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	✔	✔	✔
	Morgan Harper	✔
12	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
20	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
21	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
22	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
23	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
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	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

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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[BangBro's (still banging)]

I have put the video up before, young Kiwi boy that the cowboys have signed until 2026 I think?
I would pay overs for him, not sure he is in the same category as Ponga etc, but I think he has the potential to develop into an RTS level player at minimum.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdn93wMZbyQ

Is he like Walsh in the sense that he could walk straight into a starting position?

 

[Boston Boy]

Is he like Walsh in the sense that he could walk straight into a starting position?

I definitely think he could handle a wing spot, has great speed, good in the air and seems to handle contact average to good. Not a bad place to develop a young fullback. I would tell the family we want him to be one of the faces of the club and throw BIG dollars at him. In my opinion we missed a trick, he seems a fair bit better than Capper. Capper seems ok, but doesn't have the pace to break through the tackle or finish long range, looks like this kid has it all.

To get him off the Cowboys will be tough I would think. Imagine having Kalyn Ponga and the Hammer and losing them both. They will want him to sign long term this year before he potentially goes to market. Someone needs to get in his ear.

 

[Noitall]

We let Setu Tu go after promoting him part way through the year too. Think it must have been to accommodate RTS on the wing and Montoya too good as depth and had a taker? Think we must be looking at depth centre/wing?

 

[Bevosa]

We should see if someone like Blake Wilson from the Dogs would be keen to come over, he has been really solid on the wing every chance he's had and is probably behind Kiraz and Montoya. We have released 3 contracted players to the dogs in the last 2 years, surly we are owed one.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We should see if someone like Blake Wilson from the Dogs would be keen to come over, he has been really solid on the wing every chance he's had and is probably behind Kiraz and Montoya. We have released 3 contracted players to the dogs in the last 2 years, surly we are owed one.

Good footy player, he's a smart winger.

 

[Beastmode]

Because he was blocking Ed Kosi’s pathway on the wing?

 

[1995 Sufra!]

Because he was blocking Ed Kosi’s pathway on the wing?

Off course I’m such a dumb arse

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I have put the video up before, young Kiwi boy that the cowboys have signed until 2026 I think?
I would pay overs for him, not sure he is in the same category as Ponga etc, but I think he has the potential to develop into an RTS level player at minimum.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdn93wMZbyQ

Reminds me of the Kahu Capper highlights reel before Kahu came here lol. Similar build too. How old is he? He looks like a 2 - 4 year project? Def has all the skills! We don't have that time to wait? Def need some experience now.

How long is his contract with the cows?

 

[Dolphin warrior]

Reminds me of the Kahu Capper highlights reel before Kahu came here lol. Similar build too. How old is he? He looks like a 2 - 4 year project? Def has all the skills! We don't have that time to wait? Def need some experience now.

How long is his contract with the cows?

What about Val TeWhare
Still has something to prove in NRL

 

[Dolphin warrior]

Long time supporter , first time poster
What about Val TeWhare

 

[Wrighty]

Long time supporter , first time poster
What about Val TeWhare

Hasn't been through pre-season so won't be NRL fit - but who knows

 

[WA Warrior]

Long time supporter , first time poster
What about Val TeWhare

Hey mate.
Got my doubts over him, Bennet couldn’t get the best from him so I’m a bit sceptical.
Looks very fit in Japan though.

 

[tajhay]

Hasn't been through pre-season so won't be NRL fit - but who knows

View: https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby.com.au/video/7451379912432209160


View: https://www.tiktok.com/@rugby.com.au/video/7466629326067223826?q=valynce%20te%20whare&t=1739174024965

 

[Wrighty]

Slack defending. Slack standard of rugby, He won't be NRL fit..

 

[tajhay]

Slack defending. Slack standard of rugby, He won't be NRL fit..

thought you would be able to spot the difference in his physique from the two videos shown. He has lost a LOT of weight. He never looked remotely that trim whilst in the NRL. He looks fitter than some starting wingers we saw on the weekend. And has far more ability.

 

[Wrighty]

thought you would be able to spot the difference in his physique from the two videos shown. He has lost a LOT of weight. He has never looked remotely that trim whilst in the NRL.

OK.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

What about Val TeWhare
Still has something to prove in NRL

He's looking better than ever, Physically. Wouldn't moan if the club was looking at him.
Just worried that if Bennett couldn't get him to fire on the regular, what's webby gonna do?

Welcome first time poster! Good to hear from you Val! Jokes! Welcome bro.

 

[Stgeorgenz]

Just thinking out loud. Is Dane Gagai a chance? Potentially Knights need to shed some more cap space and I'd say he'd be on a fair whack. Currently plays for the Maori's All Stars. Fits the bill of experienced outside back.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Just thinking out loud. Is Dane Gagai a chance? Potentially Knights need to shed some more cap space and I'd say he'd be on a fair whack. Currently plays for the Maori's All Stars. Fits the bill of experienced outside back.

That would be pretty nek level, although I just looked and he's 34 lol. Cant believe he's that old!

Edit: just saw he has 2025 and 2026 with Knights and a mutual option for 2027.

I don't think we'd be dumb enough to pick that contract up, he'd nearly be 37 at the end of 2027...

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I absolutely hate Morgan Harper, He must have the most punchable face in the NRL surely???

Most punchable face is a thread on its own.

DCE
Liam Martin
Luai
Heaps more