Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum centers on the Warriors' 2025/2026 roster planning, with significant focus on roster adjustments and player roles. Discussions highlight Erin Clark's signing #342 as a key middle-forward addition for defensive grit, though some skepticism about his ideal position persists #343. Backline restructuring dominates the dialogue, particularly Marcelo Montoya's likely departure to the Tigers for family reasons #88#232, prompting debates about shifting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to wing despite concerns over his positional fit #13#240. Fan sentiment emphasizes securing Ali Leiataua's long-term deal #192 and explores Taine Tuaupiki's viability at fullback #50#288.
Controversy arises around Josh Curran's critical exit interview, where users #69 interpret his remarks as unprofessional while acknowledging his on-field value. Recruitment targets like Leo Thompson #108 and development signings such as Sam Healey #202 suggest strategic futureproofing. Forward pack balance remains contentious, with members debating Tohu Harris's reduced role #427, Jackson Ford's utility value #404, and dissatisfaction with Marata Niukore's output relative to salary #86#378. The analysis concludes that cap management and injecting pace into the outside backs are critical priorities moving forward.

🏷️ Tags:

Recruitment Strategy, Player Contracts, Backline Restructuring

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

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

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering 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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NZWarriors.com

Depends who replaces him. If it's Roger, would you rather have Monty or Rog on the left wing? I suppose I'd pick Rog, but we're not gaining a lot except freeing up cap space. Now if you were to tell me we're replacing Montoya with the Fox, I'd do some lines in celebration 🍾
Foxx would join you. Mind you 112% of all NRL players coaches staffers corporates executives and shareholders probably would too.
 
Tom Hazleton anyone? Looks like he'll be testing the market come November.

Still young enough that if we signed him for 2026 he'd only be 27 so you could give him a 4 year contract. I like that jes a big body and very different to anything we've got coming through.

I know Willison and Thompson are top of everyone's list but he'd be up there for me
 
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Tom Hazleton anyone? Looks like he'll be testing the market coke November.

Still young enough that if we signed him for 2026 he'd only be 27 so you could give him a 4 year contract. I like that jes a big body and very different to anything we've got coming through.

I know Willison and Thompson are top of everyone's list but he'd be up there for me

Hazleton will be too expensive for us most likely, apparently a few clubs are pretty interested.
 
Shaun Stevenson answers a question about his future at 8:00.

Doesn't say anything explicitly but imo sounds like something noteworthy is coming for him.


View: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LQ0ZJ4DW8pnNcAomzbEq7?si=6HEKVEMqTh2_Boz4ylnS3Q&t=493

That read like: if i'm not included in a all black squad in the next couple of weeks f'u'guys i'm going to the wahs ... from a 2 second google the last test in current round is this weekend so end of year tour squad announced prior to october game in japan
 
Tom Hazleton anyone? Looks like he'll be testing the market coke November.

Still young enough that if we signed him for 2026 he'd only be 27 so you could give him a 4 year contract. I like that jes a big body and very different to anything we've got coming through.

I know Willison and Thompson are top of everyone's list but he'd be up there for me
Jesus! He needs to go see addo carr for that hookup!
 
Shaun Stevenson, pretty good union player. I don’t see why we’d (potentially) release Montoya to sign him.

That’ll be one hell of a gamble, with a moderate chance of success IMO. It’ll probably also mean DWZ’s final year will be next year. He only signed a one year extension.

Stevenson is fast but not lights out fast. Got good ball skills. Was fairly injury prone early in his career.
Could work…….. or could be like RTS and block the transition of our juniors. There’ll certainly be pressure to play him. Otherwise why would he sign, may as well get that money in Europe or Japan.
 
Isn’t there a discount for enticing union players over ala nawaqanatawase? So perhaps it’s around cap management whilst securing someone with huge potential. He’s similar to a will warbrick, tall athletic winger. We don’t have any tall wingers
 
Shaun Stevenson, pretty good union player. I don’t see why we’d (potentially) release Montoya to sign him.

That’ll be one hell of a gamble, with a moderate chance of success IMO. It’ll probably also mean DWZ’s final year will be next year. He only signed a one year extension.

Stevenson is fast but not lights out fast. Got good ball skills. Was fairly injury prone early in his career.
Could work…….. or could be like RTS and block the transition of our juniors. There’ll certainly be pressure to play him. Otherwise why would he sign, may as well get that money in Europe or Japan.
yeah agree - his running style worries me: good in space, sure, but coasts, don't see a lot creativity or aggression - i get the feeling he'd be a bust
 
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