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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[Tohu’s_Knees]

Australia has a lack of Rugby Union talent to field a competitive 5th side.
NZ doesn't have a shortage of talent for a second side as shown by 2024 school leavers from Christchurch heading to the likes of the Storm & Broncos. Not a fair comparison for mine

Exactly.
List out the top 10 Kiwis players of the last 15 years. How many are from Auckland and/or debuted or played for the Warriors?

Joey Manu is from Tokoroa
Hughes is from Wellington
Tapine is from Wellington
JFH is from Northland.
NAS is from Wellington
Mannerings from Nelson
Tohu Harris from Hawkes Bay

Foran is from Auckland
Johnson is from Auckland
Taumalolo is from Auckland.

Honourable talent mention, Dylan Brown

The talent is absolutely out there.

 

[Defence]

I find it strange all the talk about a second NZ side in the NRL. I cannot see the point, as we cannot even provide one NZ side that is competitive. the NZ Warriors struggle, and will struggle again in 2025. Yes we have talent, but the talent we have is not enough to win the games against the top sides. And we tend to lose against other strugglers that we expect to win against. Another finish outside the top 8 I am expecting. Don't get me wrong - I have followed the Warriors from day 1. and want them to succeed, but year after year they disappoint. and a second NZ side based in Christchurch, where I live would be nice. But look what happened to Australian rugby when they brought a 5th side in. Australian rugby was weak beforehand, and even weaker with 5 sides. just too difficult to fill the squads with players up to the level required.

Its an interesting one- I often read quite compelling arguments for a chch team which make a lot of sense but whenever I speak to people from back home (chch) who are involved with the game none of them think it will work.

 

[kos]

Exactly.
List out the top 10 Kiwis players of the last 15 years. How many are from Auckland and/or debuted or played for the Warriors?

Joey Manu is from Tokoroa
Hughes is from Wellington
Tapine is from Wellington
JFH is from Northland.
NAS is from Wellington
Mannerings from Nelson
Tohu Harris from Hawkes Bay

Foran is from Auckland
Johnson is from Auckland
Taumalolo is from Auckland.

Honourable talent mention, Dylan Brown

The talent is absolutely out there.

If we add in all the Auck born players that play for Aus Tonga Samoa Auck wins in a canter

 

[Blain]

I find it strange all the talk about a second NZ side in the NRL. I cannot see the point, as we cannot even provide one NZ side that is competitive. the NZ Warriors struggle, and will struggle again in 2025. Yes we have talent, but the talent we have is not enough to win the games against the top sides. And we tend to lose against other strugglers that we expect to win against. Another finish outside the top 8 I am expecting. Don't get me wrong - I have followed the Warriors from day 1. and want them to succeed, but year after year they disappoint. and a second NZ side based in Christchurch, where I live would be nice. But look what happened to Australian rugby when they brought a 5th side in. Australian rugby was weak beforehand, and even weaker with 5 sides. just too difficult to fill the squads with players up to the level required.

It's all about the fan market, nothing to do with Rugby League and being competitive. PNG are getting a team, and possibly Perth. Both have next to no NRL level players of note. And the argument about the Warriors not winning means Christchurch shouldn't get a team - Look at Auckland FC. They are different organizations, I wouldn't expect the same results.

I do however think that Christchurch needs better Rugby League structure before coming into the NRL. Like say they are given a license in 5 years time, would be ideal to have 1 or 2 junior teams and a NSW cup side playing 2-3 years before NRL entry, with local comps feeding into those sides.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

If we add in all the Auck born players that play for Aus Tonga Samoa Auck wins in a canter

Hmmmmmmm….. (I’m kinda bored)
First of all, I have no idea how I missed Benji Marshall…….

