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	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔
24	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
25	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
26	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔
28	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
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	?
-	Motu Pasikala	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: 28/30
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, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker

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[The Warrior Waka]

Some posters on here have noted that Tallan Egan is looking impressive this offseason. Jersey Flegg Fullback/6 who will probably feature in NSW Cup too

Hope Jack Thompson sticks around & cracks it too. That kid looks the goods.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yes but I don't recall you backing any acquisition except for captain obvious ones like AFB.
Me and Bruce were the only posters on the forum who backed us taking DWZ off the bulldogs and to be fair he played like shit for them. But Bruce i knew that he had gunned it for the Kiwis and would therefore lift for the NZ Warriors. He is the grandson of a Great Chieftain and we pointed that out and were met with derision. Yet he has been an outstanding buy for the Warriors and he was a big part of our big run in 2023.

What do you want a fucken medal! (love you wrighty)

 

[Five&Last]

Hope Jack Thompson sticks around & cracks it too. That kid looks the goods.

He should be announced as starting for the SG ball side this week. Such a gun

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

He should be announced as starting for the SG ball side this week. Such a gun

When are those teams named?

 

[Five&Last]

Some posters on here have noted that Tallan Egan is looking impressive this offseason. Jersey Flegg Fullback/6 who will probably feature in NSW Cup too

Also heard this and interested to see it. You could tell he had high IQ but still looked pretty pedestrian last year.

 

[Five&Last]

When are those teams named?

First game this weekend I believe so should be named during the week

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Yes but I don't recall you backing any acquisition except for captain obvious ones like AFB.
Me and Bruce were the only posters on the forum who backed us taking DWZ off the bulldogs and to be fair he played like shit for them. But Bruce i knew that he had gunned it for the Kiwis and would therefore lift for the NZ Warriors. He is the grandson of a Great Chieftain and we pointed that out and were met with derision. Yet he has been an outstanding buy for the Warriors and he was a big part of our big run in 2023.

not true, I backed him and Monty who just about NO-ONE backed. But easier to criticise than back a risky play. - I've been guilty of that

 

[BuntyAppreciationSociety]

Gidday fam. It's been a long time between posts, but I've just been reading the Dylan Brown and general halves chats on here and thought I'd lend my view on it.

First off, Brown is looking for his big Kayln Ponga payday. He's the incumbent Kiwis 6, and in the next contract will be the prime of his career. With Brad Arthur sacked (who I heard he was quite close to), I think that's his motivation. And with clubs like the Dolphins sitting on a stack of cash and the Roosters basically ready to plug him into a spine of Robson, Walker and Teddy – that's an auction you don't want to raise your paddle in, if you ask me.

So while I think the price is wrong for us, I don't necessarily believe that he's the wrong type of player. It's my belief that the club wants to turn Metcalf into a long-term 7 for us. He came through the grades as one, and it's only because he's fast and played second fiddle to dominant halves so far that people say he can't do it. Mitch Moses made the transition in a similar stage in his career and complimented Brown perfectly. Having said that, we don't know how successful this transition will be for Luke, so going in on Brown is a long shot.

For us to have long term success, we need to give our development system time to bring through a core group of talented players (particularly spine players) that want to stay together in NZ to win a comp – and that could mean taking less money. People forget we had no development sides during covid, and our junior grades have only just entered the Aus comps. In reality we could be waiting a few seasons to see the shoots. This means we probably aren't going to win any comps for a few years. To do that you need a really confident, settled and experienced spine that knows how to get the close ones nailed. And unless you're the roosters, you need to grow that.

Personally I think Metcalf is in for a breakout season, and have no question that he can transition into a very good halfback if he stays fit. Te Maire would be a great foil for him at 6 with much-needed experience and a good short kicking game.

But that's me. Keep an eye out for my sign at the Sharks trial. I'll be on the bank!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Bunty's main man above raises an excellent point about how Brown is one of the incumbent Kiwi halves.

If we are realistic with our expectations, who are we willing to throw $$1 million + to that would come to NZ and be happy to be the marquee man and face of our team for the next 8-10 years who already is in the Origin or International arena?

