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

Really interesting regarding Leo Thompson and the speculation around raiders. Nothing can offered at present so obviously just interest but his price could get pushed up too high if interest is too willing? There’s also his brother and do they advertise themselves as a package deal? If that’s the case that pushes their price up further, though the upside of the two could be huge? A club like ours with JFH could be huge for their development, though their youth could block some highly regarded young players already at the club? Interested in that rumour some time ago on here regarding Naufahu Whyte and wonder if he or Siua Wong could be pushed out of the roosters?
I really believe we will sign Leo Thompson. We currently have very senior players at the back end of their careers and raw potential with a smattering of first grade but nothing in between.
This signing would ensure over the next 2/4 years you have a settled and established front row combo with another few good years of young guys getting good first grade exposure with a view to transition into starters.
You heard it here first. 👍🏾
 
I really believe we will sign Leo Thompson. We currently have very senior players at the back end of their careers and raw potential with a smattering of first grade but nothing in between.
This signing would ensure over the next 2/4 years you have a settled and established front row combo with another few good years of young guys getting good first grade exposure with a view to transition into starters.
You heard it here first. 👍🏾
Would love that. With him going to market in November, if we were to secure him fairly quickly it would be interesting to see if the knights would cut their losses considering that Tyrone Thompson gets there on a development contract and would be a waste of time for them unless he was staying on himself and Leo departed? You could imagine that if it came to that then a player trade would be sought by the knights for an early release?
 
Would love that. With him going to market in November, if we were to secure him fairly quickly it would be interesting to see if the knights would cut their losses considering that Tyrone Thompson gets there on a development contract and would be a waste of time for them unless he was staying on himself and Leo departed? You could imagine that if it came to that then a player trade would be sought by the knights for an early release?

They can have Bunty and Kosi
 
I guess we are now waiting for
a) the playoffs to be complete
secondly b) November 1st
Before we all start reading Zero tackle every day.

I still think there will be an email to Dylan Brown's agent. Their team might say no. But I can't see us not asking.
 
I guess we are now waiting for
a) the playoffs to be complete
secondly b) November 1st
Before we all start reading Zero tackle every day.

I still think there will be an email to Dylan Brown's agent. Their team might say no. But I can't see us not asking.
People tend to get hung upon that November 1st thing and tend to get disappointed when there’s not the flurry of signings they were expecting.
 
People tend to get hung upon that November 1st thing and tend to get disappointed when there’s not the flurry of signings they were expecting.
100% agree

That said there are above average number of players free for 2026. This will be a busy off season. But yes no news for sone weeks after Nov 1,
 
100% agree

That said there are above average number of players free for 2026. This will be a busy off season. But yes no news for sone weeks after Nov 1,
If you are a decent player, and probably have demand for your services it would make very little sense to sign a contract as soon as that window is open - unless ofcourse you had been waiting for that team to come knocking and know no team will outmatch that offer. 12 months is a long time and if you are half decent, you would have to be a moron to sign a contract that early.

And btw noone would be reading zerotackle for news. They have become a bit of a joke - one of their headlines in past few days was that "Latrell signs for Broncos". It was Latrell Siegwalt a QLD cup player.
 
    Nobody is reading this thread right now.
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