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	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 23/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanner Stowers-Smith

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[Worried2Death]

The warriors social media post with the kiwis featured all warriors players, very Jordan Riki heavy

Do we really need another 2nd rower? Could be the new Logan Swann I spose.

 

[roguei]

The warriors social media post with the kiwis featured all warriors players, very Jordan Riki heavy

Dunno if i'd read to much into it. Hot bronco's players = views.

 

[Makasene]

I just wouldn't be racing out to sign a halfback for next season. Certainly not any of the ones mentioned. Tanah Boyd? Bloody hell we are desperate.

We need to accept next year for what it is and go all in for some Nov 1 pieces for 2026.

 

[Worried2Death]

Bloody hell we are desperate.

I'm afraid we are

 

[Worried2Death]

Dunno if i'd read to much into it. Hot bronco's players = views.

Need more of the sexiest player in the game, Griffin Neame.

 

[Makasene]

I'm afraid we are

I like the pieces we have.

Unfortunately, they are made of glass. So there lies the risk...

But I am more than keen, nay, excited to give Metcalf the reigns. I want to see that before we go and sign an alternative.

I don't mind signing a depth half but often that's a waste of cash

 

[Neo]

Need more of the sexiest player in the game, Griffin Neame.

That’s disrespectful to Cam McInnes

 

[Worried2Death]

That’s disrespectful to Cam McInnes

My mother once said I'm the handsomest man in the world except for Cam McInnes

 

[Noitall]

Eels forum says Gutherson has asked for a release to join dragons. With November a couple of days away, that’s a couple of big names in him and Hunt to kick things off

 

[Inruin]

Eels forum says Gutherson has asked for a release to join dragons. With November a couple of days away, that’s a couple of big names in him and Hunt to kick things off

Next few weeks will be interesting as the musical chairs plays out

 

[Noitall]

Hunt "open to all offers" as Queensland club become early front-runners

The Dragons captain was released on Wednesday morning.

www.zerotackle.com

Hunt open to all offers, even super league. Should Warriors have a nudge?

 

[Worried2Death]

Hunt "open to all offers" as Queensland club become early front-runners

The Dragons captain was released on Wednesday morning.

www.zerotackle.com

Hunt open to all offers, even super league. Should Warriors have a nudge?

Hell yeah, we're instant finals contenders with Buntwah.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I think Boyd behind our pack will be a lot different from Boyd behind the Titans pack. Not against a Boyd signing as going in with 3 halves is not idea for 2025 especially if we end up having an injury toll like this year. He would have more time behind our pack. Last year we had no issues getting to the opposition 20 but we couldn't convert so hopefully a new half could change that.

 

[3rdstriker]

Man with such a jump in pages from this morning I thought there had been a signing ....

 

[jonesy101]

Man with such a jump in pages from this morning I thought there had been a signing ....

No. The only real activity here at the moment is a sheep game.

 

[Noitall]

Man with such a jump in pages from this morning I thought there had been a signing ....

Tanah Boyd spotted in Auckland at least. Might have been Damian McKenzie yet

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Need more of the sexiest player in the game, Griffin Neame.

pff

 

[Tookey 2.0]

How much money do we think we have currently?
I'd give Ben Hunt a 2 year 1.8 mill ($1 mill nek year, 800k 2026) contract.

Immediately puts us into finals contention. We're still going to have a dominant pack next year and we all saw what a top half can do behind a good pack with SJ last year. Hunt would have 35+ try assists with our pack

 

[Mark_O'Dare]

I think Boyd behind our pack will be a lot different from Boyd behind the Titans pack. Not against a Boyd signing as going in with 3 halves is not idea for 2025 especially if we end up having an injury toll like this year. He would have more time behind our pack. Last year we had no issues getting to the opposition 20 but we couldn't convert so hopefully a new half could change that.

Actual Titans fan here (can you believe it we actually exist? lol), Tanah Boyd's problem isn't that he was behind a non-dominant pack (not even accurate) and didn't have time to work with.. his problem is that he's deer-in-the-headlights literally every single time he has stepped onto the park, as a result has neglected his running game if he even had one in the first place, no real long-kicking game, and his short kicking game isn't much better, and just doesn't have the vision to resort to any secondary attacking option if he can't get his kick away. Tackles okay though I guess.

I think his best value is as an experienced play-making backup 9/maybe plays some 14, he's more suited to a hooker role than the halves anyway. I reckon you'd be better off grabbing Tommy Weaver and hiding him behind JFH and co.

Also, while i'm here, someone tell Webby to please feel free to go ahead and secure your centre depth by acquiring Brian Kelly, he's a monster talent if you squint really hard and would be a huge asset to your footy club

 

[Vancent]

I’m ok with Tanah Boyd signing should it eventuate.

Reasoning includes:
We’re currently a half short, and have others who are susceptible to injury.

TB is an above average goal kicker and we are well short there, frustratingly we scored more tries and still lost games at least twice last year.

He is defensively sound, if not aggressive. We like that, especially early in the season when it has a more significant impact in yielding the W.

He looks likely to be able to transition into hooker cover, either temporarily or more permanently when the preferred longer term halved options are ready.

He is a game manager and would compliment either of our other running pivot options.

Perhaps somewhat optimistically, I’d like to think a pre-season with us, with Webby & 2xSJ specialist halves coaches supporting, may yield a better quality result than a Titans pre season with Des, Foz or Holbrook were ever able to.

Finally, a ‘second chance’ change of scenery scenario often bodes well for capable players, and I think TB is already more established than James Maloney was when he first landed.

Yes - an astute signing in my view.