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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Braelan Marsh	-	?	?	?
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Braelan Marsh (Redcliffe Dolphins), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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

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Please be mindful of what you are posting in this thread before clicking the reply button. Zero Tolerance for off-topic chat.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

This is exactly how broncos dickhead fans thought/think about their club competing in the comp.

For sure.

The way I see it, this club got better when they started rejecting all the conspiracy stuff.

Ref bias.
Travel bias.
Media bias.

Webby and the boys don't make excuses. As supporters, neither should we.

 

[sup42]

This is exactly how broncos dickhead fans thought/think about their club competing in the comp.

Moral of the story: dont act the same like those fans. You are creating your own narrative. The Warriors are well liked in Australia. We would like to keep it that way thanks. Travel well and travel far. Insular 'us v them' mindset limits ones growth.

Edit : agree with locking Metcalf up.

To be fair the Broncos fans are right, everybody hates them including me.
They are a good example of the Tribalism in the NRL, the QLD team vs the rest yadda yadda.

Also when they were under Bennett their Salary cap looked smelly (basically the Origin side). Their fans are reknowned for being arrogant.

We (you and Mr Brownstain) are talking across purposes.

I agree that the Warriors enjoy neutral fan support. Unlike the Broncos fans. That accusation of behaving like them is not me.

Also I said I did not agree with everything the original poster said.

My point and the original posters point was in regards to the Australian coverage of the Warriors.
You and Mr Brownstain are talking about fan perceptions.

The Original poster who Mr Brownstain called a victim was talking about the tone of the Australian media.

You yourself have posted many times that the Australian medias job is to concentrate on Australian perspectives and that Kiwis need to deal with it.

I said that they do this and I said "Rightly".

Which is why I also said I do not agree with everything the Original poster said.

However Mr Brownstain has a history of calling people victims when their opinions do not align with his own world view....which in this case was frankly wrong.

As the Original poster claimed the media over there will talk about our achievements with an Australian spin on them. This is no different say to the New Zealand habit in Union our more successful code of saying our coaches overseas are why those countries have done well.

This is a fact, they do say RTS brought his Roosters standards to the Warriors (a point the original poster 'victim'lol made)

The Aussie Media do talk about the Warriors benefiting from the Penrith influences here.

This attitude is as old as the competition itself....as Rabs Warren said back in 2002 during the intro for the Sharks vs Warriors semifinal "has there ever been a more despised finalists in the history of the competition".

Personally I like the rhetoric, I like all their tribal "Origin is the highest form of the sport" bullshit coz like Blockers "the big Warriors forwards are tiring " or like (insert random Fox Sports expert) will say when the Warriors win "Their big pack is hard to contain and that unpredictable style they play throwing offloads is a winner" .

Bottom line, their fans over the ditch like us, their Experts in their media talk about us through an Aussie lense fact.

No posters should be called out as victims by Mr Brownstain for an opinion about the tone of the Aussie media, because that is un called for.

Let me be very clear here, I do not think the Aussie media hate us either....I think they are indifferent and apathetic because we have been so poor for so long, that it is beyond them to take us too seriously....apart from those pockets where we are flavor of the month.

And I am cool with that, does that make me a victim?

Anywho on matters of recruitment, I am finding it really hard to get any Superleague coverage of our guy over there.

 

[MaybeTop8]

For sure.

The way I see it, this club got better when they started rejecting all the conspiracy stuff.

Ref bias.
Travel bias.
Media bias.

Webby and the boys don't make excuses. As supporters, neither should we.

I'm all for rejecting the conspiracy shit

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

To be fair the Broncos fans are right, everybody hates them including me.
They are a good example of the Tribalism in the NRL, the QLD team vs the rest yadda yadda.

Also when they were under Bennett their Salary cap looked smelly (basically the Origin side). Their fans are reknowned for being arrogant.

We (you and Mr Brownstain) are talking across purposes.

I agree that the Warriors enjoy neutral fan support. Unlike the Broncos fans. That accusation of behaving like them is not me.

Also I said I did not agree with everything the original poster said.

My point and the original posters point was in regards to the Australian coverage of the Warriors.

You and Mr Brownstain are talking about fan perceptions.

The Original poster who Mr Brownstain called a victim was talking about the tone of the Australian media.

You yourself have posted many times that the Australian medias job is to concentrate on Australian perspectives and that Kiwis need to deal with it.

I said that they do this and I said "Rightly".

Which is why I also said I do not agree with everything the Original poster said.

However Mr Brownstain has a history of calling people victims when their opinions do not align with his own world view....which in this case was frankly wrong.

As the Original poster claimed the media over there will talk about our achievements with an Australian spin on them. This is no different say to the New Zealand habit in Union our more successful code of saying our coaches overseas are why those countries have done well.

This is a fact, they do say RTS brought his Roosters standards to the Warriors (a point the original poster 'victim'lol made)

The Aussie Media do talk about the Warriors benefiting from the Penrith influences here.

