Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Wayde Egan
9James Fisher-Harris
10Jackson Ford
11Leka Halasima
Morgan Harper
12Chanel Harris-Tavita
13Sam Healey
14Edward Kosi
15Jacob Laban
16Ali Leiataua
17Freddy Lussick
18Te Maire Martin
19Luke Metcalf
20Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
21Marata Niukore
22Adam Pompey
23Tanner Stowers-Smith
24Taine Tuaupiki
25Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
26Demitric Vaimauga
27Dylan Walker
28Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FaitialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Jett ClearyTSS
-Motu PasikalaT
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

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

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
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, Dylan Walker



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Regarding St Thomas. A word of caution. While they are top of the pops it would be a mistake to focus more closely on their players to the detriment of missing others. Need to be able to assess individual players rather than how someone performs in a well coached high performing team. Let's not forget the number of players that have looked good in a Melbourne Storm system only to be signed by another club that's left scratching their head when they don't quite work out as well in their new team.
For sure. It’s similar to signing the kids that develop earlier and dominate at age groups, vs the kids who have talent but will develop later. There’s really interesting stats on sports that have set dates for separating age groups. Professionals are far more likely to be born on months just before the cut off than just after. The older kids make all the rep teams. So they have more development and gain more confidence.
 

NZWarriors.com

I was surprised the Warriors snapped up so few from the NZ champion high school, then I thought about, the Warriors old bias towards Auckland schools and was not so surprised.
Every single talented player to come through that school in the last 4 years has signed with us.

Could you provide more details on us signing so few players from there?

They are the most widely represented school in our pathways

Two guys from the 2023 championship team are training with our fist grade squad as we speak

Jackson Stewart is the only notable loss. Probably a result of us signing Kahu Capper. Plus we have Nganatatafu Vake and Hiraka Waitai-Haenga. All in the same age/same position who are better than Stewart.

Can you name a player from that school that has actually looked decent at junior level with another NRL club post-Jordan Riki?
 
Every single talented player to come through that school in the last 4 years has signed with us.

Could you provide more details on us signing so few players from there?

They are the most widely represented school in our pathways

Two guys from the 2023 championship team are training with our fist grade squad as we speak

Jackson Stewart is the only notable loss. Probably a result of us signing Kahu Capper. Plus we have Nganatatafu Vake and Hiraka Waitai-Haenga. All in the same age/same position who are better than Stewart.

Can you name a player from that school that has actually looked decent at junior level with another NRL club post-Jordan Riki?
I like the look of Waitai -Haenga. He's a blend of SJ in running and stepping style & Laumape with the power running. Can hit too. Hope he goes well.
 
Every single talented player to come through that school in the last 4 years has signed with us.

Could you provide more details on us signing so few players from there?

They are the most widely represented school in our pathways

Two guys from the 2023 championship team are training with our fist grade squad as we speak

Jackson Stewart is the only notable loss. Probably a result of us signing Kahu Capper. Plus we have Nganatatafu Vake and Hiraka Waitai-Haenga. All in the same age/same position who are better than Stewart.

Can you name a player from that school that has actually looked decent at junior level with another NRL club post-Jordan Riki?

I am not interested in a pissing contest here. Just gave an opinion after watching all the tournament games.
 
I know there is a separate NRLW recruitment thread but bear with me.

Skip to 5:47 for the best ever lines in a new Warrior signing interview (Men and Womens which why it is here in the high profile mens thread). Hands down the all time best response to a reporter. If you are sick of the mind numbing cliche answers of the blokes game then this is your medicine.


View: https://youtu.be/bYBEr2MCghk?si=6duJv-C4mcSTvs-k
 
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Dylan Brown has a players option for 2026 and he appears to be waiting all the way to the deadline of May 2025 before making up his mind. This will allow him to get a good look at Jason Ryles and where the team is heading under his direction. It also, from our point of view, allows us to make a good impression next year, if we want to approach him as an alternative destination for 2026.
 
Dylan Brown has a players option for 2026 and he appears to be waiting all the way to the deadline of May 2025 before making up his mind. This will allow him to get a good look at Jason Ryles and where the team is heading under his direction. It also, from our point of view, allows us to make a good impression next year, if we want to approach him as an alternative destination for 2026.
He already turned us down, not sure if I want someone. I know times are different but I’d prefer he wants to come here rather than us chasing.
 
He already turned us down, not sure if I want someone. I know times are different but I’d prefer he wants to come here rather than us chasing.

I get that, but things change. It sounds like he's quite close to Fisher-Harris, and the fact that he's grown up a little in the last few years (and also Paramatta have been fairly poor lately) could see a change of heart.

If he was interested (and I highly doubt he is) we'd be mad not to consider it
 
Sometimes rightly or wrongly I read a lot into just one or two games from someone.
Metcalf looked greatly improved in terms of composure and his play making skills in his final two or three games after returning from injury. I have a small hunch he could be as good as Fogarty this year - sort of that sort of level. Not elite but a level above NRL standard.
 
    Nobody is reading this thread right now.
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