Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum focuses extensively on the Warriors' 2025/2026 contract situations, recruitment targets, and roster evaluations. Key discussions revolve around Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Tigers #223#230, which fans attribute to backline depth and family considerations, while debating Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential shift to wing. Erin Clark's signing as a middle forward #342 generates mixed reactions about his role conversion from hooker. Notable contract concerns include Bunty Afoa's uncertain future #391 and priority re-signings for young talents like Ali Leiataua. Positional debates feature strong opinions about Tohu Harris' reduced role #427, Mitch Barnett's workload management #401, and Jackson Ford's utility value #402. Recruitment speculation highlights interest in Leo Thompson #393#403 amid salary cap constraints. Critical analyses of departing players emerge, including Josh Curran's criticism of Andrew Webster #51#115932 and Jazz Tevaga's emotional exit #437. Fans consistently urge roster upgrades to address goal-kicking deficiencies and spine depth ahead of 2025.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Contracts, Outside Backs, Forward Recruitment

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9546 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 20s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Jett ClearySS
9Wayde Egan
10James Fisher-Harris
11Jackson Ford
12Leka Halasima
13Morgan Harper
14Chanel Harris-Tavita
15Sam Healey
16Edward Kosi
17Jacob Laban
18Ali Leiataua
19Jye Linnane
20Freddy Lussick
21Te Maire Martin
22Luke Metcalf
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
24Marata Niukore
25Adam Pompey
26Tanner Stowers-Smith
27Taine Tuaupiki
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
29Demitric Vaimauga
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-
-Haizyn Mellars
-Motu PasikalaT??
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), 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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Khan-Pereira is about the worst option the Warriors could get. He has a high error rate and doesn’t do any work out of the back field. Hence why he’s been dropped by Hasler even with his try scoring record and he doesn’t fit the Warriors system. I much rather have Sami he fits a lot better the Warriors system
It is funny that one of our desperate solves is the need for a defensive Winger and this guys name comes up.

We need his speed, why? so he can make errors and let in more Try's faster?

You have to laugh. The Warriors need defensive backs that are not slow. In that order.
 

NZWarriors.com

It is funny that one of our desperate solves is the need for a defensive Winger and this guys name comes up.

We need his speed, why? so he can make errors and let in more Try's faster?

You have to laugh. The Warriors need defensive backs that are not slow. In that order.

We have currently the leagues 4th best defence and 13th best offence. One area has much more room to improve. If AKP can even be a slightly below average winger defensively thats a net gain considering what he offers on attack.
 
Is that the way it is because Webby wants that or because the players we have force it to be that way
well, both, but still haven't moved on from Big Ed cos he trucks the ball up well, Monty was all effort with limited sizzle, DWZ in his younger days stood out for how hard he would charge onto the ball despite not being a big guy, now Roger is being an absolute tradesman out there.

Its cappy too - he debuted and showed faith in big Ken.
 
We have currently the leagues 4th best defence and 13th best offence. One area has much more room to improve. If AKP can even be a slightly below average winger defensively thats a net gain considering what he offers on attack.
I get the argument.

We released Fusitua and Vailea, both with defensive frailties and work output issues because hiring guys that are poor defenders in the hope they mitigate it with attack is a false economy.
 
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I get the argument but it is the same false economy that saw us release Fusitua and Vailea.

False economy?

Webby's had 3 years with this team, and to date, has taken them to top 4 twice, regardless of where injuries have us at the end of this year.

Obvs he's inherited many players who he sees as not suiting his style of play, so ones the likes of TMM, Bunty, Ale, Niukore and a few others move on, I think we're going to see some magic

I'm particularly looking forward to the next two years when the youth brigade - Demi, Ali, Leka, Healey, TSS, Laban, Gannon, Linnene, Jett, and Fatialofa are all getting good game time.

I think with all that promising youth coming through, and likely on cheaper contracts, we only need to recruit two or three top players to really give the competition a shake up in 2027 or so.
 
False economy?

Webby's had 3 years with this team, and to date, has taken them to top 4 twice, regardless of where injuries have us at the end of this year.

