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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[Theking267]

Haumole is the only edge forward 6ft4 & above but is listed at 113kg. Which means Neal will probably be too big to play on an edge once he hits first grade. By the time he’s playing first grade he will be 6’6 & 120kg

 

[Noitall]

Haumole is the only edge forward 6ft4 & above but is listed at 113kg. Which means Neal will probably be too big to play on an edge once he hits first grade. By the time he’s playing first grade he will be 6’6 & 120kg

Neal surely comes into NSW cup next year? Salalilo reminds me of Moses Leota in stature

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Haumole is the only edge forward 6ft4 & above but is listed at 113kg. Which means Neal will probably be too big to play on an edge once he hits first grade. By the time he’s playing first grade he will be 6’6 & 120kg

Need a Josh Papali'i type out and out middle

 

[Noitall]

Need a Josh Papali'i type out and out middle

Might as well get him. He wants to play on and raiders aren’t extending him

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Might as well get him. He wants to play on and raiders aren’t extending him

Lol maybe if it was 2015. We dont need to sign geriatrics

 

[Theking267]

He will definitely play some cup next year. It’s just going to be hard to break into the Cup side full-time particularly with EIT & Kayliss in the back row & Toby Crosby & Salalilo as the bench middles.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

The One New Zealand Warriors have locked in three highly promising South Island players – Makaia Tafua, Jason Salalilo and Bishop Neal – until the end of the 2028 season

New Zealand is primed and almost ready for a North vs. South origin.

Congratulations to the boys for the resignings and I can't wait to see them in first grade.

 

[Noitall]

Lol maybe if it was 2015. We dont need to sign geriatrics

Certainly wouldn’t want to block paths of anyone, but he’s only a year older than some in the team performing pretty well. I personally wouldn’t but was just a suggestion to your statement of needing a Josh Papalii out and out middle

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Certainly wouldn’t want to block paths of anyone, but he’s only a year older than some in the team performing pretty well. I personally wouldn’t but was just a suggestion to your statement of needing a Josh Papalii out and out middle

Sorry I meant more in the production line. we have so many backrowers coming through we will definitely lose some. What we dont have a lot of, is the Willison's and the Te Kuras.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Haumole is the only edge forward 6ft4 & above but is listed at 113kg. Which means Neal will probably be too big to play on an edge once he hits first grade. By the time he’s playing first grade he will be 6’6 & 120kg

Viliame kikau is 195cm 120kg. I see Bishop as a Kikau clone, But faster lol.

Yeah weight wise seems like he could surpass him at 115kg. Could be bullshit stats too, NAS does seem bigger than 115kg?

I watched a storm pre season video and Nas said he was 133kg hoping to get down to 126 - 124.

 

[Boston Boy]

Viliame kikau is 195cm 120kg. I see Bishop as a Kikau clone, But faster lol.

I watched a storm pre season video and Nas said he was 133kg hoping to get down to 126 - 124.

Yeah I seriously doubt NAS is 120kgs, I would think between 125-130kgs

 

[Boston Boy]

Yeah I seriously doubt NAS is 120kgs, I would think between 125-130kgs. He is a monster.

 

[Noitall]

Viliame kikau is 195cm 120kg. I see Bishop as a Kikau clone, But faster lol

So you think edge forward will stay his preferred position?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

So you think edge forward will stay his preferred position?

I'm hoping so. That kid has it all. Size, Speed & Skill. 17 and already close to Payne Haas size.
Opposition backs will have nightmares seeing him running at them in a few years.

Not sure at this point in time if he is a middle. Size wise, Yes. Stamina & Endurance? We'll see as he developes. He needs balance. He needs a defensive game the equal or close to what he offers offensively. Then we have our very own Haas like machine. Then maybe, I could see him at prop.

 

[Noitall]

Does anyone know any of the details of these contracts? Are there any development years and coming into top 30 at some point?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

The One New Zealand Warriors have locked in three highly promising South Island players – Makaia Tafua, Jason Salalilo and Bishop Neal – until the end of the 2028 season.

All Christchurch-born and raised, the trio have underlined their potential coming through the club’s pathways system.

Hooker Tafua (21) has already made 22 appearances for the Warriors’ reserve grade side in the New South Wales Cup, prop Salalilo (20) has played eight NSW Cup games this year and second rower Neal (17) was an influential figure as the club secured its second consecutive Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) premiership this season.

“Makaia, Jason and Bishop are all terrific examples of the talent coming out of our academy in Christchurch,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development.

“Their development has been outstanding since coming into our system.