There's f**k all players - let alone halves or spine players - that fit the bill. And it's only going to get more challenging over the next few years with more teams added to the comp.

If 200k a year is the difference between Brown being the poster boy for our team for the next 8 years or so, I really hope we pull the trigger. We've paid overs for the vast majority of our big stars over the years - what's another 200k?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Bunty's main man above raises an excellent point about how Brown is one of the incumbent Kiwi halves.

If we are realistic with our expectations, who are we willing to throw $$1 million + to that would come to NZ and be happy to be the marquee man and face of our team for the next 8-10 years who already is in the Origin or International arena?

There's f**k all players - let alone halves or spine players - that fit the bill. And it's only going to get more challenging over the next few years with more teams added to the comp.

If 200k a year is the difference between Brown being the poster boy for our team for the next 8 years or so, I really hope we pull the trigger. We've paid overs for the vast majority of our big stars over the years - what's another 200k?

I'm sure the club are looking into this, they tried to get him before, I don't see what would have changed since then?

 

[juju]

Gidday fam. It's been a long time between posts, but I've just been reading the Dylan Brown and general halves chats on here and thought I'd lend my view on it.

First off, Brown is looking for his big Kayln Ponga payday. He's the incumbent Kiwis 6, and in the next contract will be the prime of his career. With Brad Arthur sacked (who I heard he was quite close to), I think that's his motivation. And with clubs like the Dolphins sitting on a stack of cash and the Roosters basically ready to plug him into a spine of Robson, Walker and Teddy – that's an auction you don't want to raise your paddle in, if you ask me.

So while I think the price is wrong for us, I don't necessarily believe that he's the wrong type of player. It's my belief that the club wants to turn Metcalf into a long-term 7 for us. He came through the grades as one, and it's only because he's fast and played second fiddle to dominant halves so far that people say he can't do it. Mitch Moses made the transition in a similar stage in his career and complimented Brown perfectly. Having said that, we don't know how successful this transition will be for Luke, so going in on Brown is a long shot.

For us to have long term success, we need to give our development system time to bring through a core group of talented players (particularly spine players) that want to stay together in NZ to win a comp – and that could mean taking less money. People forget we had no development sides during covid, and our junior grades have only just entered the Aus comps. In reality we could be waiting a few seasons to see the shoots. This means we probably aren't going to win any comps for a few years. To do that you need a really confident, settled and experienced spine that knows how to get the close ones nailed. And unless you're the roosters, you need to grow that.

Personally I think Metcalf is in for a breakout season, and have no question that he can transition into a very good halfback if he stays fit. Te Maire would be a great foil for him at 6 with much-needed experience and a good short kicking game.

But that's me. Keep an eye out for my sign at the Sharks trial. I'll be on the bank!

Legendary sign!
Bunty for the Dally M 2025

 

[BuntyAppreciationSociety]

Bunty's main man above raises an excellent point about how Brown is one of the incumbent Kiwi halves.

If we are realistic with our expectations, who are we willing to throw $$1 million + to that would come to NZ and be happy to be the marquee man and face of our team for the next 8-10 years who already is in the Origin or International arena?

There's f**k all players - let alone halves or spine players - that fit the bill. And it's only going to get more challenging over the next few years with more teams added to the comp.

If 200k a year is the difference between Brown being the poster boy for our team for the next 8 years or so, I really hope we pull the trigger. We've paid overs for the vast majority of our big stars over the years - what's another 200k?

I'm sure the club are looking into this, they tried to get him before, I don't see what would have changed since then?

We were more desperate then. Kearney was the coach and we had real trouble signing anyone.

