Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa✔
2Tom Ale✔
3Mitchell Barnett✔✔✔
4Rocco Berry✔✔
5Tanah Boyd✔✔
6Kurt Capewell✔✔
7Erin Clark✔✔✔
8Wayde Egan✔✔✔
9James Fisher-Harris✔✔✔✔
10Jackson Ford✔✔✔
11Leka Halasima✔✔✔
12Morgan Harper✔
13Chanel Harris-Tavita✔✔
14Sam Healey✔✔✔
15Edward Kosi✔
16Jacob Laban✔✔
17Ali Leiataua✔✔✔
18Freddy Lussick✔✔
19Te Maire Martin✔
20Luke Metcalf✔✔
21Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad✔
22Marata Niukore✔✔
23Adam Pompey✔✔✔
24Tanner Stowers-Smith✔
25Taine Tuaupiki✔✔
26Roger Tuivasa-Sheck✔✔
27Demitric Vaimauga✔✔✔✔
28Dallin Watene-Zelezniak✔✔✔
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS✔✔
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Jett ClearyTSS
-Motu PasikalaT✔✔
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: 23/30
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


This thread is solely for Warriors recruitment and retention discussion. Any posts not related to the above will be deleted.

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Last edited by a moderator:
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Beastmode said:
Take the money and lock up Leka and Demitric for the next 10 years.

Build a nucleus around these two.

They are the future.
Click to expand...
Agreed,

I think there's a few rough diamonds around as well.

Something about that Kayliss Fatialofa I like, I am also going to harp on again about a player like Mason Barber and the Wahs seeking out outstanding kiwi heritage emerging players.
 

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Sam Wahpira said:
His aiga moved over with him and they have work their as well (lots of extended family are there as well and they are well set-up).

Funnily enough, Lapi was always a massive Bronocs fan (even when he did the matter of faith video). Its a running joke to his close love-ones.

I asked my mate whose really good friends about this when Deine came on the scene and informed me.
Click to expand...
Yeah thats similar to what I heard too- the family are close with the kini's and none of them have any interest in returning to nz.
 
Sam Wahpira said:
What if with all this money, and CNK leaving, we go after a big fish.

Whose the biggest marquee FB we could land for 1m+?
Kalyn Ponga.

Why not?
Click to expand...
worth asking question but he and his father/manager are extremely $ focussed, we might not have a single million-dollar player on the roster anymore (maybe fish - do not know) if you get someone asking to be paid 50% more than the rest of the squad what knock on effects does that have?
 
Playdaball said:
I was just listening to the Kevin Walters podcast and he and Dobbo said that the the Brisbane broncos were basically in cap problems and they won’t be able to keep all players.
Cobbo’s name came up and Kevie said he wants to stay in Brisbane - go for it Dolphins .
Click to expand...
Makes a lot of sense. I think shooting for a couple of the very very best upcoming kiwi stars and paying overs a little maybe the way. Also a couple of experienced Aussies. With Leka, Laban and Demitric and a few other extremely talented and confident potential stars we could build something special. I think it's the only way. No Cobbos, Turbos or Hammers are going to view us as highly desirable, we have to build a unique culture for the strong, tough/aggressive and even cocky boys to thrive and dominate. I think JFH is a good start but we need bit of experience and one or two potential future stars added to what we have.
 
Boston Boy said:
JFH is a good start but we need bit of experience
Click to expand...
Barney(170 games), Egan(129) , Fish(205) , Nuikore(132), Capewell(157) , Clark(95) Afoa(138) , is as experienced as you can get. They're all over 28 years of age except Clark & Ford(80), And they're both 27.
Dwz(212) , Rts(216) , Cnk(117) are all over 29 years of age.

CHT(75) - Tuaupiki(25) are 25. Metcalf(30) Pompey(98) are 26. They're at the stage of their careers where it's make or break time. Fail, And it's hard to kick on if they haven't already.

We have enough experience. Finding the balance between the inexperienced & the experienced on the field, And the bench is crucial. Which is the only gripe I have with Webby. His bench use is mud.