Obvs he's inherited many players who he sees as not suiting his style of play, so ones the likes of TMM, Bunty, Ale, Niukore and a few others move on, I think we're going to see some magic

I'm particularly looking forward to the next two years when the youth brigade - Demi, Ali, Leka, Healey, TSS, Laban, Gannon, Linnene, Jett, and Fatialofa are all getting good game time.

I think with all that promising youth coming through, and likely on cheaper contracts, we only need to recruit two or three top players to really give the competition a shake up in 2027 or so.
Next year The comp will be on notice if we manage just a coupla injuries.
 
False economy?

Webby's had 3 years with this team, and to date, has taken them to top 4 twice, regardless of where injuries have us at the end of this year.

Obvs he's inherited many players who he sees as not suiting his style of play, so ones the likes of TMM, Bunty, Ale, Niukore and a few others move on, I think we're going to see some magic

I'm particularly looking forward to the next two years when the youth brigade - Demi, Ali, Leka, Healey, TSS, Laban, Gannon, Linnene, Jett, and Fatialofa are all getting good game time.

I think with all that promising youth coming through, and likely on cheaper contracts, we only need to recruit two or three top players to really give the competition a shake up in 2027 or so.

I see my post was ambiguous. I meant the opposite of how you read it. My fault. I have edited it for clarity.
 
There's hype around him for sure but I haven't seen anyone suggest he'll take Clark's starting role. Clark has averaged 57 mins this season. Some of the minutes he's been off we've had Vaimauga play that role but other times, albeit for short 5-10 minute stints in game, we just play 3 very plain middle forwards and score we few points. If Vaimauga become a genuine starter then we desperately need some form of creativity when both he & Clark are spelled. Gannon might just be that guy, who can also play edge when Capewell/Niukore fatigue
Is Healey going to be capable of spelling Clark at 13 if he gets a regular bench spot, or is he strictly a hooker?
 
Khan-Pereira is about the worst option the Warriors could get. He has a high error rate and doesn’t do any work out of the back field. Hence why he’s been dropped by Hasler even with his try scoring record and he doesn’t fit the Warriors system. I much rather have Sami he fits a lot better the Warriors system
I have a friend who works for Dynasty, he said they had some of the Titans in for a photo shoot and that AKP was the biggest f***head, he was publicly blowing up their marketing manager because they were running late,
generally carrying on like he owned the place, some of the other players were rolling eyes and said he would be spoken to later about it.

I'm sure if he is like that then Erin and Tanah would give the club the heads up.
 
I have a friend who works for Dynasty, he said they had some of the Titans in for a photo shoot and that AKP was the biggest f***head, he was publicly blowing up their marketing manager because they were running late,
generally carrying on like he owned the place, some of the other players were rolling eyes and said he would be spoken to later about it.

I'm sure if he is like that then Erin and Tanah would give the club the heads up.
Good read. Stuff we as fans don't get to hear about which hopefully the decision makers do.
 
I have a friend who works for Dynasty, he said they had some of the Titans in for a photo shoot and that AKP was the biggest f***head, he was publicly blowing up their marketing manager because they were running late,
generally carrying on like he owned the place, some of the other players were rolling eyes and said he would be spoken to later about it.

I'm sure if he is like that then Erin and Tanah would give the club the heads up.
Fuck that then, what did he say about Sami, is he a dickhead?
 
I have a friend who works for Dynasty, he said they had some of the Titans in for a photo shoot and that AKP was the biggest f***head, he was publicly blowing up their marketing manager because they were running late,
generally carrying on like he owned the place, some of the other players were rolling eyes and said he would be spoken to later about it.

I'm sure if he is like that then Erin and Tanah would give the club the heads up.
Their forum says he’s got a real ego
 
I have a friend who works for Dynasty, he said they had some of the Titans in for a photo shoot and that AKP was the biggest f***head, he was publicly blowing up their marketing manager because they were running late,
generally carrying on like he owned the place, some of the other players were rolling eyes and said he would be spoken to later about it.

I'm sure if he is like that then Erin and Tanah would give the club the heads up.
This sheds some light on why he cant get game time and is being offloaded. Whats with dudes who can run fast and have crazy big egos..

Revoke my sign assessment. Pass
 
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