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	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: 28/30
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, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Dylan Walker

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[Playdaball]

TSS now in the top 30 … I guess no front rower being signed to replace Zyon Maiu’u.
Hopefully they can get a n outside back but not sure if it’ll happen

Contract upgrades for young duo

One New Zealand Warriors Tanner Stowers-Smith and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava given upgrades.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[tajhay]

TSS now in the top 30 … I guess no front rower being signed to replace Zyon Maiu’u.
Hopefully they can get a n outside back but not sure if it’ll happen

Phil Gould when reviewing the Warriors did mention that the club has been calling out all the clubs asking for an outside back. Either no club wants to let go off players the warriors want/players dont want to leave.

 

[Playdaball]

Phil Gould when reviewing the Warriors did mention that the club has been calling out all the clubs asking for an outside back. Either no club wants to let go off players the warriors want/players dont want to leave.

Should we be looking at rugby union?

 

[france]

Should we be looking at rugby union?

yep why not ,sometimes you see some rugby players that play like R/League players

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Should we be looking at rugby union?

If they have had a league background then maybe. I still remember watching Nawaqanitawase getting pushed into position by his Roosters team mates in his first game. Warbrick took awhile to come right as well.

 

[Defence]

Should we be looking at rugby union?

Too late to be teaching someone a new sport now- season starts next week.

 

[Playdaball]

Too late to be teaching someone a new sport now- season starts next week.

True, I still think a RU player will be better than Edward Kosi.

 

[CWC]

Even Ken Maumalo rejected us?

 

[BuntyAppreciationSociety]

Phil Gould when reviewing the Warriors did mention that the club has been calling out all the clubs asking for an outside back. Either no club wants to let go off players the warriors want/players dont want to leave.

I wonder about Deine Mariner at the Broncos. He was a starter last season. Now it looks like Shibasaki is starting ahead of him. Not only that, Shibasaki has had his contract upgraded. That makes no sense as Deine is twice the player. I wonder if they're willing to let us take him so they can re-sign Cobbo. Just a theory I have...but if it's right, he would be an awesome addition. Covers centre and wing and has speed to burn.

 

[CWC]

Not even Cup wingers?

 

[Boston Boy]

I wonder about Deine Mariner at the Broncos. He was a starter last season. Now it looks like Shibasaki is starting ahead of him. Not only that, Shibasaki has had his contract upgraded. That makes no sense as Deine is twice the player. I wonder if they're willing to let us take him so they can re-sign Cobbo. Just a theory I have...but if it's right, he would be an awesome addition. Covers centre and wing and has speed to burn.

I would think Deine Mariner is wanted at the Broncs. He is an absolute gun though and if there is a sniff of an opportunity this suggestion is a great idea. I didn't think of him, but I would think a big contract offer for him like $500k moving upto $650k should be offered to him, he's worth every penny. The Broncos will have to let a couple go. Very very fast, great centre or wing. Is a developing strike centre and with Ali Leiataua developing all of a sudden we become very dangerous. We should go hard after him I say.

Our current approach of developing good juniors etc and hard workers is great but we need a couple of young up and coming stars - go hard for Deine Mariner (local) and Mason Barber. Pay overs, they will be worth it 100%. It will give us major Xfactor which is needed.

SOMEONE UP AT HQ PLEASE DO IT HAHA.

JUST CHECKED MARINERS HIS CONTRACT AND HE IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL END OF 2027 REALISTICALLY 2028. WE CAN STILL SEE IF THE BRONCS WANT HIM.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I wonder about Deine Mariner at the Broncos. He was a starter last season. Now it looks like Shibasaki is starting ahead of him. Not only that, Shibasaki has had his contract upgraded. That makes no sense as Deine is twice the player. I wonder if they're willing to let us take him so they can re-sign Cobbo. Just a theory I have...but if it's right, he would be an awesome addition. Covers centre and wing and has speed to burn.

Mariner was a big reason Broncos went so poorly last year, they continually got burnt on their edge defence because of him. If it’s only attack we’re interested in then yeah he’s a good first grader. However surely we’ve learnt from DWZ that there’s more to the game than just scoring tries.

 

[Boston Boy]

Mariner was a big reason Broncos went so poorly last year, they continually got burnt on their edge defence because of him. If it’s only attack we’re interested in then yeah he’s a good first grader. However surely we’ve learnt from DWZ that there’s more to the game than just scoring tries.

Really? I noticed a couple of defensive errors through the year but I didn't watch the Broncos much. Worst case he goes to the wing which I remember he defended decently.

 

[Jonesy69]

Rising star opens up on Warriors move and NRL aspirations

He has moved to the club’s development list for 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[juju]

I wonder about Deine Mariner at the Broncos. He was a starter last season. Now it looks like Shibasaki is starting ahead of him. Not only that, Shibasaki has had his contract upgraded. That makes no sense as Deine is twice the player. I wonder if they're willing to let us take him so they can re-sign Cobbo. Just a theory I have...but if it's right, he would be an awesome addition. Covers centre and wing and has speed to burn.

I don't think that would be on the Broncs radar after just losing Hayze Perham and his versatility to a ruptured ACL.

Mariners dad is not a fan of the club either despite featuring in the video all those years back.

 

[Canonball]

I don't think that would be on the Broncs radar after just losing Hayze Perham and his versatility to a ruptured ACL.

Mariners dad is not a fan of the club either despite featuring in the video all those years back.

Throw it back:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58-GyBA7Kz0

 

[sup42]

The solution to the Warriors outside backs issue is obvious.

CNK and Roger to play wing.

