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	T
-	Motu Pasikala	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

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: 23/30
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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[Worried2Death]

Keep the faith Wrighty. We’ve got a chunk of change to spend, someone will be in their mind

I'm with him, my biggest fear is these are Webby's halves

 

[Wrighty]

Maybe 5 and Last is correct and the ACL issue was the concern. Here are some facts from Chat GPT comparing ACL to MCL injuries

In the context of an NRL rugby league player, ACL injuries (anterior cruciate ligament) are generally more concerning than MCL injuries (medial collateral ligament), though both are significant. Here’s why:

ACL Injuries:​

• Severity: ACL injuries often require surgical reconstruction and have a longer recovery time (usually 6-12 months) compared to MCL injuries.
• Impact on Career: Repeated ACL injuries can lead to chronic instability in the knee and a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis, which may shorten a player's career.
• Performance: The ACL is critical for pivoting, cutting, and rapid directional changes—key movements in rugby league. Even after successful surgery, some players may struggle to return to pre-injury performance levels.
• Re-Injury Risk: There's a moderate risk of reinjury after an ACL reconstruction, particularly in high-impact sports like rugby league.

MCL Injuries:​

• Severity: MCL injuries are often less severe and can frequently be treated without surgery, using bracing and rehabilitation. Recovery time is usually 4-12 weeks, depending on the grade of the injury.
• Impact on Career: MCL injuries are less likely to result in long-term instability or chronic knee issues compared to ACL injuries.
• Performance: While MCL injuries can temporarily affect performance, players typically recover fully and return to their previous level of play.

Bottom Line:​

An ACL injury history is more troubling for an NRL player due to the higher likelihood of surgery, prolonged recovery, and potential long-term effects on performance and knee stability. That said, multiple or severe MCL injuries can also cause issues, particularly if they occur alongside other ligament damage.

 

[Worried2Death]

The only glimmer of hope I have is that Boyd get's named to partner Metcalf and proves to be a revelation.

Let's just hope he inherited his father's top 2 inches and not the bottom 2.

 

[Noitall]

I'm with him, my biggest fear is these are Webby's halves

Halves seems like an area we’re surely looking into? Perhaps fullback?

 

[Wrighty]

Is there any chance Cam George is straight lying to the interviewer and the fans as he wants to fly under the radar of the other competing NRL teams?

 

[Worried2Death]

Halves seems like an area we’re surely looking into? Perhaps fullback?

Wonder how Joey Manu's enjoying Japan, if not he might want a lifeline? Probably is, selfish bastard.

 

[Wrighty]

Wonder how Joey Manu's enjoying Japan, if not he might want a lifeline. Probly is, selfish bastard.

Le Rooster one step ahead there and are going to hold their 30th spot for him all of the 2025 season with the idea he returns after the rugby season in time for the playoffs.

 

[Noitall]

Is there any chance Cam George is straight lying to the interviewer and the fans as he wants to fly under the radar of the other competing NRL teams?

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFCSuhXT5EV/


Got no idea but I’d imagine Warriors would be taking a fairly cautious approach after having tampering allegations against them last time they pursued Dylan Brown? It all was a bit odd too how his manager went about the leaked email as these guys mention

 

[Riz]

Is there any chance Cam George is straight lying to the interviewer and the fans as he wants to fly under the radar of the other competing NRL teams?

The Wahs back office have the tightest lips in the comp, Cam George will deny anything until it's set in stone.

 

[Brightman]

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!

Well said! This is the big picture, the question is can we get a deal done which will also be a BIG marker for the management of the club..

 

[Makasene]

I really don't see us going all in on a marquee half.

Our strategy looks to be overloading on junior halves in the hopes we can develop our own.

Now, I'm not saying it would be a bad idea to go and spend a milly on a half. But, it would seem counterproductive to our current strategy.

The only negative of playing the long game is you have to play the long game

 

[Noitall]

I really don't see us going all in on a marquee half.

Our strategy looks to be overloading on junior halves in the hopes we can develop our own.

Now, I'm not saying it would be a bad idea to go and spend a milly on a half. But, it would seem counterproductive to our current strategy.

The only negative of playing the long game is you have to play the long game

Does seem odd that none of our halves are signed beyond 2026, and we don’t seem to be extending our most experienced one in TMM? Seems like the forward pack is set, so could only really see recruitment in the backs as feasible? Potentially halves, fullback or wing could be of desire depending on who plays where?

 

[SouthernWorrier]

Looks like the club is standing by a Melbourne / Panthers approach of not paying overs. Primarily develop + recruit selectively + don't pay overs.

DB & Leo are good... but not great.

Supply & demand right now in their positions mean they're seeking (and got/likely to get) 'great' money.

Beats the hell out of the desperation of the past and critical for us to get a balanced and strong team who can become top 8 regulars and threaten for premiership ... even if that means another underwhelming year in the short term.

I'm reassured and I hope they hold the course.

 

[Woofa]

Looks like the club is standing by a Melbourne / Panthers approach of not paying overs. Primarily develop + recruit selectively + don't pay overs.

DB & Leo are good... but not great.

Supply & demand right now in their positions mean they're seeking (and got/likely to get) 'great' money.

Beats the hell out of the desperation of the past and critical for us to get a balanced and strong team who can become top 8 regulars and threaten for premiership ... even if that means another underwhelming year in the short term.

I'm reassured and I hope they hold the course.

Yeah if Melb & Panthers do it we 100% know its the right way to do things!! Id take DB if he really wanted to be here.. happy to take $1M so he can be in NZ and with JFH etc.. but if he is trying to get hero money out of any sucker, then not keen. I truly think Metcalfe will be great, Boyd a great controller of our game and TMM could have a breakout year also without SJ confusing him. How and who starts is anyones guess.. we all know zero chance we finish the season with all 3 fit anyway.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFCSuhXT5EV/


Got no idea but I’d imagine Warriors would be taking a fairly cautious approach after having tampering allegations against them last time they pursued Dylan Brown? It all was a bit odd too how his manager went about the leaked email as these guys mention

No need to worry anymore as he's free to talk!

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I've completely changed my mind on Dylan Brown, I do want him to come here at that price tag to play six, not halfback!

And I would use him to lure Hughes over also. Then go cheap on fullback and DH.

Who am I kidding, I want a shiny new toy!

 

[Fizurg]

If the RTS to lock rumours are true. Does that change our recruitment at all?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

If the RTS to lock rumours are true. Does that change our recruitment at all?

Oosh I wasn't aware of this - I know Roger mentioned a potential new role, but has lock actually been discussed?

Tbh not sure how I feel about that haha

 

[WA Warrior]

Oosh I wasn't aware of this - I know Roger mentioned a potential new role, but has lock actually been discussed?

Tbh not sure how I feel about that haha

He hasn’t got the physicality or Defence to defend in the middle.
This would be madness, he looked like he has trimmed down aswell.
Can’t see it happening.

 

[Inruin]

If the RTS to lock rumours are true. Does that change our recruitment at all?

Where is this rumour? I know it was joked about on here.