“Makaia and Jason have grabbed every opportunity through the grades to earn exposure with our New South Wales Cup side while Bishop has huge potential a back rower.

“He would have played in the Harold Matthews Cup as a 15-year-old last year only to be ruled out through injury but he certainly showed what he can do this year despite still being only 16 at that time.”

Tafua, a Linwood Keas junior and Shirley Boys’ High School product, started his journey with the Warriors in the club’s first year back home after the Covid era when he played four times for the SG Ball Cup (under-19) side.

By last year he was a New South Wales Cup regular making 17 appearances and scoring four tries as his development was fast-tracked alongside senior players. He also scored three tries in three Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) games while he has split his time between the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams this year.

Salalilo and Neal both come out of New Zealand rugby league’s new powerhouse St Thomas of Canterbury College.

Salalilo has followed the same path as Tafua coming through the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and now NSW Cup sides. He has been impressive in eight interchange appearances for the table topping Warriors in the NSW Cup this year.

Neal is a standout both physically and talent-wise, an imposing figure standing 194cm and weighing 113kg. He routinely ploughed through defences using his combination of size, power and pace in the Harold Matthews Cup this year finishing as the team’s top try scorer with eight in 10 games.

He was almost unstoppable with two tries in the grand final after which he was named the player of the match.

Profile | Makaia Tafua​

Born: June 14, 2004
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: Linwood Keas
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 88kg
New South Wales Cup:
Appearances: 22 (2024-2025)
Points: 16 (4 tries)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21):
Appearances: 9 (2024-2025)
Points: 32 (8 tries)
SG Ball Cup (under-19):
Appearances: 4 (2023)
Points: 0

Profile | Jason Salalilo​

Born: April 28, 2005
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: St Thomas of Canterbury College
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 102kg
New South Wales Cup:
Appearances: 8 (2025)
Points: 4 (1 try)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21):
Appearances: 6 (2024-2025)
Points: 20 (5 tries)
SG Ball Cup (under-19):
Appearances: 7 (2024)
Points: 0

Profile | Bishop Neal​

Born: May 10, 2008
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: Hornby Panthers
Position: Second row
Height: 194cm
Weight: 113kg
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17):
Appearances: 10 (2025)
Points: 32 (8 tries)

194cm 113kg at 17 years old!

I hope he develops a motor.

 

[Makasene]

Think we need to accept the inevitable. If we want to keep Lukey Met we will need to pay up.

I for one support it.

WARRIORS’ BID TO KEEP POTENTIAL NEXT $1M HALFBACK

The Warriors intend to open talks with in-form halfback Luke Metcalf with a view to ensuring the gun no.7 remains at the Wahs.

Metcalf’s form has been off the Richter this season to the point where there’s no question the Wahs will have to get close to the $1 million per season mark to retain him.

As most arguments begin around rugby league playmakers these days – “if Dylan Brown’s worth $1.4 million per season then what’s this bloke worth?”.

Metcalf enjoys a tight-knit bond with Warriors chief executive Cameron George to the point where the Wahs players have nicknamed him “Luke George”.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a deal will get struck straight away but given the way the Wahs have invested in Metcalf and provided a pathway to making the no.7 jumper his own it’s a strong chance.

Metcalf, 26, has still only played 39 NRL games and had to overcome some heavy injury setbacks with a badly broken leg leading to a rod in his leg.

There were also hamstring problems when he arrived at the Wahs meaning the club sent him over to the US to spend time with re-conditioning guru Bill Knowles.

This year Metcalf has taken off to the point where he’s gone past Melbourne Storm champion halfback Jahrome Hughes as the best running halfback in the NRL.

According to Fox Sports Stats Metcalf is the NRL’s leading halfback in terms of tries (eight), line breaks (eight), run metres (733m) and points (113).

What it all adds up to is a cracking story on one of the most improved playmakers in the NRL who given the form he’s displayed this season should go very close to becoming rugby league’s next $1 million-a-season halfback.

The next challenge for Metcalf will be to deliver in the big end-of-season games come September. Given what we’ve already seen from him this season we’re tipping he can tick the box.

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this NRL’s next $1m halfback? Hoops

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this next $1m halfback? Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Naynay]

Think we need to accept the inevitable. If we want to keep Lukey Met we will need to pay up.

I for one support it.

WARRIORS’ BID TO KEEP POTENTIAL NEXT $1M HALFBACK

The Warriors intend to open talks with in-form halfback Luke Metcalf with a view to ensuring the gun no.7 remains at the Wahs.

