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]

Cheese got mouldy at the roosters

View attachment 10531

Would be interesting to see if storm would have him back or if burned bridges? Think his partner could be from Sydney?

 

[WA Warrior]

True but when u have someone of the mana like JFH, he'll humble you pretty quickly.

It didn’t work out playing next to JWH so I don’t think Cheese will change even if Fish got in his ear.
He’s 28 now, he’s not changing. He’s a larrikin, I actually don’t mind the guy but I don’t want him here that’s for sure.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

True but when u have someone of the mana like JFH, he'll humble you pretty quickly.

Oh shit, you convinced me! Throw the kitchen sink at him!!!

 

[Ramps]

It didn’t work out playing next to JWH so I don’t think Cheese will change even if Fish got in his ear.
He’s 28 now, he’s not changing. He’s a larrikin, I actually don’t mind the guy but I don’t want him here that’s for sure.

JWH is a loose nut just the same. Then you add Radley and being in Sydney as fuel... it was never going to go down well.

 

[WA Warrior]

JWH is a loose nut just the same.

On the field, not off it.
Talk about Mana, listen to the Rooster players and Management talk about him leaving.

 

[Ramps]

On the field, not off it.
Talk about Mana, listen to the Rooster players and Management talk about him leaving.

Fair enough. Cant be babysitting him all the time obviously but the difference of being in Bondi vs Auckland is significant. nevertheless, Egan is a walking injury and Healey hasn't played NRL (that i know of). Were always struggling to field a decent hooker or a hooker rotation at that. I reacon Cheese and Egan would compliment each other similar to his time at Storm.

 

[Damo]

Fair enough. Cant be babysitting him all the time obviously but the difference of being in Bondi vs Auckland is significant. nevertheless, Egan is a walking injury and Healey hasn't played NRL (that i know of). Were always struggling to field a decent hooker or a hooker rotation at that. I reacon Cheese and Egan would compliment each other similar to his time at Storm.

Cheese isn't even a good hooker anyway.
I have always considered him a lock/middle off the bench.

 

[Noitall]

Man he’s got some pedigree EIT. Pretty sure half brother is Dean Ieremia that was at storm and cousin of former All Black Isaia Toeava. He struggled with consistency Isaia, but I thought he was one of the most skilful players I’ve seen

 

[Ramps]

Cheese isn't even a good hooker anyway.
I have always considered him a lock/middle off the bench.

Not sure, what you're watching but from what i see, he draws a lot of attention in the middle as a huge running threat from dummy half opening up opportunities out wide. He's smart and has enough skills to capitalize on opportunities. Unfortunately, his style of play didn't really suit roosters style in my opinion.

 

[Noitall]

The big 7s youth tournament is kicking off today at Dilworth College. I’ve just driven past and already crowds are lining up.
Hopefully Cappy and his team are out there having a look.
This was the firmament that the Warriors entered a team a few years ago.
It’ll be on Sky this weekend .

Any idea what channel mate? Probably need my eyes fixed but can’t find it

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Man he’s got some pedigree EIT. Pretty sure half brother is Dean Ieremia that was at storm and cousin of former All Black Isaia Toeava. He struggled with consistency Isaia, but I thought he was one of the most skilful players I’ve seen

The only real thing I remember of him being selected as an AB for the end of year tour as a very fresh faced islander, and when they showed a clip of all the All Blacks out at dinner and Ice ordered a steak. They asked how he would like it and he replied 'large' lol.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Not sure, what you're watching but from what i see, he draws a lot of attention in the middle as a huge running threat from dummy half opening up opportunities out wide. He's smart and has enough skills to capitalize on opportunities. Unfortunately, his style of play didn't really suit roosters style in my opinion.

There’s plenty of better hookers, he’s not even average, he’s an obnoxious ignorant sloth at hooker… but def was a very good obnoxious ignorant bench middle a couple years ago. Regardless, I can’t stand him.

 

[Noitall]

The only real thing I remember of him being selected as an AB for the end of year tour as a very fresh faced islander, and when they showed a clip of all the All Blacks out at dinner and Ice ordered a steak. They asked how he would like it and he replied 'large' lol.

Thought some of his tries in the AB jersey and blues ones were some of the most skilful I’d seen individually up until then. As I said though, consistency was sometimes a bit wayward and had a bad mistake in him all the same. Was very young though

 

[Damo]

Not sure, what you're watching but from what i see, he draws a lot of attention in the middle as a huge running threat from dummy half opening up opportunities out wide. He's smart and has enough skills to capitalize on opportunities. Unfortunately, his style of play didn't really suit roosters style in my opinion.

Exactly as a running threat, he's not a good passer nor has the fitness to defend in the middle for long periods.
He's a gun 13 or middle off the bench.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Exactly as a running threat, he's not a good passer nor has the fitness to defend in the middle for long periods.
He's a gun 13 or middle off the bench.

I think just off the bench as after hooker your 13 is generally making the most tackles a game. Not sure about him as he seems more concerned about himself than the team he plays for. This may not be true but from all his interviews that is how he looks like to me.

 

[Canonball]

Not sure, what you're watching but from what i see, he draws a lot of attention in the middle as a huge running threat from dummy half opening up opportunities out wide. He's smart and has enough skills to capitalize on opportunities. Unfortunately, his style of play didn't really suit roosters style in my opinion.

not for a couple of seasons, he's been poor ... i don't even know why he's a hypothetical here - it would not be a good move to get him over

 

[Noitall]

Interesting seeing Jonah Pezet commit to storm long term over 4 years but a clause to depart should Hughes extend. They willing to loan Pezet out for 2026 should Hughes extend for a season obviously like they did with Harry Grant at tigers. It mentions in the article it safeguards both Pezet and storm should Hughes decide to leave. Get the feeling storm are seeing their window with Hughes as next season then potentially willing to move on? Would Hughes be worth throwing an offer for 2026 or too old by then?

 

[WA Warrior]

Interesting seeing Jonah Pezet commit to storm long term over 4 years but a clause to depart should Hughes extend. They willing to loan Pezet out for 2026 should Hughes extend for a season obviously like they did with Harry Grant at tigers. It mentions in the article it safeguards both Pezet and storm should Hughes decide to leave. Get the feeling storm are seeing their window with Hughes as next season then potentially willing to move on? Would Hughes be worth throwing an offer for 2026 or too old by then?

Bloody Storm hoarding players lol.
I would say too old.
I wouldn’t be signing him in advance, maybe halfway through 26 seeing how his body is holding up.

 

[Noitall]

Bloody Storm hoarding players lol.
I would say too old.
I wouldn’t be signing him in advance, maybe halfway through 26 seeing how his body is holding up.

Will interesting to keep an eye on what’s going on over there. The extension they’ve given Papenhuyzen he’s all him, Hughes and Grant able to negotiate their contract next November. Would say there’s probably something to Papenhuyzen to eels once it’s passed the time period of Ryles not allowed to poach a storm player. Hughes already on good money and would be his last chance to get a bit extra if he left for the 2025 season with many perhaps seeing him as too old past that?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Hmm I dunno, while Jahrome will be 32 at the beginning of 2027 something to consider for me is that Hughes was a late bloomer - essentially starting his career in first grade in 2017 as a 23 year old (and played fb for the first 2 years) so imo he would have less wear and tear than someone like SJ, who's played as a half in the front line since 18 years old.

I read a story that he nearly signed with the Wahs when he was homesick before Covid, so I wonder if we have a quiet word to him that wed give him a mill for 3 years starting from 2026 (he'd have to break his last year at Storm), surely that kind of money would be hard to turn down