That would alleviate the loss of DWZ by having two great Wingers that can defend, can return the ball from the back of the field and can tackle.

This also allows for the use of Taine at the back, meaning we have gone from a shakey backline to a very strong backline featuring the very best of all our talent.

That backline (one move, CNK right wing) would match any in the NRL for workrate, quality and ball handling skill, yes wingers that pass are deadly and under used at the Warriors, having a wing draw and pass to a center back on the inside is something the Warriors have been terrible at. Having two wingers that can draw and pass back on the inside would make our edges really dangerous.

I know Roger and CNK are not lightening fast, but neither are they slow, and both have a lot of experience at chiming in as fullbacks in set plays.

No need to pay overs chasing the "Ronaldos" no need to reinvent the wheel and make it complicated with Union players.

Simply move CNK to the wing, I would challenge anyone to explain how a Warriors backline that has RTS, CNK, and TT in it is not our strongest configuration out wide.

But most of all, having the experience and expertise of Roger and CNK outside of our centers means the club could risk playing two young Centers in leiataua and Ieremia who would then have the benefit of direction from CNK and RTS while they bed in.

Put CNK on the wing and in doing so solve multiple problems and open new doors for the Center positions and fullback.


Our whole territory model relies on the back three returning the ball hard, and our middle game relies on fast props and middles rolling off Egan quick service.

CNK and RTS would arguably be an upgrade on Montoya and DWZ in that regard.

 

[PhilsySH35]

The solution to the Warriors outside backs issue is obvious.

CNK and Roger to play wing.

That would alleviate the loss of DWZ by having two great Wingers that can defend, can return the ball from the back of the field and can tackle.

This also allows for the use of Taine at the back, meaning we have gone from a shakey backline to a very strong backline featuring the very best of all our talent.

That backline (one move, CNK right wing) would match any in the NRL for workrate, quality and ball handling skill, yes wingers that pass are deadly and under used at the Warriors, having a wing draw and pass to a center back on the inside is something the Warriors have been terrible at. Having two wingers that can draw and pass back on the inside would make our edges really dangerous.

I know Roger and CNK are not lightening fast, but neither are they slow, and both have a lot of experience at chiming in as fullbacks in set plays.

No need to pay overs chasing the "Ronaldos" no need to reinvent the wheel and make it complicated with Union players.

Simply move CNK to the wing, I would challenge anyone to explain how a Warriors backline that has RTS, CNK, and TT in it is not our strongest configuration out wide.

But most of all, having the experience and expertise of Roger and CNK outside of our centers means the club could risk playing two young Centers in leiataua and Ieremia who would then have the benefit of direction from CNK and RTS while they bed in.

Put CNK on the wing and in doing so solve multiple problems and open new doors for the Center positions and fullback.


Our whole territory model relies on the back three returning the ball hard, and our middle game relies on fast props and middles rolling off Egan quick service.

CNK and RTS would arguably be an upgrade on Montoya and DWZ in that regard.

this could be it...KISS, keep it simple stupid! what's that adage the skill is in making something complicated look "simple" reckon this is it. also listening to podcasts about tom hazleton from sharkies just using us to drive up his negotiation, however the cost of flying over to mt smart surely indicates something else on his agenda...signing for the wahz!!!! or am I just clutching at straws - dam you sharkies, first that bloody short-arse half back, little annoying bugger forgot his name (the one who had the most annoying ocker accent ever), and then chad towsend left us and hen rudy flipped on us (I will never forgive him, a prop forward would never do that, but those flash harry winger types would), then to top it off the premier-est prop afb left us to the sharkies WTF!!! - I'm seriously starting to get a complex about cronulla-sutherland sharks, we will crush you when we next meet with flair and our humungus forward pack! or will we???

 

[run_it_str8_again]

The solution to the Warriors outside backs issue is obvious.

CNK and Roger to play wing.

That would alleviate the loss of DWZ by having two great Wingers that can defend, can return the ball from the back of the field and can tackle.

This also allows for the use of Taine at the back, meaning we have gone from a shakey backline to a very strong backline featuring the very best of all our talent.

That backline (one move, CNK right wing) would match any in the NRL for workrate, quality and ball handling skill, yes wingers that pass are deadly and under used at the Warriors, having a wing draw and pass to a center back on the inside is something the Warriors have been terrible at. Having two wingers that can draw and pass back on the inside would make our edges really dangerous.

I know Roger and CNK are not lightening fast, but neither are they slow, and both have a lot of experience at chiming in as fullbacks in set plays.

No need to pay overs chasing the "Ronaldos" no need to reinvent the wheel and make it complicated with Union players.

Simply move CNK to the wing, I would challenge anyone to explain how a Warriors backline that has RTS, CNK, and TT in it is not our strongest configuration out wide.

But most of all, having the experience and expertise of Roger and CNK outside of our centers means the club could risk playing two young Centers in leiataua and Ieremia who would then have the benefit of direction from CNK and RTS while they bed in.

Put CNK on the wing and in doing so solve multiple problems and open new doors for the Center positions and fullback.


Our whole territory model relies on the back three returning the ball hard, and our middle game relies on fast props and middles rolling off Egan quick service.

CNK and RTS would arguably be an upgrade on Montoya and DWZ in that regard.

RTS I'm in agreement. But I like CNK to be more a playmaker than finisher.

Moala on wing? Has good temperament in my opinion for the role.

 

[Zaggo]

To me it just reinforces that Berry isn’t coming back at least this season.

They've just posted a photo of him at training. I reckon he'll be back sooner rather than later.