do well on the wing or at fullback.

Agree with this - but also think this is the reason RTS would be better suited to the wing in our current squad, he is a stats player... and, ultimately, always has been.

When he arrived at our club, we needed an elite fullback, he had speed and was electric. He has never had a strong passing / ballplaying game, but back then it didn't matter as the game didn't require it and we had other players in the squad that could perform that role. (Although watching a lot less Yawnion than I used to, I feel that his lack of a passing game played a big part in him not reaching the heights he so wanted in the other code.) Roger has always been a stats machine, but that is not what we need now.

In 2024/2025, the game has evolved and the model AW plays requires a fullback that can ball play - CNK can do what Roger can stats-wise and offers more ball-playing ability. What we all hope is that Taine can trump both Roger and CNK by adding a bit of flair / pace / elusiveness that the other two no longer have. If nothing else but a straight-swap for Montoya, there is little down-side to having Roger on the wing in his place (other than perhaps missing some hype / eno).

So why is Roger suited to the winger? Well, to start with, he has won a Dally M positional award and a premiership there. "Yes, but that was 11 years ago!" Sure, but this is not a new position for him - and it is certainly a more familiar position than testing him in centre. (I was an advocate for trying him in centre - stats weren't terrible and he was moved around a lot, but will somewhat fairly be called a failed experiment.) Roger can offer what we want/need from a winger... prop-wing carries out of yardage, solid defence (playing to a system, whether that is rushing in (with the centre) or otherwise), safe enough hands under the high ball and an ability to finish. He has lost some pace over the years - he'd be the first to admit it - but he's still got a step, is strong as an ox and will no doubt continue to be a challenge for opposition defensive lines to put down in 2025!

Can't wait to see some left-side cut-out balls from Metcalf, or some silky hands from CNK/Pompey on the left edge, before RTS dots down in the corner under the bright lights of Vegas and beyond!

 

[SJ2k]

Talking about Berry's upside is weird, his upside is being a startable centre in the NRL. Dude's flashed almost no big play ability in many games now. Ali in his very limited starts has already shown far more upside.

The RTS signing was shat on when it was announced, and quite rightly so. We've ended up with this muddled backline with no stand outs and somehow also limited depth.

If the team doesn't come out firing next year, I hope Webby has the balls to get some of the young blood in there.

On a more positive note, our injury toll was absolutely crippling right off the bat last year. It 100% impacted the teams performance and we still were a couple tries out of the 8. Relying on luck isn't a good thing, but if we get the reverse of that this year I think the team performs so much better and we get a proper look at these players.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

In 2024/2025, the game has evolved and the model AW plays requires a fullback that can ball play - CNK can do what Roger can stats-wise and offers more ball-playing ability. What we all hope is that Taine can trump both Roger and CNK by adding a bit of flair / pace / elusiveness that the other two no longer have. If nothing else but a straight-swap for Montoya, there is little down-side to having Roger on the wing in his place (other than perhaps missing some hype / eno).

I would like to play devils advocate please sir.

You speak of AWs model that requires a ball playing full back.

How so? I see AW following a similar model to Penrith, whose 4x champion fullback Dylan Edwards is a stat machine - runs all day and is not a ball player, having 7 or less try assists for the last 4 years.

Last year AWs fullback was Charnz, who similarly to Edwards ran all day with big run meters and had 6 try assists. Very similar as Edwards - Mr Consistent.

Based on all of that, I would actually argue that Roger is more suited to AWs model that you speak of. And here's the kicker...of the last 4 years RTS played fb for us, 2 of those years he had more try assists than CNK or D Edwards...so you could even make an argument that he would be a better ball player/distributor...

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I would like to play devils advocate please sir.

You speak of AWs model that requires a ball playing full back.

How so? I see AW following a similar model to Penrith, whose 4x champion fullback Dylan Edwards is a stat machine - runs all day and is not a ball player, having 7 or less try assists for the last 4 years.

Last year AWs fullback was Charnz, who similarly to Edwards ran all day with big run meters and had 6 try assists. Very similar as Edwards - Mr Consistent.

Based on all of that, I would actually argue that Roger is more suited to AWs model that you speak of. And here's the kicker...of the last 4 years RTS played fb for us, 2 of those years he had more try assists than CNK or D Edwards...so you could even make an argument that he would be a better ball player/distributor...

Not sure if you watched many Penrith games but Edwards is more than just a stat machine. He is integral to Penriths attacking shifts. He may not get many try assists but when you have Cleary, Yeo and Luai you will not get many. He has likely the biggest motor in the NRL so he can get all the stats and also be part of the attacking shifts. So not really much of a comparison to CNK and RTS.