Metcalf’s form has been off the Richter this season to the point where there’s no question the Wahs will have to get close to the $1 million per season mark to retain him.

As most arguments begin around rugby league playmakers these days – “if Dylan Brown’s worth $1.4 million per season then what’s this bloke worth?”.

Metcalf enjoys a tight-knit bond with Warriors chief executive Cameron George to the point where the Wahs players have nicknamed him “Luke George”.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a deal will get struck straight away but given the way the Wahs have invested in Metcalf and provided a pathway to making the no.7 jumper his own it’s a strong chance.

Metcalf, 26, has still only played 39 NRL games and had to overcome some heavy injury setbacks with a badly broken leg leading to a rod in his leg.

There were also hamstring problems when he arrived at the Wahs meaning the club sent him over to the US to spend time with re-conditioning guru Bill Knowles.

This year Metcalf has taken off to the point where he’s gone past Melbourne Storm champion halfback Jahrome Hughes as the best running halfback in the NRL.

According to Fox Sports Stats Metcalf is the NRL’s leading halfback in terms of tries (eight), line breaks (eight), run metres (733m) and points (113).

What it all adds up to is a cracking story on one of the most improved playmakers in the NRL who given the form he’s displayed this season should go very close to becoming rugby league’s next $1 million-a-season halfback.

The next challenge for Metcalf will be to deliver in the big end-of-season games come September. Given what we’ve already seen from him this season we’re tipping he can tick the box.

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this NRL’s next $1m halfback? Hoops

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this next $1m halfback? Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

I wouldn't even hesitate to go the 900k to 1 mill and long term, if he can deliver at finals time i would go as far as 1.2, either way it should be a long term no clause out contract.

 

[CWC]

Think we need to accept the inevitable. If we want to keep Lukey Met we will need to pay up.

I for one support it.

WARRIORS’ BID TO KEEP POTENTIAL NEXT $1M HALFBACK

The Warriors intend to open talks with in-form halfback Luke Metcalf with a view to ensuring the gun no.7 remains at the Wahs.

Metcalf’s form has been off the Richter this season to the point where there’s no question the Wahs will have to get close to the $1 million per season mark to retain him.

As most arguments begin around rugby league playmakers these days – “if Dylan Brown’s worth $1.4 million per season then what’s this bloke worth?”.

Metcalf enjoys a tight-knit bond with Warriors chief executive Cameron George to the point where the Wahs players have nicknamed him “Luke George”.

That doesn’t necessarily mean a deal will get struck straight away but given the way the Wahs have invested in Metcalf and provided a pathway to making the no.7 jumper his own it’s a strong chance.

Metcalf, 26, has still only played 39 NRL games and had to overcome some heavy injury setbacks with a badly broken leg leading to a rod in his leg.

There were also hamstring problems when he arrived at the Wahs meaning the club sent him over to the US to spend time with re-conditioning guru Bill Knowles.

This year Metcalf has taken off to the point where he’s gone past Melbourne Storm champion halfback Jahrome Hughes as the best running halfback in the NRL.

According to Fox Sports Stats Metcalf is the NRL’s leading halfback in terms of tries (eight), line breaks (eight), run metres (733m) and points (113).

What it all adds up to is a cracking story on one of the most improved playmakers in the NRL who given the form he’s displayed this season should go very close to becoming rugby league’s next $1 million-a-season halfback.

The next challenge for Metcalf will be to deliver in the big end-of-season games come September. Given what we’ve already seen from him this season we’re tipping he can tick the box.

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this NRL’s next $1m halfback? Hoops

Dogs’ delicate call amid obvious Mahoney solution; is this next $1m halfback? Hoops

www.foxsports.com.au

Interesting Warriors HQ is quite tight lipped so if reporters are saying this, it might be they’ve already started negotiating during the bye rounds

Didn’t know he needed a rod after last year‘s injury. Have no problem giving him a million as long as it’s around the market price, we have the cap we didn’t even sign anyone big this year

Don’t know how significant the length of the deal is since Aussies can always pull a compassionate release, so maybe 3 years for stability and show of loyalty?

 

[Makasene]

Interesting Warriors HQ is quite tight lipped so if reporters are saying this, it might be they’ve already started negotiating during the bye rounds

Didn’t know he needed a rod after last year‘s injury. Have no problem giving him a million as long as it’s around the market price, we have the cap we didn’t even sign anyone big this year

Don’t know how significant the length of the deal is since Aussies can always pull a compassionate release, so maybe 3 years for stability and show of loyalty?

I'd be thinking 3 + options

Or just straight up 4 year deal locked in