Starting all the old fullas then subbing them off for the inexperienced blokes is where we trip up sometimes. Great injection of power and pace! But the top 2 inches is where they lack. Discipline, bad Defensive reads, Fumbled set plays, Fitness(Fatigue which leads to all of the above)

Start Demetric & or Ford/Afoa, Bench Nuikore(Id prefer Laban)
Bench Barnett(Blasphemous, I know) But we have captain 1 who replaces captain 2(Fish) And we lose none of that Mana or leadership.

Ali & Berry are stars. They don't need looking after.

So, I don't think we lack experience. We lack x factor in the positions that are important if we are to go to the next level.

1 - An impact prop
2 - Speed on the wings
3 - Spine - Egan is world class. Thats a tick. Halves are inconsistent. CHT gives us what is expected of him. He is no frills. He plays a good support role if we have a 7 who can do most of the organising. Cht will kick when needed. Run the ball strongly. And muck in defensively. Metcalf is a running 6. Speed, Handy ball playing , Goal kicking , Very indecisive. I personally don't see him as a 7. They've gotten by off of Egan's creativeness.
Cnk - Defensively strong. Huge motor. No ex factor or speed. It is Tuaupiki's time now at the back. If he gets it. We will be better for it.
 
The Warrior Waka said:
Barney(170 games), Egan(129) , Fish(205) , Nuikore(132), Capewell(157) , Clark(95) Afoa(138) , is as experienced as you can get. They're all over 28 years of age except Clark & Ford(80), And they're both 27.
Dwz(212) , Rts(216) , Cnk(117) are all over 29 years of age.

CHT(75) - Tuaupiki(25) are 25. Metcalf(30) Pompey(98) are 26. They're at the stage of their careers where it's make or break time. Fail, And it's hard to kick on if they haven't already.

We have enough experience. Finding the balance between the inexperienced & the experienced on the field, And the bench is crucial. Which is the only gripe I have with Webby. His bench use is mud.

Starting all the old fullas then subbing them off for the inexperienced blokes is where we trip up sometimes. Great injection of power and pace! But the top 2 inches is where they lack. Discipline, bad Defensive reads, Fumbled set plays, Fitness(Fatigue which leads to all of the above)

Start Demetric & or Ford/Afoa, Bench Nuikore(Id prefer Laban)
Bench Barnett(Blasphemous, I know) But we have captain 1 who replaces captain 2(Fish) And we lose none of that Mana or leadership.

Ali & Berry are stars. They don't need looking after.

So, I don't think we lack experience. We lack x factor in the positions that are important if we are to go to the next level.

1 - An impact prop
2 - Speed on the wings
3 - Spine - Egan is world class. Thats a tick. Halves are inconsistent. CHT gives us what is expected of him. He is no frills. He plays a good support role if we have a 7 who can do most of the organising. Cht will kick when needed. Run the ball strongly. And muck in defensively. Metcalf is a running 6. Speed, Handy ball playing , Goal kicking , Very indecisive. I personally don't see him as a 7. They've gotten by off of Egan's creativeness.
Cnk - Defensively strong. Huge motor. No ex factor or speed. It is Tuaupiki's time now at the back. If he gets it. We will be better for it.
Click to expand...
I agree, I like impact prop, and more speed and a bit more xfactor.
Real interesting that Bulldogs have light forwards and an intense game plan. Very similar to us I was thinking.
We are a little more conservative.
 
Boston Boy said:
I agree, I like impact prop, and more speed and a bit more xfactor.
Real interesting that Bulldogs have light forwards and an intense game plan. Very similar to us I was thinking.
We are a little more conservative.
Click to expand...
You're right. Dogs are hella aggressive. They have a good mix of physicality & ball playing ability in the backrow(Curran, Preston & Salmon). Then theres Topounuia & Kikau who offer the power running game.
We're not to far from that pack. Better props , Gun 13 , Our young bulls in Vaimauga & Halasima are the best in the league. Laban & Ieremia-Toeava coming through. Happy days ahead me thinks!
 
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