This attitude is as old as the competition itself....as Rabs Warren said back in 2002 during the intro for the Sharks vs Warriors semifinal "has there ever been a more despised finalists in the history of the competition".

Personally I like the rhetoric, I like all their tribal "Origin is the highest form of the sport" bullshit coz like Blockers "the big Warriors forwards are tiring " or like (insert random Fox Sports expert) will say when the Warriors win "Their big pack is hard to contain and that unpredictable style they play throwing offloads is a winner" .

Bottom line, their fans over the ditch like us, their Experts in their media talk about us through an Aussie lense fact.

No posters should be called out as victims by Mr Brownstain for an opinion about the tone of the Aussie media, because that is un called for.

Let me be very clear here, I do not think the Aussie media hate us either....I think they are indifferent and apathetic because we have been so poor for so long, that it is beyond them to take us too seriously....apart from those pockets where we are flavor of the month.

And I am cool with that, does that make me a victim?

Anywho on matters of recruitment, I am finding it really hard to get any Superleague coverage of our guy over there.

You spelt my name wrong

 

[juju]

You spelt my name wrong

It has a ring to it you have to admit.

 

[Noitall]

It has a ring to it you have to admit.

Thought it must have been spell check

 

[Noitall]

Warriors open negotiations with breakout star

He is in career-best form.

www.zerotackle.com

Interesting at the end it says no deal is expected to be done anytime soon, but good it says likely to retain him. Anyone’s guess

 

[Alaska238]

Warriors open negotiations with breakout star

He is in career-best form.

www.zerotackle.com

Interesting at the end it says no deal is expected to be done anytime soon, but good it says likely to retain him. Anyone’s guess

As long as they offer him the right salary he will stay.
The club has been very supportive of him and he's loving his time here.
As CHT comes off contract at the same time plus some others it's a case of working through things.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I think the club should build around Metcalf and CHT for at least the next 4 years.

I'd be locking both up before next season.

 

[roguei]

Found this really interesting: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/564109/nrl-the-man-behind-nz-warriors-next-man-up-philosophy

Talks about how the NSW league coach came over because of webby, how he came from the bulldogs and perth systems as NSW coach there, and how we manage to keep a mixture of old boys and young men in there. Good read for those interested in our development systems.

 

[kos]

Found this really interesting: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/564109/nrl-the-man-behind-nz-warriors-next-man-up-philosophy

Talks about how the NSW league coach came over because of webby, how he came from the bulldogs and perth systems as NSW coach there, and how we manage to keep a mixture of old boys and young men in there. Good read for those interested in our development systems.

This guy David Tangata-Toa is one big reason behind our success in 2025.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

How do you maintain and keep the players you need and not end up losing them all to other clubs?

Clubs that are developing thier own players Need to take note.

Should the Panthers have gone to the market to replace key players lost?

Sorry if this is off topic but I think this is a good question considering panthers have been stripped of talent over the last 5 years.

This will happen to the warriors when it becomes successful and fruitful.

Should the clubs development program get compensation for this?

 

[CWC]

How do you maintain and keep the players you need and not end up losing them all to other clubs?

Clubs that are developing thier own players Need to take note.

Should the Panthers have gone to the market to replace key players lost?

Sorry if this is off topic but I think this is a good question considering panthers have been stripped of talent over the last 5 years.

This will happen to the warriors when it becomes successful and fruitful.

Should the clubs development program get compensation for this?

I think they’re an unique case, they reached 3 GF and won 1-2 in a row before floodgate started to open

On hindsight they should have used the money to buy the Metcalfs and Healeys who will improve quickly under their machine, or buy experienced good replacements to help the juniors coming into FG

But they won 4 in a row so who can fault them, they might win every single game next year and win another title, look at the crusaders - dud year 2024 and now hosting the final again

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I think they’re an unique case, they reached 3 GF and won 1-2 in a row before floodgate started to open

On hindsight they should have used the money to buy the Metcalfs and Healeys who will improve quickly under their machine, or buy experienced good replacements to help the juniors coming into FG

But they won 4 in a row so who can fault them, they might win every single game next year and win another title, look at the crusaders - dud year 2024 and now hosting the final again

Please dont ever compare crusaders and panthers again!

Super rugby is a shit product and the game in general is boring.

The South Africans leaving killed the competition down this part of the world.

 

[CWC]

Please dont ever compare crusaders and panthers again!

Super rugby is a shit product and the game in general is boring.

The South Africans leaving killed the competition down this part of the world.

Ya we missed the South Africans, fine, Crusaders did a 3-peat in 1998-2000, had a dud 2001 then went unbeaten to win the title again in 2002 and making 5 GF in a row winning 3

Anyway would be great if league can take off in SA though, massive pack with flying wingers

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Ya we missed the South Africans, fine, Crusaders did a 3-peat in 1998-2000, had a dud 2001 then went unbeaten to win the title again in 2002 and making 5 GF in a row winning 3

Anyway would be great if league can take off in SA though, massive pack with flying wingers

That would be scary! I wonder if it exists there?

