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	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Sio Kali	S
S5	Patrick Moimoi	S
S6	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Daeon Amituanai	T
T2	Jaydee Auloa	T
T3	Kahu Capper	T	T
T4	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
T5	Augustino Filipo	T
T6	Etuane Fukofuka	T
T7	Moala Graham-Taufa	T
T8	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	?
T9	Brandon Norris	T
T10	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?
T10	Jason Salalilo	T
T11	Makaia Taufa	T
T12	Rodney Vea	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract, ? = Wtf is up with Motu Pasikala

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 22/30
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

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[hornbybrown]

Imagine saying Fish is a fair trade for Fonua-Blake . He ran for more metres than our whole pack in the first half.
Adding Whyte next year would definitely soften the blow, was crying during the Anthem maybe he’s home sick? Haha

It’s a fair replacement but, they are different types of players.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Those games at half this year were the closest he's ever looked at NRL level to that young Tigers gun who was so good a ball player that Bellamy and Cronk were actively pitching him to come to the Storm.

He's admitted previously that he would never call his shot over guys like Morgan and Thurston and probably fell into a bit of that with SJ.

I'd love to see what Te Maire could do as an on ball 7 with a 6 like Burton to do the long kicking.

He strikes me as very chilled and relaxed.

Does he have the internal competitive drive to get to the next level? Is he a strong enough personality to boss the team around and own a game?

Webster has said in the past he wants ultra competitive people, and 7 is a key position.

 

[Inruin]

He strikes me as very chilled and relaxed.

Does he have the internal competitive drive to get to the next level? Is he a strong enough personality to boss the team around and own a game?

Webster has said in the past he wants ultra competitive people, and 7 is a key position.

I dunno but leading a mismatched team to a win in magic round against the 4 peat Panthers with a broken finger suggests he is. Add in the 5 from 8 wins including a hammering of the Cowboys away and it seems like the team around him were happy enough

 

[Noitall]

He strikes me as very chilled and relaxed.

Does he have the internal competitive drive to get to the next level? Is he a strong enough personality to boss the team around and own a game?

Webster has said in the past he wants ultra competitive people, and 7 is a key position.

I wonder if you’ve just hit the nail on the head? Can recall during the year when he was talking to media that he mentioned he’s not bothered about playing nsw cup. Might have just been pride with SJ continuing to be selected when available and not getting results

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I dunno but leading a mismatched team to a win in magic round against the 4 peat Panthers with a broken finger suggests he is. Add in the 5 from 8 wins including a hammering of the Cowboys away and it seems like the team around him were happy enough

Agree he gets the results but does Webster have confidence in him to do it for a season?

Seems Webster puts a lot on attitude as much as what you do on game day.

Bunty is perhaps another example where he seems a ‘nice guy’, performs his role but Webster doesn’t back him.

 

[kos]

TMM played wonderfully for Broncos at fullback.
I hope he doesnt leave.
Wont be the first very good player we have let go and wont be the last.
Does Webster want Aussie attitude?
TMM has and is a real kiwi.
Is Webster getting a bit of the old -Ali Lauititi - if you dont go my way heres the highway?
Ali -he was our biggest mistake pushing him out.

 

[Inruin]

Agree he gets the results but does Webster have confidence in him to do it for a season?

Seems Webster puts a lot on attitude as much as what you do on game day.

Bunty is perhaps another example where he seems a ‘nice guy’ but Webster doesn’t back him.

Then AW is going to make the same mistakes this year - it's the results that matter isn't it? My take on TMM at halfback was that AW threw him in there because he didn't get the results with SJ against lower ranked teams that he was hoping for, so rested him for the no chance games. TMM and the team performed better without SJ. It's concerning that AW didn't seem to know the capabilities of TMM (and others) and also then to not back them when most could see the outcomes without him at 7. Once we had won those 3 in a row and then capitulated to the titans with SJ back at 7 it seemed that they wanted TMM back there but instead of letting him play to his strengths they wanted him to be more like SJ, more robotic.

It must be quite disheartening to come in, play exceedingly well, get moved for two games, play 7 again and get wins and tight losses, get dropped, a week later get recalled at the last minute, and while carrying a neck injury. Having wins and very close losses with you at 7 and poor performances without you.

I wonder if AW is too close to the players to be able to see the other options available. I also wonder if he has the assistant coaches that are able to provide a different view and willing to voice it

IMO if AW can adapt this season from the risk adverse, robotic play we had gotten to and allow the team a bit more freedom to play with some variety and variation then we will be better for it. With TMM at 7 getting 60% possession split with LM at 6 and no RTS in the centres gives us the best opportunity to get results. My ideal spine at present would be TT, LM, TMM and Egan. There is a lot of variety and creativity there and spread across a few players. The issue we had in 2023 was one player, SJ, being the focal point and needing more points of attack. This spine gives you that. It's fine having the structure but you also need creative players to break the game open and multiple threats to keep the opposition guessing

 

[SJ2k]

Imagine saying Fish is a fair trade for Fonua-Blake . He ran for more metres than our whole pack in the first half.
Adding Whyte next year would definitely soften the blow, was crying during the Anthem maybe he’s home sick? Haha

It's not a fair replacement but it's not a trade. We lost AFB for absolutely nothing. He's the best prop in the game. JFH falling into our laps was an absolute miracle, but it's not a trade. With our budget ass spine, imagine if AFB didn't throw a sook and stayed. Theoretically we could afford both of them.

