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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	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: 25/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Off Contract from 01/11/25 : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[Noitall]

Not too sue what happens with TMM, you would have to assume he signs elsewhere. Boyd sticking around and they would want Jye Linnane having a full time starting spot in the cup team.

One thing is for absolute certain in my mind, Lussick won't be here next year. There is no way he'd be willing to play another year of prop/lock carting the ball up. He'll get an early release (probably take that Cows opportunity to replace Robson). They'll have more confidence in Healey getting minutes next year as the back up hooker. Makaia Tafua will be the 3rd string hooker and decent chance of debuting next year.

This is what Webster had to say regarding TMM during the week. Certainly seen as 14 at the moment.


He’s going well,” said Webster. “It’s all different for him.
“He’s nine cover, 13 cover, half cover and fullback cover. As soon as Charnze got sin-binned [against the Canberra Raiders], we wanted to move him and get him straight on the field.
“I thought he did a decent job, he’s got to keep working. It’s hard, during one week you don’t get reps in every single one of the positions you’re covering, because there’s not enough time.
“But he’s doing a good job, trying to do his best there.

 

[CWC]

This is what Webster had to say regarding TMM during the week. Certainly seen as 14 at the moment.


He’s going well,” said Webster. “It’s all different for him.
“He’s nine cover, 13 cover, half cover and fullback cover. As soon as Charnze got sin-binned [against the Canberra Raiders], we wanted to move him and get him straight on the field.
“I thought he did a decent job, he’s got to keep working. It’s hard, during one week you don’t get reps in every single one of the positions you’re covering, because there’s not enough time.
“But he’s doing a good job, trying to do his best there.

I can’t tell what that means for TMM, like if he doesn’t turn into a blockbuster utility he is gone? Or Webby wants a Foran 14 like the kiwis?

Feels like TT can do the same role and has a boot

 

[Noitall]

I can’t tell what that means for TMM, like if he doesn’t turn into a blockbuster utility he is gone? Or Webby wants a Foran 14 like the kiwis?

Feels like TT can do the same role and has a boot

The 4 games that TMM has come on, he’s tackled at 94%. One stage at hooker, one stage at lock. I don’t see Tuaupiki handling lock defensively. Also to look at these stats, I think there’s a hope it can translate to first grade. 6 games, 4 tries and 15 try assists is unreal

Te Maire Martin

The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Te Maire Martin including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[CWC]

The 4 games that TMM has come on, he’s tackled at 94%. One stage at hooker, one stage at lock. I don’t see Tuaupiki handling lock defensively

Interesting they are playing him at lock, Clark has been playing huge minutes lately and Demi’s his cover, they want to address second half attacking woes I guess? Clark can play prop for TMM, though we’re back to full strength now, I don’t think Webby trusts Healey yet, even that cows game his solo grubber was a bit of a rush of blood, there was the hospital pass to Clark too lol. otherwise he makes more sense as lock

 

[Cces]

When he wasn't there we have had to come back because we let the opposition in.
With Tanah the structures far better.

The Cup side did have to comeback against the Raiders (Rd 1), Sea Eagles & Knights even when Boyd was present.
Good depth signing & probably closer to playing #7 in the NRL at the Warriors than he could be anywhere else

 

[Noitall]

The Cup side did have to comeback against the Raiders (Rd 1), Sea Eagles & Knights even when Boyd was present.
Good depth signing & probably closer to playing #7 in the NRL at the Warriors than he could be anywhere else

It’s been interesting having a look at the knights forum in the last day or two. There’s become an agreement between many of their fans that Sharpe is the best option at fullback and interesting seeing a highly rated Connor Votano over there linked with a move with Ponga and Sharpe in front of him. They’ve talked about teams that could potentially be after a fullback and our club has come up. They’re on the hunt for a solid 7 to accompany Dylan Brown, but also some think Brown may play 7? There’s a view that if they were to part ways with Ponga, a club would be willing to pay a million a season to take over his contract and knights would have to contribute the rest. Do you think Ponga on a million a season and knights get TMM or Boyd would be good business for us?

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Interesting they are playing him at lock, Clark has been playing huge minutes lately and Demi’s his cover, they want to address second half attacking woes I guess? Clark can play prop for TMM, though we’re back to full strength now, I don’t think Webby trusts Healey yet, even that cows game his solo grubber was a bit of a rush of blood, there was the hospital pass to Clark too lol. otherwise he makes more sense as lock

I think Healey can play 9, 6, 13/14 without a problem. Once we see some consistency in FG, he may even be able to play 1. I believe the guy is a real talent and I think the coaches do too. He's being slowly acclimatised through the time in the lower grades. Patience is everything

 

[Playdaball]

Another 7’s rugby international making his debut for St George tonight … surely the Warriors should consider recruiting a 7s player - doing it in WNRL

 

[sydneywarrior92]

It’s been interesting having a look at the knights forum in the last day or two. There’s become an agreement between many of their fans that Sharpe is the best option at fullback and interesting seeing a highly rated Connor Votano over there linked with a move with Ponga and Sharpe in front of him. They’ve talked about teams that could potentially be after a fullback and our club has come up. They’re on the hunt for a solid 7 to accompany Dylan Brown, but also some think Brown may play 7? There’s a view that if they were to part ways with Ponga, a club would be willing to pay a million a season to take over his contract and knights would have to contribute the rest. Do you think Ponga on a million a season and knights get TMM or Boyd would be good business for us?

