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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[Noitall]

Because people keep talking about halves pairings and now us bringing over kini a fallback into the warriors. It got me reflecting on this recent interview with gus where he was talking about morden day halves. Where he said:
"The Storm play with three fullbacks: Munster, Hughes, and Paps... Cleary and Luai ran for over 200 meters in that final game. They had to run the ball to make meters. They had to run the ball to make their plays. It wasn't Cleary's playmaking that won it; it was their physicality... Origin Game 3 had two tries at the end, both from Luai and Moses running the ball like fullbacks." - Very condenced non nauced version of about 5 mins linked above.

This made me wonder: do we have an outdated mentality when it comes to our halves? If the NRL is shifting toward a more fullback-style halves combination, is it worth giving TT a shot or seriously pursuing Kini not just as a fullback but also as a half option? Boyd is much more traditional—I don't see him as a ball-runner at all. So, will the Warriors follow the Storm and Panthers in adopting this new style, or will we double down on a traditional halves pairing, hoping that the old approach still holds and this trend is just a passing phase?

I personally would like to see us attempt it because when expectations are already quite low, the downsides of risk are always lower.

Side note: To piggy back off of mr Tookey 2.0 and Mr. Brownstone 's pleasantries. I'd say outside of warriors spesfic interviews this is probably a recomended listening for recruitment in general. As that is all they talk about here, it's morden and lastly IMO gus is knows his shit when it comes to bringing in and mentoring young talent.

Those 3 players you mentioned in Hughes, Munster and Papenhuyzen are a pretty special quartet to try and base this reasoning on. You’ve got Hynes at sharks that’s been fullback in his career and gone to the halves, but often disappears in big moments. The example regarding origin 3 also makes me wonder if it’s the quality of the players that makes this a success where it does come off?

 

[Five&Last]

You made a comment about Kini at the top of page 162 being the most realistic Kiwi target, was there anything that led you to that belief other than the reasoning you gave regarding only playing at Rosmini first XV a few years ago? I made some comments furthermore adding to that but was deemed pointless, so wondering if what you’re saying is any more substantial? Everything you say in the first paragraph could relate to Pahulu as much as it could Kini? Is it only the connection of Kini living in Auckland until 17 or 18 that you see him as that realistic Kiwi target?

Yes because Pahulu grew up in Australia and Kini did not.

Pahulu has played Queensland Under 17 and Under 19. He views himself as an Australian (and Samoan)

 

[Tookey 2.0]

He'd be the best outcome of all if the Warriors signed him in some hypothetical dreamworld.

ApPaREntlY we DoNt tAlK hYpotheTiCAl in a Forum aye Mr. Brownstone

Ass Clown

 

[Boston Boy]

Yes because Pahulu grew up in Australia and Kini did not.

Pahulu has played Queensland Under 17 and Under 19. He views himself as an Australian (and Samoan)

I think Pahulu is Tongan a name.

 

[PhilsySH35]

Yes because Pahulu grew up in Australia and Kini did not.

Pahulu has played Queensland Under 17 and Under 19. He views himself as an Australian (and Samoan)

Good info to know - cheers!

 

[Noitall]

I think Pahulu is Tongan a name.

[URL


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7OfVP_Pwjx/


Looks like there was perhaps some cultural night at titans that Kini and Pahulu were involved in? They both in pictures on here

 

[Boston Boy]

[URL


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7OfVP_Pwjx/


Looks like there was perhaps some cultural night at titans that Kini and Pahulu were involved in? They both in pictures on here

I’m guessing he’s probably Tongan and Samoan as Pahulu is a Tongan family name. A quick search found him in a Samoan jersey and also in Tongan formal dress.

 

[Five&Last]

I think Pahulu is Tongan a name.

Well he’s Samoan but irrelevant point

My point is that he doesn’t have ties to NZ like Kini has

 

[juju]

You made a comment about Kini at the top of page 162 being the most realistic Kiwi target, was there anything that led you to that belief other than the reasoning you gave regarding only playing at Rosmini first XV a few years ago? I made some comments furthermore adding to that but was deemed pointless, so wondering if what you’re saying is any more substantial? Everything you say in the first paragraph could relate to Pahulu as much as it could Kini? Is it only the connection of Kini living in Auckland until 17 or 18 that you see him as that realistic Kiwi target?

Wasn't there talk Kini's parents weren't enamoured with the Warriors?

 

[Noitall]

Wasn't there talk Kini's parents weren't enamoured with the Warriors?

