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	The Greatest of All-Time	✔	✔
5	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
6	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
7	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
8	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
9	Jackson Ford	✔
10	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
11	Tohu Harris	✔
12	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	M
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Marcelo Montoya	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
29	Dylan Walker	✔
30	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔
D1	Kalani Going	D
D2	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D
T1	Jett Cleary	T	D	D

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Unconfirmed Development 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 14/30
Confirmed Development 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Te Maire Martin, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Taine Tuaupiki, Dylan Walker, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kalani Going (D), Tanner Stowers-Smith (D), Chanel Harris-Tavita (M), Demitric Vaimauga (C)

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[Noitall]

In a hypothetical situation, if we were to get Briton Nikora as a member mentioned of our pursuit of him, would we need another front rower? Niukore was obviously set to play there this year but had to switch back to the second row when injuries occurred? If we got Nikora that would make him perhaps able to stay in the front row permanently with Capewell on the other side and Laban and Halasima hot on their heels?

 

[cock_o]

In a hypothetical situation, if we were to get Briton Nikora as a member mentioned of our pursuit of him, would we need another front rower? Niukore was obviously set to play there this year but had to switch back to the second row when injuries occurred? If we got Nikora that would make him perhaps able to stay in the front row permanently with Capewell on the other side and Laban and Halasima hot on their heels?

I think if we did sign Briton Nikora then that would mean Niukore could play only as a middle.
Middles would be:

James Fisher-Harris
Mitchell Barnett
Marata Niukore
Demitric Sifakula
Tom Ale
Zyon Maiu’u

Tohu Harris
Dylan Walker
Erin Clark

Also that's once Bunty leaves.

 

[Noitall]

I think if we did sign Briton Nikora then that would mean Niukore could play only as a middle.
Middles would be:

James Fisher-Harris
Mitchell Barnett
Marata Niukore
Demitric Sifakula
Tom Ale
Zyon Maiu’u

Tohu Harris
Dylan Walker
Erin Clark

Also that's once Bunty leaves.

Although another body shape like Willison would be handy, or another imposing forward like Thompson or Whyte, we’re probably set if we got Nikora? Halves is the area in need most of that’s the case

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Sorry guys I thought I put this in the General Recruitment thread but put it in the Warriors recruitment thread
Apology and hope I don’t get Sup42 ed

The dreaded second account!

 

[CWC]

Could replace Walker and Tohu with Thompson etc for 2026, Barney or Clark to lock

Bring Nathan home, quadruple premierships + 1st premiership for the Warriors to become a national icon and statues and stadiums named after you, winning it with his younger brother next to him

“From ball boy to legend, the story of the Clearys”

 

[Wrighty]

Shaun Stevenson not named for end of year tour for All Blacks

Roigard returns, Perenara retained as All Blacks make one change for northern tour

Scott Robertson has resisted the urge for major changes to end 2024.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Aman 2.0]

Have we actually signed anyone yet or no one of note wants to come?

Plenty in the kitty and no noise.

 

[Wrighty]

I think CNK might well play full back or there will be a log jam at centre of first grade ready players who should all be playing.

I think he might well go CNK at full back with Taine as back up full back.

Centres Pompey/Ali/Rocco and if we need a 4th then CNK goes centre with Taine or RTS to full back.

If they really want CNK to play centre then I think they need to bite the bullet and release Rocco. Would keep Ali as he is the future and Pompey offers goal kicking which we badly need.

 

[Damo]

Have we actually signed anyone yet or no one of note wants to come?

Plenty in the kitty and no noise.

I doubt there is much in the kitty, we've pretty much filled our top 30.

 

[Aman 2.0]

I doubt there is much in the kitty, we've pretty much filled our top 30.

We had AFBs (JFH didn’t take all of it), SJs, Montoyas and tevangas salary’s.

Surely that’s not all gone on Clarke and Healy.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Shaun Stevenson not named for end of year tour for All Blacks

Roigard returns, Perenara retained as All Blacks make one change for northern tour

Scott Robertson has resisted the urge for major changes to end 2024.

www.nzherald.co.nz

He must be shit!

 

[cock_o]

We had AFBs (JFH didn’t take all of it), SJs, Montoyas and tevangas salary’s.

Surely that’s not all gone on Clarke and Healy.

Plus that new guy Demitric Vaimauga

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Plus that new guy Demitric Vaimauga

Not sure if you're joking. I guess you are. But just incase, that is Demeitric Sifakula. Just changed his last name.