Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

🤖 AI Summary

📝 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

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9491 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 24s
You don't have permission to regenerate AI summary.
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



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

Repeat offenders will have their access to this page limited.

Please be mindful of what you are posting in this thread before clicking the reply button. Zero Tolerance for off-topic chat.
 
Last edited:
I might've incorrectly taken your statement as saying he's a bit of a flat track bully. Apologies if that's not the case but statistically he averaged 104m pg this year. Solely in losing matches (10) it was 101.4m. Seems pretty consistent, regardless of the teams form, considering 5 of those losses were by 16+
Would you be kind enough if you have the time, and don’t worry if you don’t, to repeat that analysis but factor in average minutes played.
 

NZWarriors.com

I just do not get why there is so mich talk about buying Props. FFS, we have JFH, Barnet, Niukore, Ford Ale Bunty Harris. This forum always want unicorn players they need Halves (incidentally I think MGT had promise there) and speed out wide.

Mate that list is pretty average outside of the first two if you're being fair:

JFH - Fantastic
Barney - Fantastic
Niukore - 6 starts in 7 years at prop in the NRL. Not his main role
Ford - 3 starts at prop in 6 years in the NRL. Not his main role
Ale - Barely played 20m a game this year - prop also isn't his main role.
Bunty - Average. Depth at best. Might be gone nek year anyways
Tohu - Is older and slower, and will likely play prop in stints. Not his main role

We've really only got 2 out n out experienced props for nek year and even then, Barney and JFH are smaller front rowers. Based on those names I think we would be hoping that our propping rotation really aims up next year
 
Last edited:
Mate that list is pretty average outside of the first two if you're being fair:

JFH - Fantastic
Barney - Fantastic
Niukore - 6 starts in 7 years at prop in the NRL. Not his main role
Ford - 3 starts at prop in 6 years in the NRL. Not his main role
Ale - Barely played 20m a game this year - prop also isn't his main role.
Bunty - Average. Depth at best. Might be gone nek year anyways
Tohu - Is older and slower, and will likely play prop in stints. Not his main role

We've really only got 2 out n out experiences props for nek year and even then, Barney and JFH are smaller front rowers. Based on those names I think we would be hoping that our propping rotation really aims up next year
Ford and Ale arnt going to be top class in any other position so bulk them up and make them props and nothing else.
Similar to BHU or RCG
 
Mate that list is pretty average outside of the first two if you're being fair:

JFH - Fantastic
Barney - Fantastic
Niukore - 6 starts in 7 years at prop in the NRL. Not his main role
Ford - 3 starts at prop in 6 years in the NRL. Not his main role
Ale - Barely played 20m a game this year - prop also isn't his main role.
Bunty - Average. Depth at best. Might be gone nek year anyways
Tohu - Is older and slower, and will likely play prop in stints. Not his main role

We've really only got 2 out n out experienced props for nek year and even then, Barney and JFH are smaller front rowers. Based on those names I think we would be hoping that our propping rotation really aims up next year

Now we need to double down on props 🤣 🤣 #PropGate
 
Lussick can play Cup and be a starter when Egan's knocked out, Healey keeps his place on the bench for impact
But I think they'll let Freddy go
If Walker/Tohu are finished then I'd use their $ to buy Thompson and Leota
We have the money to buy Willison now
That's why I said Sifakula needs to trim down for second row. Him, Laban and Halasima sharing the 2 backrow positions to take over Marata and Capewah in 1-2 years, since all our overseas elite kiwi boys with a chance of coming home are all props for some reason
Briton Nikora, available Nov 1, need a stud like him in the no.11
 
Pretty sure they locked him up longer than the Willy Messiah, what’s that tell ya
Means he is as valuable as Billy Walters considering they are signed till end of 26?

Te Kura is a great point of difference with his height and frame, will be interesting to see how he progresses. His only affinity to nz is via his parents? Didnt realise he was born in Aus, and has put his hand up for Qld.
 
Means he is as valuable as Billy Walters considering they are signed till end of 26?

Te Kura is a great point of difference with his height and frame, will be interesting to see how he progresses. His only affinity to nz is via his parents? Didnt realise he was born in Aus, and has put his hand up for Qld.
If POS stayed in the same place for more than 2 years, SOS son of POS would earn a 3 yr deal somewhere as well…. Knights clearing funds for SOS?
 
    Nobody is reading this thread right now.
Back
Top Bottom