I'd rather invest our cap space in renewing LM. Given the general scarcity of halves, we're going to face an almighty battle after November 1 to keep him here. KP is wrong for the system that we are building under Webby.

 

[Cces]

It’s been interesting having a look at the knights forum in the last day or two. There’s become an agreement between many of their fans that Sharpe is the best option at fullback and interesting seeing a highly rated Connor Votano over there linked with a move with Ponga and Sharpe in front of him. They’ve talked about teams that could potentially be after a fullback and our club has come up. They’re on the hunt for a solid 7 to accompany Dylan Brown, but also some think Brown may play 7? There’s a view that if they were to part ways with Ponga, a club would be willing to pay a million a season to take over his contract and knights would have to contribute the rest. Do you think Ponga on a million a season and knights get TMM or Boyd would be good business for us?

I think that would be a good outcome for both clubs but can't see it happening. We can't use TMM as a trade peice if he's off contract so Boyd would be the player, and as others have predicted, I think Boyd will go to Perth in 2027 (even more likely now that Meninga is touted as their coach), and Pezet will join Newcastle (has a get out clause if Hughes re-signs).

 

[Noitall]

I think that would be a good outcome for both clubs but can't see it happening. We can't use TMM as a trade peice if he's off contract so Boyd would be the player, and as others have predicted, I think Boyd will go to Perth in 2027 (even more likely now that Meninga is touted as their coach), and Pezet will join Newcastle (has a get put clause if Hughes re-signs).

Knights have said they won’t be pursuing high profile halves when asked in regards to pursuing Sexton. High profile doesn’t mean won’t be pursuing any halves though

 

[Noitall]

We must also have a fair bit of salary cap space too with Tohu and Walker gone who were on decent contracts, and the $600k not taken up by SJ playing on. Think it needs 97% of it spent by the end of the year?

 

[CWC]

Knights have said they won’t be pursuing high profile halves when asked in regards to pursuing Sexton. High profile doesn’t mean won’t be pursuing any halves though

Sexton isn’t high profile lol, so that is ambiguous from them

I don’t think we need to do a trade to get Ponga. If Roosters are after DCE still then where could he go? Eels?

If we go well this year I like our chances, he looked fatigued and bored, win a premiership to be a māori hero along with our Māori skipper then win a World Cup and become a NZ icon, and Webby’s the coach more likely he will have a career best form season Imagine that

We have a million for Metcalf and Ponga each not signing anyone after letting all the expensive guys retire or leave, and we can release Boyd, TMM etc to clear more space to upgrade others

He screams a guy needing a new work environment to find that second spring

 

[Noitall]

Sexton isn’t high profile lol, so that is ambiguous from them

I don’t think we need to do a trade to get Ponga. If Roosters are after DCE still then where could he go? Eels?

If we go well this year I like our chances, he looked fatigued and bored, win a premiership to be a māori hero along with our Māori skipper then win a World Cup and become a NZ icon, and Webby’s the coach more likely he will have a career best form season Imagine that

We have a million for Metcalf and Ponga each not signing anyone after letting all the expensive guys retire or leave, and we can release Boyd, TMM etc to clear more space to upgrade others

He screams a guy needing a new work environment to find that second spring

If you were to lose Boyd to get him, means you could retain TMM as halves depth or bench utility

 

[CWC]

'He's got to keep working': Warriors coach's sympathy for off-contract Te Maire Martin

As his contract runs out, Martin is having to be patient in his fight for game time.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Noitall]

'He's got to keep working': Warriors coach's sympathy for off-contract Te Maire Martin

As his contract runs out, Martin is having to be patient in his fight for game time.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Does he’s got to keep working mean there’s a goal at the end if he can make a fist of it? Got to give credit to TMM, it would be easy to come on in the games he has and try and overdo it to try and impress while seeking an extension but he’s just done what’s needed and made his tackles. Webster likes players that make their tackles

 

[kos]

Does he’s got to keep working mean there’s a goal at the end if he can make a fist of it? Got to give credit to TMM, it would be easy to come on in the games he has and try and overdo it to try and impress while seeking an extension but he’s just done what’s needed and made his tackles. Webster likes players that make their tackles

must be why he keeps picking Cht!

 

[Noitall]

must be why he keeps picking Cht!

CHT picked at 6, TMM picked at 14?

 

[Get them onside ref!]

must be why he keeps picking Cht!

Exactly
He ain’t there for his attacking nor variance

 

[Damo]

Exactly
He ain’t there for his attacking nor variance

Goes alright for not being there for his attacking:
11 games
11 try contributions (3 tries, 8 try assists)
2 line breaks, 6 line break assists
11 tackle breaks