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	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	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: 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

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[BangBro's (still banging)]

CNK and TMM isn’t indicative of a clear out I reckon. These are upgradable parts of our team.

TMM — back up spine player who wants to start, who justifiably won’t get that opportunity here. We can replace him without losing too much, especially as we have Boyd in reserve.

CNK — he’s been great for us. I love what he brings to the table. His work rate is incredible, he’s a very safe pair of hands at the back, and he does have an intangible quality that I think we’ll find hard to replace. But I think there are other fullbacks with higher ceilings that could fit in and give us something different too. We’re just in too good of a position here; we can take a risk on a younger player with massive potential ala what we did with Walsh, and worst case it all goes wrong and we play RTS at fullback.

Good point on the safety net of sheck, and let's also say Tuaupiki.

Seriously Zain, this better be good!

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Would we be happy if it turned out to be Kini?

 

[Ref]

CNK and TMM isn’t indicative of a clear out I reckon. These are upgradable parts of our team.

TMM — back up spine player who wants to start, who justifiably won’t get that opportunity here. We can replace him without losing too much, especially as we have Boyd in reserve.

CNK — he’s been great for us. I love what he brings to the table. His work rate is incredible, he’s a very safe pair of hands at the back, and he does have an intangible quality that I think we’ll find hard to replace. But I think there are other fullbacks with higher ceilings that could fit in and give us something different too. We’re just in too good of a position here; we can take a risk on a younger player with massive potential ala what we did with Walsh, and worst case it all goes wrong and we play RTS at fullback.

I’d let CNK go which you have covered well.
I’d keep TMM and pay him a decent enough salary though.
After Boyd and TMM the immediate cupboard is bare.
Hanson is promising, Cleary is unknown.

I’d say that any of the possible six combinations of Metcalf, CHT, TMM and Boyd would be acceptable for now other than Boyd and CHT together.

 

[Tonbridge(aka Swanley)]

Agree. Every signing has been kept close to the chest & then announced to our surprise. Assume any new signing will be the same.

100% this.

I respect our recruitment team for how they operate, and I guess players might as well.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Would we be happy if it turned out to be Kini?

You mean the current kiwis fb? Yeah probably be pretty handy

 

[Fonzie]

I wonder if @Fonzie has any mail - he hears things ???

Hi mate

Yesterday I got a bunch of messages saying we were going to sign Ponga but they all seemed to lead back to the same dubious FB pages

One guy said he had confirmed it with a particular journo but that journo hasn’t published anything

I decided there just wasnt enough there for me to amplify it

Separately, I am wondering about where Ponga and Manu will be going- they can’t both go to the roosters..

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Hi mate

Yesterday I got a bunch of messages saying we were going to sign Ponga but they all seemed to lead back to the same dubious FB pages

One guy said he had confirmed it with a particular journo but that journo hasn’t published anything

I decided there just wasnt enough there for me to amplify it

Separately, I am wondering about where Ponga and Manu will be going- they can’t both go to the roosters..

Well it looks like Manu truly wants to play for the All Blacks so we probably won't be getting either.

 

[tajhay]

Well it looks like Manu truly wants to play for the All Blacks so we probably won't be getting either.

Its hard to play for All Blacks from France. Plus just dont see Manu taking a steep paycut to play Super Rugby to try to make the ABs.

Can see him trailblazing around RU circles to make decent money and if he does return to league it will be with Roosters.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Hi mate

Yesterday I got a bunch of messages saying we were going to sign Ponga but they all seemed to lead back to the same dubious FB pages

One guy said he had confirmed it with a particular journo but that journo hasn’t published anything

I decided there just wasnt enough there for me to amplify it

Separately, I am wondering about where Ponga and Manu will be going- they can’t both go to the roosters..

So you reckon Ponga IS leaving the Knights?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Its hard to play for All Blacks from France. Plus just dont see Manu taking a steep paycut to play Super Rugby to try to make the ABs.

Can see him trailblazing around RU circles to make decent money and if he does return to league it will be with Roosters.

I can see him playing super rugby, at that point it's not about money, it's about his dream of representing new zealand for the All Blacks.

So yes he needs to come back and by the time that's over he will already be over 30.

 

[Fonzie]

So you reckon Ponga IS leaving the Knights?

I have no mail but I would think so - you can’t have two players over 1.3m on long term contracts

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I have no mail but I would think so - you can’t have two players over 1.3m on long term contracts

My thoughts also

 

[MrFrankWhite]

i hope if we are in for a big signing its a mega star union convert

Rejects from a dying sport? No thanks.

 

[tajhay]

I can see him playing super rugby, at that point it's not about money, it's about his dream of representing new zealand for the All Blacks.

So yes he needs to come back and by the time that's over he will already be over 30.

Maybe. Last year he wanted the rules relaxed.

Looks like his views may have changed. But unless he is killing it and knows for sure he will make the ABs i cant see him not chasing the dollar. He makes it sound it playing in NZ is not his future goals only other than to make the ABs. Doubt Warriors is even on his radar. Lot of compliant 'obviously' and 'ifs'...

‘Sticking with rugby’: Joey Manu on his new code, his All Blacks dream and those Roosters rumours

In an exclusive interview, the former Roosters star talks about his decision to stay in the 15-man game, interest in playing against the Lions and his hip-hop future with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

www.smh.com.au

Manu said last year he had no desire to play in Super Rugby and he hoped the eligibility rules might change.

But Manu’s view now changed too - opening up the prospect of him playing for the Chiefs in 2027.

“Obviously what you have to do is play in New Zealand,” he said. “Like I said, if I’m feeling good and feeling like I’ve improved my game, which I do hope and I want to get better at, then if I feel like it’s right, then I’ll obviously have to go home and play.”

 

[Wrighty]

Hi mate

Yesterday I got a bunch of messages saying we were going to sign Ponga but they all seemed to lead back to the same dubious FB pages

One guy said he had confirmed it with a particular journo but that journo hasn’t published anything

I decided there just wasnt enough there for me to amplify it

Separately, I am wondering about where Ponga and Manu will be going- they can’t both go to the roosters..

Thanks very much Fonzie. Much appreciate your answer here. I have no clarification questions.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

For those wanting a dose of hopium (I’d like to believe as well though tbf lol)

RTS announcement came April 20th, 2023
JFH announcement came April 17th, 2024

Based on form, we should be due a blockbuster signing in two weeks time!

 

[Fonzie]

Thanks very much Fonzie. Much appreciate your answer here. I have no clarification questions.

I’ve had my fingers burnt a few times pretending to be a scoop journo mate so I tend to exercise more discretion these days

 

[Noitall]

I’ve had my fingers burnt a few times pretending to be a scoop journo mate so I tend to exercise more discretion these days

Na chuck it out there anytime. Always love to hear some good recruitment gossip. Everybody knows it’s a fast moving market and things can change quick

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I’ve had my fingers burnt a few times pretending to be a scoop journo mate so I tend to exercise more discretion these days

What are your thoughts on Cobbo as Potential fullback? Just hypothetical would you chase him as a fullback?

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Hi mate

Yesterday I got a bunch of messages saying we were going to sign Ponga but they all seemed to lead back to the same dubious FB pages

One guy said he had confirmed it with a particular journo but that journo hasn’t published anything

I decided there just wasnt enough there for me to amplify it

Separately, I am wondering about where Ponga and Manu will be going- they can’t both go to the roosters..

The roosters are a sinking ship. They’re not the glamour club they once were