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	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
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	✔	✔
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	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔
S1	Kalani Going	S
S2	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Jett Cleary	T	S	S

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Development 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 16/30
Confirmed Development 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

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

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[Canonball]

For all the people anti the Stevenson potential pick, Uncle Wayne wanted him, why do you think he wanted him?

when? and for what position? how long would he take to learn the game?... i'm a massive doubter - and just don't see him as necessary to our cub now - it's such a weird one, the longevity of the rumour too - why?

 

[france]

when? and for what position? how long would he take to learn the game?... i'm a massive doubter - and just don't see him as necessary to our cub now - it's such a weird one, the longevity of the rumour too - why?

good question..its a no from me..we have enough guys to cover wing atm..let alone buy someone who hasnt played league js

 

[CWC]

Confirmed: Montoya signs with the dogs until the end of the 26’ season.

Their forum is in panic mode

Well their team song is about to get a massive upgrade. “We’re the Doggies 100%!!”

 

[hornbybrown]

Martin Devlin who started this rumour yesterday about Stevenson is now saying it might be bullshit

 

[Ever Hopeful]

A few Renee Ranger vibes going on here

 

[JaggedJ]

Martin Devlin who started this rumour yesterday about Stevenson is now saying it might be bullshit

I'm shocked. Shocked I say, shocked.

........shocked.

 

[Funky Ed Koosie]

I can’t quite wrap my head around people wanting Stevenson

He’s 28 in a few weeks, He’s never played league, and the All Blacks XV dont finish up until mid November so he won’t even get a full preseason

Would the idea be for him to play Cup a full year like Warbrick did? (Who was 23 when he started with the Storm Ill add) Because if that’s the case then we are using a roster spot on a project in hopes we have 29 year old winger in a years time.

Or you throw him straight in there like RTS did? When RTS was mid at best most of the first half of this season, maybe the whole year, and that is just a couple years removed from being one of the best players in league.

Someone please try make it make sense

Bro, Rene Ranger says wat

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Martin Devlin who started this rumour yesterday about Stevenson is now saying it might be bullshit

As I stated yesterday haha. That guy pulls shit out of his arse

 

[Worried2Death]

I'm shocked. Shocked I say, shocked.

........shocked.

We've been duped sir... duped I say!

 

[John Nick]

As I stated yesterday haha. That guy pulls shit out of his arse

Absolutely. Nothing has changed

 

[Wrighty]

Good
a) He was too old to learn a new code
b) Weak defensively

 

[Makasene]

Our centre issues have been solved!

I have a highly trusted source who is betting the house on this signing.

Finally, after being linked for so long, all our prayers will be answered.

Steve Matai is in the 10 day cooling off period.

 

[Billyspleen75]

A few Renee Ranger vibes going on here

Ahhh the good ol days

 

[timburgesstheonlyoneiknow]

I can’t quite wrap my head around people wanting Stevenson

He’s 28 in a few weeks, He’s never played league, and the All Blacks XV dont finish up until mid November so he won’t even get a full preseason

Would the idea be for him to play Cup a full year like Warbrick did? (Who was 23 when he started with the Storm Ill add) Because if that’s the case then we are using a roster spot on a project in hopes we have 29 year old winger in a years time.

Or you throw him straight in there like RTS did? When RTS was mid at best most of the first half of this season, maybe the whole year, and that is just a couple years removed from being one of the best players in league.

Someone please try make it make sense

Doesn't make sense to me. He will need 12 months in Nsw cup. It will be like the ex Union winger for Tigers...I think he played for Waikato or chiefs. He is very average and is NSW cup level or less

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Our centre issues have been solved!

I have a highly trusted source who is betting the house on this signing.

Finally, after being linked for so long, all our prayers will be answered.

Steve Matai is in the 10 day cooling off period.

Bro there will be forummers too young for these jokes.

 

[peewee]

This Recruitment Forum is absolutely bored shitless.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

This Recruitment Forum is absolutely bored shitless.

Especially when you see the James Gavet thread re open.

 

[cock_o]

Whens Bunty to Eels going to be announced?

 

[Matiunz]

I find it odd that Stevenson would be picked for the AB's second XV when he was on the verge of leaving.

For that alone I'm struggling to believe it.

Yeah this is what makes me doubt it also- they wouldn’t waste there time if he wasn’t sticking around, they’d give the spot to develop another player.

 

[Matiunz]

Not going to let myself believe the club could be so stupid as to sign failed rugby players.

Wouldn’t call him a failed player, he’s had a decent career- just can’t crack the ABs in a traditionally strong position. I’d be more annoyed if our recruitment wasn’t exploring all avenues for potential players. Beggars can’t really be choosers when Ed Kosi is the next cab up…