If the handling of Pahulu leaves a bitter taste, Kini and his family may become disgruntled with titans? As I’ve said on here, they’re good mates apparently. Titans have managed to extend Jojo Fifita so will be interesting to watch. I like Pahulu but I’d see what Ale has got this year and whether to extend him. They’re similar dimensions and I think Ale is in for a big year, but Kini is worth keeping an eye on for Warriors I reckon

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

ApPaREntlY we DoNt tAlK hYpotheTiCAl in a Forum aye Mr. Brownstone

Ass Clown

I said based on a couple of things I’d heard - I’m not going into further detail however that didn’t refer to lurking on other fan forums, & reading their dribble.

 

[BigUCE]

Looks like the storm have signed Setu Tu on a train and trial deal.

 

[juju]

I said based on a couple of things I’d heard - I’m not going into further detail however that didn’t refer to lurking on other fan forums, & reading their dribble.

You took a big L on this one.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

You took a big L on this one.

Why? I’ve said that, based on what I’ve heard, Brimson is at risk. You guys are all so desperate for some positive signing news that you are pivoting from Dylan Brown to Jahrome Hughes to Keano Kini & probably back to Dylan Brown shortly. Coming up with ‘intel’ from other fan forums.

 

[Fizurg]

If I was a gun team angling for a grand final this year I’d take a stab at Cheese. I bet the roosters would be willing to unload him for bugger all this season, since they clearly don’t want him and he’s out for the start of the season. Imagine being the broncos and offering him $200k for this year. Would mean coming late into the season they would have a spine of Cheese, Reynolds, Hunt and Walsh. This is the kind of play that skirts the salary cap that the good teams seem to get away with.

 

[juju]

If I was a gun team angling for a grand final this year I’d take a stab at Cheese. I bet the roosters would be willing to unload him for bugger all this season, since they clearly don’t want him and he’s out for the start of the season. Imagine being the broncos and offering him $200k for this year. Would mean coming late into the season they would have a spine of Cheese, Reynolds, Hunt and Walsh. This is the kind of play that skirts the salary cap that the good teams seem to get away with.

The issue is he's missing half the season with the knee and coming back from that injury takes time. That and he may be considered disruptive to the squad.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

The issue is he's missing half the season with the knee and coming back from that injury takes time. That and he may be considered disruptive to the squad.

Deffo, a big risk for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team who's kinda around the 8 or pushing for the finals to add him for those last 10 games or so.
Even off the bench for 20 minutes could help swing momentum in a match, and at almost no real damage to your cap I think we'll see a team take that risk, especially if there's a team who gets a few injuries.
Really hope it's not us haha

 

[Inruin]

Because people keep talking about halves pairings and now us bringing over kini a fallback into the warriors. It got me reflecting on this recent interview with gus where he was talking about morden day halves. Where he said:
"The Storm play with three fullbacks: Munster, Hughes, and Paps... Cleary and Luai ran for over 200 meters in that final game. They had to run the ball to make meters. They had to run the ball to make their plays. It wasn't Cleary's playmaking that won it; it was their physicality... Origin Game 3 had two tries at the end, both from Luai and Moses running the ball like fullbacks." - Very condenced non nauced version of about 5 mins linked above.

This made me wonder: do we have an outdated mentality when it comes to our halves? If the NRL is shifting toward a more fullback-style halves combination, is it worth giving TT a shot or seriously pursuing Kini not just as a fullback but also as a half option? Boyd is much more traditional—I don't see him as a ball-runner at all. So, will the Warriors follow the Storm and Panthers in adopting this new style, or will we double down on a traditional halves pairing, hoping that the old approach still holds and this trend is just a passing phase?

I personally would like to see us attempt it because when expectations are already quite low, the downsides of risk are always lower.

Side note: To piggy back off of mr Tookey 2.0 and Mr. Brownstone 's pleasantries. I'd say outside of warriors spesfic interviews this is probably a recomended listening for recruitment in general. As that is all they talk about here, it's morden and lastly IMO gus is knows his shit when it comes to bringing in and mentoring young talent.

Good post. Gus certainly knows his stuff. Are we far off having three fullbacks in our spine? Metcalf, though he hasnt played there, looks more like a fullback playing 6. TMM has played fullback for a period with the Broncos. And then we have CNK or TT at 1. Its actually conceivable that we could end up with a backline predominantly with fullbacks or fullback-esque players.

TT
RTS
Ali
CNK
DWZ
LM
TMM

6 out of 7.....

I think the main point that should be made is the different number of points of attack in the Storm and Panthers teams versus others trying to compete.

2023 we revolved around SJ and probably flattered to deceive a bit that season relying on our right shift to DWZ a lot.

Panthers and Storm have more options and don't rely so much on the one player.

 

[Matiunz]

So… no signings then?

 

[j_p]

So… no signings then?

Only hypothetical ones...