But Auckland vs the rest of North Island from players over the last 15 years. (All in their prime)

Rest of North Island team….
1. Jordan Rapana (Wellington)
2. DWZ (Hamilton)
3. Peta Hiku (Gisboure)
4. Joey Manu (Tokoroa)
5. Will Warbrick (Kawerau)
6. Benji Marshall (Whakatāne)
7. Jahrome Hughes (Wellington)

8. JFH (Rawene)
9. Isaac Luke (Hāwera)
10. Adam Blair (Whangārei)
11. Briton Nikora (Tauranga)
12. Tohu Harris (Hastings)
13. Joesph Tapine (Wellington)

14. JMK (Whakatāne)
15. NAS (Wellington)
16. JWH (Rotorua)
17. Kevin Proctor (Te Kuiti)

I’d love to see an Auckland team vs this…….

Bonus rest of NZ team..

1. Kodi Nikorima (PN)
2. Jamayne Issako (Christchurch)
3. Lewis Brown (Christchurch)
4. Dean Whare (Rotorua)
5. Rocco Berry (Masterton)
6. Phoenix Crossland (Wellington)
7. TMM (Tokoroa)

8. Ben Matulino (Wellington)
9. Danny Levi (Wellington)
10. Russell Packer (Foxton)
11. Jeremy Smith (Christchurch)
12. Simon Mannering (Nelson)
13. Leo Thompson (Gisborne)

14 Jazz Tevaga (Christchurch)
15. Griffin Neame (Greymouth)
16. Xavier Willison (Hamilton)
17. Elijah Taylor (Hāwera)

My Ass, there’s not enough talent. Just got to find it.

 

[Chchfanatic]

I think the club would survive in chch. Lots of people with plenty of money. Some big companies originate in chch. Ryman healthcare owner Kevin Hickman is worth over $350 million.
There is definitely the talent in NZ for another team. Just need to keep all the young kids from leaving. The NRL would need to put a transfer fee on NZ kids.
NRL need to invest in NZ if they want another team.

 

[tyrael]

Hmmmmmmm….. (I’m kinda bored)
First of all, I have no idea how I missed Benji Marshall…….

But Auckland vs the rest of North Island from players over the last 15 years. (All in their prime)

Rest of North Island team….
1. Jordan Rapana (Wellington)
2. DWZ (Hamilton)
3. Peta Hiku (Gisboure)
4. Joey Manu (Tokoroa)
5. Will Warbrick (Kawerau)
6. Benji Marshall (Whakatāne)
7. Jahrome Hughes (Wellington)

8. JFH (Rawene)
9. Isaac Luke (Hāwera)
10. Adam Blair (Whangārei)
11. Briton Nikora (Tauranga)
12. Tohu Harris (Hastings)
13. Joesph Tapine (Wellington)

14. JMK (Whakatāne)
15. NAS (Wellington)
16. JWH (Rotorua)
17. Elijah Taylor (Hāwera)

I’d love to see an Auckland team vs this…….

Bonus rest of NZ team..

1. Kodi Nikorima (PN)
2. Jamayne Issako (Christchurch)
3. Lewis Brown (Christchurch)
4. Dean Whare (Rotorua)
5. Rocco Berry (Masterton)
6. Phoenix Crossland (Wellington)
7. TMM (Tokoroa)

8. Ben Matulino (Wellington)
9. Danny Levi (Wellington)
10. Russell Packer (Foxton)
11. Jordan Riki (Christchurch)
12. Simon Mannering (Nelson)
13. Leo Thompson (Gisborne)

14 Jazz Tevaga (Christchurch)
15. Griffin Neame (Greymouth)
16. Xavier Willison (Hamilton)
17. Sam Rapira (Hamilton)

My Ass, there’s not enough talent. Just got to find it.

Genuine question, when would you play this? I don't think Clubs would like it if it was on the same time as Origin. End of the year, there are test matches. Before season, no club wants to risk their players.

Don't get me wrong, I've been asking for this too, just don't know where it will fit.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Genuine question, when would you play this? I don't think Clubs would like it if it was on the same time as Origin. End of the year, there are test matches. Before season, no club wants to risk their players.

Don't get me wrong, I've been asking for this too, just don't know where it will fit.

I’d play it twice a year……
When the Warriors play an NRL team based in the South Island of NZ.
May take a bit of time to build up. But when it does……..