 

[Wah's Up]

I know that the "Up the Wahs" movement has seen a huge increase in support of league but this surprised me.
Hope our recruiters were out there talent spotting.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-L7LuDUZH0

 

[Falcon]

How do you maintain and keep the players you need and not end up losing them all to other clubs?

Clubs that are developing thier own players Need to take note.

Should the Panthers have gone to the market to replace key players lost?

Sorry if this is off topic but I think this is a good question considering panthers have been stripped of talent over the last 5 years.

This will happen to the warriors when it becomes successful and fruitful.

Should the clubs development program get compensation for this?

Succession planning is paramount, especially high value positions.
The key is the club signing promising youngsters to 3 / 4 year deals especially if they have cracked NSW Cup.
Technically they have been identified as first grade potential inside the wider squad and should then get drip fed first grade opportunities to both get experience in the top flight, and if they have the ‘chops ‘ to succeed in the top flight.
Young guys getting established in grade like Leka and Laban are signed on for 3 years and these guys will develop into the experienced players of which they will replace the established signings working through their contracts to the end of their careers. It’s the cycle of life in a league career really.
They key is also punting on very young guys showing exciting potential with a view they grow into themselves both physically and mentally and become students of the game the game with continued mentoring by coaches and established leaders, Bishop Neal being an example of this at 17 years.
I think you will see more ‘re-signings’ by clubs in the future well before players can go to the open market.

 

[Get them onside ref!]

Succession planning is paramount, especially high value positions.
The key is the club signing promising youngsters to 3 / 4 year deals especially if they have cracked NSW Cup.
Technically they have been identified as first grade potential inside the wider squad and should then get drip fed first grade opportunities to both get experience in the top flight, and if they have the ‘chops ‘ to succeed in the top flight.
Young guys getting established in grade like Leka and Laban are signed on for 3 years and these guys will develop into the experienced players of which they will replace the established signings working through their contracts to the end of their careers. It’s the cycle of life in a league career really.
They key is also punting on very young guys showing exciting potential with a view they grow into themselves both physically and mentally and become students of the game the game with continued mentoring by coaches and established leaders, Bishop Neal being an example of this at 17 years.
I think you will see more ‘re-signings’ by clubs in the future well before players can go to the open market.

An old coot like me looks at our current up and comers
I was at 2011 finals
How proud
We maybe heading same way again
Will never keep everyone
As salary cap doesn’t allow
2011
New South Wales Cup grand final: Canterbury Bankstown 30, Vulcans 28
NYC grand final: Warriors 31, North Queensland 30
NRL grand final: Manly Warringah 24, Warriors 10
Let’s Gone Warriors

 

[sup42]

Succession planning is paramount, especially high value positions.
The key is the club signing promising youngsters to 3 / 4 year deals especially if they have cracked NSW Cup.
Technically they have been identified as first grade potential inside the wider squad and should then get drip fed first grade opportunities to both get experience in the top flight, and if they have the ‘chops ‘ to succeed in the top flight.
Young guys getting established in grade like Leka and Laban are signed on for 3 years and these guys will develop into the experienced players of which they will replace the established signings working through their contracts to the end of their careers. It’s the cycle of life in a league career really.
They key is also punting on very young guys showing exciting potential with a view they grow into themselves both physically and mentally and become students of the game the game with continued mentoring by coaches and established leaders, Bishop Neal being an example of this at 17 years.
I think you will see more ‘re-signings’ by clubs in the future well before players can go to the open market.

Enjoyed reading that.

I was having the same thought experiment in the doldrums of Bye week.....how do we avoid another 2024 where aged legends were kept on too long?

The unavoidable conclusion is that it falls on the coaches shoulders to make the tough calls and not select the 2024 SJs or Tohus.....to take a gamble and go with Metcalf at seven last year next to CHT as an example, imagine where we would be this year had that call been made?

I am not blaming Webster, none of us have a crystal ball, how do you tell if SJs slow down is gonner stay a thing for the whole of 2024 or whether next week he rediscovers past form? you can't, no one knows when that moment comes.

And imagine parking SJ in favor of the efforts we have seen from 2025 Metcalf at half last season....sorry but that would be a PR disaster since Metcalf was not as fluid in attack as 2024 SJ and Metcalf was not gonna kick that drop goal that wins the clincher.

But hey, look at Metcalf now, he is flying and arguably surpassing 2024 SJ, but lets not forget it took several rounds of risk to find out he could do it, props to Webster for believing.

So who is looking like the next legend that may be getting too old?

I would say attention has to go on Barnett, while in career best form pre ACL there is no guarantee he comes back the same player, there is a reason there is a user on this site that is called Tohus Knees.

A brave call by Webster would be to give Barnett a capped time limit when he returns to prove he can recapture his past form....look you don't have to sack the guy....an example of succession planning in this sample would be keeping Barnett even if his knee is shot, while having the courage to demote him to back up forward behind someone like Crosby....the next prop youngun star (calm down you Barnett lovers this is a succession discussion and I am making a narrative purely to make a point over what actually might be).