 

[Dangerous]

Was just watching a podcast on youtube with Cam George he advised that no one at the Warriors has spoken to Dylan Brown or his agent about the future. So all this talk about DB is pure rumor & unless we here otherwise looks like we aren't interested, which makes sense as hes not a huge upgrade on TMM or Metcalf at least not for the money being
asked

 

[Damo]

Was just watching a podcast on youtube with Cam George he advised that no one at the Warriors has spoken to Dylan Brown or his agent about the future. So all this talk about DB is pure rumor & unless we here otherwise looks like we aren't interested, which makes sense as hes not a huge upgrade on TMM or Metcalf at least not for the money being
asked

We must have the same algorithm, good watch for everyone else:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz9DmA5BZ0g&t=1002s&ab_channel=LeagueofInches

 

[Cces]

Regarding Metcalf, the comparison to Moses by @BuntyAppreciationSociety took my interest. A closer look showed Moses was averaging 210m off the boot as a #6 in 2017 before his mid season switch to Parra. Metcalf currently has a career high of 93m in a game and has kicked for less than 21m in 7 out of his 19 games at the Warriors. Brown might be a mediocre kicker but Metcalf is currently well behind him

 

[Damo]

Regarding Metcalf, the comparison to Moses by @BuntyAppreciationSociety took my interest. A closer look showed Moses was averaging 210m off the boot as a #6 in 2017 before his mid season switch to Parra. Metcalf currently has a career high of 93m in a game and has kicked for less than 21m in 7 out of his 19 games at the Warriors. Brown might be a mediocre kicker but Metcalf is currently well behind him

In the NSW Cup though:
Averaged 198.79m for the Jets in 2022 from 13 games
Averaged 240.9m for us in 2023/2024 from 3 games.

 

[BuntyAppreciationSociety]

Regarding Metcalf, the comparison to Moses by @BuntyAppreciationSociety took my interest. A closer look showed Moses was averaging 210m off the boot as a #6 in 2017 before his mid season switch to Parra. Metcalf currently has a career high of 93m in a game and has kicked for less than 21m in 7 out of his 19 games at the Warriors. Brown might be a mediocre kicker but Metcalf is currently well behind him

yes, but he was playing alongside SJ who demanded way more of the ball. He was given the ball as a second option, where he kicked down the corridor. Definitely has a long boot. But I'm the first to admit that he's not at the level yet. But of all of our halves, he's the only one capable of it. And I would expect that he's been training with that role in mind this season, which would be different to his roles previously. In that regard, previous stats probably aren't indicative of future ones.

 

[Damo]

yes, but he was playing alongside SJ who demanded way more of the ball. He was given the ball as a second option, where he kicked down the corridor. Definitely has a long boot. But I'm the first to admit that he's not at the level yet. But of all of our halves, he's the only one capable of it. And I would expect that he's been training with that role in mind this season, which would be different to his roles previously. In that regard, previous stats probably aren't indicative of future ones.

Yep, any statistics next to SJ are pretty much irrelevant especially in regards to kicking metres.

 

[Wrighty]

Was just watching a podcast on youtube with Cam George he advised that no one at the Warriors has spoken to Dylan Brown or his agent about the future. So all this talk about DB is pure rumor & unless we here otherwise looks like we aren't interested, which makes sense as hes not a huge upgrade on TMM or Metcalf at least not for the money being
asked

Maybe that is that then. Bit of excitement while the speculation was on. You would think if George just didn't want to give any clues he would say "no comment" but he seemed to clearly say no in this video. I will wait a week or so to see if any other noise pops up but chances seem slim at present.

Not sure why the Warriors didn't chase this. Must have been the price tag and confidence in CHT/TMM/Metcalf/Boyd.

If Webster did "back" those four then he whatever happens from here is his choice as far as his career longevity goes.

 

[Inruin]

Maybe that is that then. Bit of excitement while the speculation was on. You would think if George just didn't want to give any clues he would say "no comment" but he seemed to clearly say no in this video. I will wait a week or so to see if any other noise pops up but chances seem slim at present.

Not sure why the Warriors didn't chase this. Must have been the price tag and confidence in CHT/TMM/Metcalf/Boyd.

If Webster did "back" those four then he whatever happens from here is his choice as far as his career longevity goes.

They may have identified that a 7 is the priority and spending that much coin on DB doesn't solve that. They may be keeping their powder dry for another player that does.