 

[kos]

Then AW is going to make the same mistakes this year - it's the results that matter isn't it? My take on TMM at halfback was that AW threw him in there because he didn't get the results with SJ against lower ranked teams that he was hoping for, so rested him for the no chance games. TMM and the team performed better without SJ. It's concerning that AW didn't seem to know the capabilities of TMM (and others) and also then to not back them when most could see the outcomes without him at 7. Once we had won those 3 in a row and then capitulated to the titans with SJ back at 7 it seemed that they wanted TMM back there but instead of letting him play to his strengths they wanted him to be more like SJ, more robotic.

It must be quite disheartening to come in, play exceedingly well, get moved for two games, play 7 again and get wins and tight losses, get dropped, a week later get recalled at the last minute, and while carrying a neck injury. Having wins and very close losses with you at 7 and poor performances without you.

I wonder if AW is too close to the players to be able to see the other options available. I also wonder if he has the assistant coaches that are able to provide a different view and willing to voice it

IMO if AW can adapt this season from the risk adverse, robotic play we had gotten to and allow the team a bit more freedom to play with some variety and variation then we will be better for it. With TMM at 7 getting 60% possession split with LM at 6 and no RTS in the centres gives us the best opportunity to get results. My ideal spine at present would be TT, LM, TMM and Egan. There is a lot of variety and creativity there and spread across a few players. The issue we had in 2023 was one player, SJ, being the focal point and needing more points of attack. This spine gives you that. It's fine having the structure but you also need creative players to break the game open and multiple threats to keep the opposition guessing

Well said mate.
Saw that with the Kiwis last night always down the right side.
Such predictablity
You are right TT LM TMM would confound the opposition teams three points of attack
Hopefully Egan comes back refreshed
Paul Roache has looked a great attacking 9 but another who is not on Websters 'list'

 

[Old Sid]

Or perhaps TMM plays 7 and using his creativity and short kicking game and TB at 6 for long and set play kicking.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Or perhaps TMM plays 7 and using his creativity and short kicking game and TB at 6 for long and set play kicking.

I agree what you're saying, but I really hope we (I'm including Webby in this) don't get mixed up with the numbers on people's backs.

TMM is our best attacking half? Make sure he's the one getting the most ball in the red zone and has lots of runners/options.
Tannah Boyd is a good kicker to get the team around? Then use him for that! Who cares if he has number 10 or number 7 on his jersey - use his skill set to the best of their ability.

My biggest frustration with SJ coming back after TMM played really well at 7, was we changed everything up and went back to SJ trying to run everything...why would you do that when what we were doing was winning us games?

 

[Inruin]

Or perhaps TMM plays 7 and using his creativity and short kicking game and TB at 6 for long and set play kicking.

I actually don't mind TB and that could be an option, a bit like Burton at the dogs, but I also think there is a lot of people putting way too much weight on a long kicking game. Sure it would be nice but there are ways around it. There are game plans that other teams use. We very rarely used to spread the ball on the last against a shortened defensive line. We saw it a little more with TMM, sometimes because of necessity rather than design, but it's a good option. Forces the opposition winger to move back up, gets the centre or winger kicking on the front foot. Obviously requires our centres and wingers to develop those skillsets as well. There are other options rather than forcing in a player that can kick the ball longer than what we currently have. I also think LM has a good enough long kick to cover when needed.

 

[Kakarot]

Imagine saying Fish is a fair trade for Fonua-Blake . He ran for more metres than our whole pack in the first half.
Adding Whyte next year would definitely soften the blow, was crying during the Anthem maybe he’s home sick? Haha

How many finals matches AFB play this year?

 

[Inruin]

How many finals matches AFB play this year?

He'll be playing a final next week

 

[Noitall]

How many finals matches AFB play this year?

Great player but couldn’t change it last season either. Forward pack is important but spine more so. I personally don’t think he’ll change the sharks fortunes either with their issues largely being Hynes I reckon. Kennedy hit and miss at fullback too

 

[Kakarot]

He'll be playing a final next week

Fourth ring>pacific final

 

[Noitall]

He'll be playing a final next week

Would love to see Tonga play the Kangaroos in Auckland. They feed off the crowd. Hopefully they turn up in droves to the Australian stadium where it’s played. Auckland does feel like their spiritual home ground though

 

[Inruin]

Fourth ring>pacific final

Penrith>Kiwis
Tonga>Warriors

 

[Kakarot]

Penrith>Kiwis
Tonga>Warriors

My point is the toll of playing all those finals matches, afb was awesome in the first half but thought jfhs second stint was better

 

[Inruin]

Would love to see Tonga play the Kangaroos in Auckland. They feed off the crowd. Hopefully they turn up in droves to the Australian stadium where it’s played. Auckland does feel like their spiritual home ground though

Plenty have commented on the atmosphere at the ground. Would love to see more of this at Go Media.
Would love to see a double header a few weeks in a row with a carnival type atmosphere. Would be awesome to see a tournament with maybe Kiwis, England, Samoa, Tonga. Imagine a double header with those teams.