Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum centers on the Warriors' 2025/2026 roster planning, with significant focus on roster adjustments and player roles. Discussions highlight Erin Clark's signing #342 as a key middle-forward addition for defensive grit, though some skepticism about his ideal position persists #343. Backline restructuring dominates the dialogue, particularly Marcelo Montoya's likely departure to the Tigers for family reasons #88#232, prompting debates about shifting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to wing despite concerns over his positional fit #13#240. Fan sentiment emphasizes securing Ali Leiataua's long-term deal #192 and explores Taine Tuaupiki's viability at fullback #50#288.
Controversy arises around Josh Curran's critical exit interview, where users #69 interpret his remarks as unprofessional while acknowledging his on-field value. Recruitment targets like Leo Thompson #108 and development signings such as Sam Healey #202 suggest strategic futureproofing. Forward pack balance remains contentious, with members debating Tohu Harris's reduced role #427, Jackson Ford's utility value #404, and dissatisfaction with Marata Niukore's output relative to salary #86#378. The analysis concludes that cap management and injecting pace into the outside backs are critical priorities moving forward.

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Recruitment Strategy, Player Contracts, Backline Restructuring

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Top 30 2026: 26/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck



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Not to mention letting Afb leave a year early.
Zion leaving & Tohus retirement
Publicly coming out saying they're not chasing Leo Thompson
Publicly coming out and saying no to Dylan Brown..... barnacles
Missing out on Mulitalo
Now people on here saying to sign NAS for 900k, when Tom Hazeltons asking 600k... barnacles imho

TBH I don't have a problem with any of the above.

AFB wanted out, Zyon Maiu’u didn't kick on and has been overtaken, Tohu tried to come back, the club always keep their recruitment cards close to their chest.
 

NZWarriors.com

I am 100% against us panic buying because of DWZ's injury. A run in first grade might be the confidence boost Kosi needs to get back to 2023 form. Or might be a chance for Tuapiki to show he's a good back up option for wing and FB. Or could be a chance to give a young up and comer some game time. All of these options might bring us short term gain and certainly help balance the squad with some youth on the wing.

Better that than end up with a Staines type player we pay overs for and does nothing. Like we have in the past with legends like Nielsen, Beale, Ayshford, Jonathan Wright
 
I think on reflection, the management would concede they should have held on to Tu, especially after the release on Montoya. Although he didn't perform well last season, we are missing a experienced NSW cup level winger who can fill a hole for 5 games a season. Perhaps they think Kosi is that guy. We will need another back up winger this season, which is a shame as most clubs can rely on a development contract/young gun to fill that spot. Kali and Pasifikala didn't look ready in the trial unfortunately.

Thinking about our side, to have a guy like Taine miss the team potentially for a Kosi is completely arse about face. I would love to see a back 3 of Taine, RTS and CNK. Don't really care who plays where on attack/defense, using 3 fullbacks will get our best 3 backs on the park.
 
Why did club not ask Dogs for a wing/centre for Zyon Maiu’u or sign a replacement for Montoya? No disrespect but Kosi is not first grade winger, and he has proven that in almost every game he's played. Why is club showing so much faith in him when we can all see he is a cup player with no upside or promising potential?
I was thinking the same thing!!! Why give the dogs one of our best prospects & get nothing in return? Especially when we are in desperate need for a speedy winger.
A top club like the Melbourne Storm would never be in this position, In fact they pluck wingers from NZ rugby our own back yard & with great success. The Storm always have speedy try scoring machines on the wing & we are still trotting out players like Ed Kosi !!!!
 
You sure do, you win it for being the shittest club in the NRL. Never acceptable. Gotta give props to the warriors for never getting it considering we have by far the most disadvantages in the league. Tigers and knights getting it on repeat, while being based in Sydney, is utterly shameful.
Knights are not based in Sydney
 
Has there been any news regarding Josiah Pahulu? Specifically, something that mentions us as a potential team targeting him? Don't recall if that was just a rumour that popped up here/one that Noitall grabbed from another forum, or if it was actually in an article or something.

Just wondering since, with the Dogs getting Zyon Maiu’u, could wide open again since they were the ones in the news the most to be chasing him?

Not exactly the wing we are crying out for, but he's probably got just as good if not better wheels than some of our current outside backs if that counts for anything lol

Would take Blake Wilson,

Same, though would note that he would be in the same position if he were here- 3rd behind Roger and Dallin vs. 3rd behind Kiraz and Montoya, he probably has a better prospect of winning a starting spot over Montoya

With the way Webby bats his eyelashes at Kosi, he'd might even be 4th if he were here 🙃

Just playing devil's advocate
 
Has there been any news regarding Josiah Pahulu? Specifically, something that mentions us as a potential team targeting him? Don't recall if that was just a rumour that popped up here/one that Noitall grabbed from another forum, or if it was actually in an article or something.
Nothing to do with me that one, but for memory it was an article that seemed to mention him and Warriors because he’s from NZ and nothing more? Be interesting to keep an eye on, because it seemed like it couldn’t be salvaged at titans. Bulldogs still thinking they’ve got him for 2026
 
Thoughts on Mawene Hiroti?

Be interesting watching the All Stars match this weekend. I want to keep an eye on him starting at centre.

Could get him cheap…
Don’t know about the guy
Wahs wouldn’t won’t to lose another winger/centre this year
We ain’t go any back up!
Boysenberry i mean Rocco Berry been injured since 1995
Bring back Buck I say
WTF🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️
 
I am 100% against us panic buying because of DWZ's injury. A run in first grade might be the confidence boost Kosi needs to get back to 2023 form. Or might be a chance for Tuapiki to show he's a good back up option for wing and FB. Or could be a chance to give a young up and comer some game time. All of these options might bring us short term gain and certainly help balance the squad with some youth on the wing.

Better that than end up with a Staines type player we pay overs for and does nothing. Like we have in the past with legends like Nielsen, Beale, Ayshford, Jonathan Wright
We kinda needed more speed before he got injured to be honest.
 
    Nobody is reading this thread right now.
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