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	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
19	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
25	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
29	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: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 26/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with others clubs from 01/11/25 (final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[Cces]

They will probably expire Ale who’s AWOL for our junior pipeline to come through

He's back this week after what was suggested as bereavement leave. While he, or Bunty, are probably on the cusp of losing their spot he's a 26 year old with 40'ish NRL games & 50 (this weekend) Reserve grade games and has a good motor when he gets regular minutes. His versatility is a POD too.
Salalilo needs a pathway but I think Webster is too conservative to risk having to play Vaimauga, TSS & Salalilo all in a game day 17 early next season if an injury crisis occurs before Barnett returns.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Isn't that supposed to be the pathway for juniors..

Yes it is, but who looks ready? Kali and Amituanai?

 

[Brightman]

Yes it is, but who looks ready? Kali and Amituanai?

Well for this season we seem to be covered for depth in those positions and we have been tested. At a pinch Kali could get a debut in the last round of we can afford to give a first choice a rest.
Next season who knows, both could kick on and impress enough early to earn a shot..
I still think recruiting should be aimed at filing a void we can't..

 

[Falcon]

For all the exciting junior developments and players making nice progress in lower grades, alot are going to benefit from another season or two in NSW Cup, and be more likely to be ready to be exposed to first grade at the end of next season or in 2027.
The last thing anyone wants is to expose a good young player too early, both physically and mentally.

 

[watcher]

I think Doehi and Wilson would, if picked up at reasonable cost add value to the squad for next year.

Of the players off contract I think only TMM adds value. Neither Ale or Bunty compel an upgrade.

Decisions need to be made as the player market will be feral.

I do not see the logic of putting a rehabbing player in yhe top 30.

 

[Blain]

I think Doehi and Wilson would, if picked up at reasonable cost add value to the squad for next year.

Of the players off contract I think only TMM adds value. Neither Ale or Bunty compel an upgrade.

Decisions need to be made as the player market will be feral.

I do not see the logic of putting a rehabbing player in yhe top 30.

I think decisions have been made, we just don't know about it TBH. They haven't even confirmed our top 30 squad for this season, which was locked in a few weeks ago. Kayliss Fatialofa popping up in this weeks squad confirms he has been upgraded potentially. Jye Linnane is not in the top 30 by the way. He was on a development deal at the Knights, we would not get him over here early to rehab and take a NRL roster spot. But to be fair, they have not been clear about any of this.

 

[france]

For all the exciting junior developments and players making nice progress in lower grades, alot are going to benefit from another season or two in NSW Cup, and be more likely to be ready to be exposed to first grade at the end of next season or in 2027.
The last thing anyone wants is to expose a good young player too early, both physically and mentally.

yep mate..some are ready,but alot of them not so

 

[cock_o]

Maybe they have added Jye Linnane to the top 30 for the rest of the year, just to get him over early and rehab him. Definitely an interesting move.
Otherwise he is not connected at the moment but he is here .

 

[ajofbrisbane]

Jordan Riki spotted in Auckland.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Jordan Riki spotted in Auckland.

Suuuuuuuurely not..

I'd be gutted if we signed him (although, with a bit of Webby magic maybe he becomes elite).

Born in Raglan and grew up in Chch, hopefully he's just here to see whanau as Broncos have the bye this week

 

[Pop Dukez]

Jordan Riki spotted in Auckland.

They’ve got a bye, he’s just visiting friends & fam

 

[ajofbrisbane]

They’ve got a bye, he’s just visiting friends & fam

Could be, but a cryptic photo on his insta with a floodlight tower in the back ground.

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Could be, but a cryptic photo on his insta with a floodlight tower in the back ground.

Any floodlight expert know if those are mt smart ones

 

[Spence]

Any floodlight expert know if those are mt smart ones

Yeah that’s the one by the end of east stand/gate C - which is where you would be if you were meeting staff at the offices.

 

[Riz]

I don't dislike Riki as a player, but I can't see why we'd need another back rower.

 

[LUKAMIKIAFU]

Jordan Riki spotted in Auckland.

Oh god please no

 

[Sammyw]

im at the point where i trust webby to get the best out of anyone, full faith in them. i dont rate riki but if it eventuated i wouldnt be mad. Niukore permanent bench middle with a backrow rotation of capes/leka/laban/riki isnt bad.

 

[Riz]

im at the point where i trust webby to get the best out of anyone, full faith in them. i dont rate riki but if it eventuated i wouldnt be mad. Niukore permanent bench middle with a backrow rotation of capes/leka/laban/riki isnt bad.

It's the Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Kayliss Fatialofa, etc, etc that make it a questionable acquisition.

 

[sup42]

You can never have too many good NRL quality back rowers. I would prefer Riki's to consistency to Marata's efforts.

 

[Sammyw]

It's the Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Kayliss Fatialofa, etc, etc that make it a questionable acquisition.

highly likely that capes and niukore are both gone within the next 18 months, need to balance youth with experience. Riki could be that balance, low risk on the compassionate release card too