As for the AW model I am not sure he can pull that out for 2025 with the halves he has. I would prefer to see Taine in the FB position as he can off another attacking options and even 5th play option. If AW goes with the same gameplan from 23/24 then RTS should be FB as 2024 CNK was poor. If we got 2023 CNK then he should be FB but I am not a big fan of where someone is guaranteed a spot especially when the play badly.

 

[Teets]

I would like to play devils advocate please sir.

You speak of AWs model that requires a ball playing full back.

How so? I see AW following a similar model to Penrith, whose 4x champion fullback Dylan Edwards is a stat machine - runs all day and is not a ball player, having 7 or less try assists for the last 4 years.

Last year AWs fullback was Charnz, who similarly to Edwards ran all day with big run meters and had 6 try assists. Very similar as Edwards - Mr Consistent.

Im a CNK fan, but that's a fair point.

Both teams play with a middle service 7 playing both sides of the ruck so the FB role is much narrower in good ball.

And with the right edge running a lot of those double leads in 2023 a lot of CNKs passes were just a draw pass or tip ons so not like he was prime Darius Boyd throwing money face balls to ice 3 on 2s.

RTS and TT can probably do that just as serviceably when the teams rolling.

Don't think that set up gets the best out of Taine though, if he's FB you want him attacking right across the field.

 

[Noitall]

Im a CNK fan, but that's a fair point.

Both teams play with a middle service 7 playing both sides of the ruck so the FB role is much narrower in good ball.

And with the right edge running a lot of those double leads in 2023 a lot of CNKs passes were just a draw pass or tip ons so not like he was prime Darius Boyd throwing money face balls to ice 3 on 2s.

RTS and TT can probably do that just as serviceably when the teams rolling.

Don't think that set up gets the best out of Taine though, if he's FB you want him attacking right across the field.

If all 3 are kept, I think there are configurations of how they can be used. Any of the 3 can play fullback. CNK is the only one of the 3 that can play centre effectively and any of the 3 could play wing

 

[John Nick]

If all 3 are kept, I think there are configurations of how they can be used. Any of the 3 can play fullback. CNK is the only one of the 3 that can play centre effectively and any of the 3 could play wing

Well put Noitall .Dont think any of us are bagging these 3 guys as such .They all have good qualities.
More its how best to manage these same qualities.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Yep. Better defender at centre, faster, better passer. Not better at hitting a hole or taking a hit up.
Berry is a better centre with a lot more upside

Completely disagree. We could release Berry tomorrow and not even notice.

 

[Kestrel84]

Feels like we're pissed off because we want a flashy, try-scoring, highlights reel centre - and we don't think Berry is it?

From a performance perspective, did we have a bad year with Berry and his edge in 2023? (ignoring DWZ's defensive brain explosions).
Berry was all effort, silky hands and made everyone else look better.

Pompey also quietly goes about his business doing a solid job in pretty much the same manner.

But fuck those guys, they're boring. I want a highlight reel I can jerk off to.

 

[Tragic]

Completely disagree. We could release Berry tomorrow and not even notice.

If we are only talking centre then the same applies to CNK.
With TT, Roger and Pasikala in the squad you might also make that argument for FB, but I wouldn't as i think that FB is CNKs best position.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Completely disagree. We could release Berry tomorrow and not even notice.

Metcalf's broken leg might be faster healing than Rocco's shoulder. Put him on the wing.

 

[Tonbridge(aka Swanley)]

RTS is not a winger
Has proved he is not a centre (so therefore not a 2nd rower)
Is not todays Fullback
SO HE IS NOT NEEDED. Get rid of him and use the money for a real winger

Yes agree, he can play in the reserves.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Feels like we're pissed off because we want a flashy, try-scoring, highlights reel centre - and we don't think Berry is it?

From a performance perspective, did we have a bad year with Berry and his edge in 2023? (ignoring DWZ's defensive brain explosions).
Berry was all effort, silky hands and made everyone else look better.

Pompey also quietly goes about his business doing a solid job in pretty much the same manner.

But fuck those guys, they're boring. I want a highlight reel I can jerk off to.

What a fucking weird strawman considering the debate is basically CNK vs Berry.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

If we are only talking centre then the same applies to CNK.
With TT, Roger and Pasikala in the squad you might also make that argument for FB, but I wouldn't as i think that FB is CNKs best position.

Pasikala isnt in the squad.* Hes a reserves player

*Meaning top 17

 

[Zaggo]

I swear some people on this forum need to get their brains checked because there's some serious issues with memories that extend back beyond about 3 months ago.

Berry was a cornerstone of our 2023 success with his defence and kick chases. He scored an elite solo try against the Knights in the playoffs. He's 23, and has demonstrated growth in his abilities year on year.

All of the above, and some clowns reckon he's never amounted to much and never will. Heeeeeeyyyzus.... Stick to watching Kata and Konnie highlights.