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.

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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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Feel like I'm the only one. But if SJ is going into a coaching role for our halfs and metcalf is still really keen on taking the 7 now that SJ retired. Then i think he'd make for a great 7 and stick around.
Just because he is Aussie does not mean he will up and leave for a good offer. Plenty of great kiwis stay in aus teams forever, can't see why it can't happen the other way around.

I'm convinced we will be all-in on Metcalf next year.

I've said he'll wear 7 but can understand if he wears 6 with TMM 7. But I really think you will see Metcalf running the show

Edit:
We haven't invested as much as we have for him to be a 'chime-in' 6
 

NZWarriors.com

The interesting ones for me are CNK, Taine, Pompey and TMM.

Potentially unpopular opinion but….
I’d lowball CNK, Pompey and TMM.

I’d offer TMM, 4-450k (Mid level half)
CNK, 3-350k (Taine fullback 2026)
Pompey, The minimum. (Depends on Ali)
Take it or leave it.

CNK and TMM have their families here so may be a little easier to pressure them.
Pompey, I’m actually one of the few who seem to like Pompey. But by then Ali is hopefully coming right and CNK hands over fullback to Taine for 2026.
All depends on their form in 2025. Trindall at the Sharks played half a dozen decent games, media saying he is worth 3 x his current rate. TMM and the others kill it next year, your theory is null and void.
 
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All depends on their form in 2025. Trindall at the Sharks player half a dozen decent games, media saying he is worth 3 x his current rate. TMM and the others kill it next year, your theory is null and void.
lol, no it’s not.
Them “killing it” just means that they get resigned……
How much………? Low ball.
They don’t have to sign the contract lol.

(I predict many are going to have a decent years……. It’s contract year. Funny how that happens aye)

I’ll admit, Maybe I was a little brash about TMM. Nothing higher then 600k. He has a family and a business. (And a member says he wants to stay)

But the other 3 (CNK,Pompey and CHT) take it or leave lads.

It’s ok, I knew it’ll be a fairly unpopular opinion.
 
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I'm convinced we will be all-in on Metcalf next year.

I've said he'll wear 7 but can understand if he wears 6 with TMM 7. But I really think you will see Metcalf running the show

Edit:
We haven't invested as much as we have for him to be a 'chime-in' 6
The season probably hinges on young (not that young anymore) Luke TBH.

Te Maire has many good qualities, but can only do short kicks, so Metcalf is probably going to be goalkicker, last play kick if its more than 30m out, main support player, primary have a go on his own half, choose which option to hit on right side shifts, teams will run at him all game.

History says he'll probably break down under all that, so they do need to sign some sort of half or get Taine playing as both a 1 and a 6.
 
The season probably hinges on young (not that young anymore) Luke TBH.

Te Maire has many good qualities, but can only do short kicks, so Metcalf is probably going to be goalkicker, last play kick if its more than 30m out, main support player, primary have a go on his own half, choose which option to hit on right side shifts, teams will run at him all game.

History says he'll probably break down under all that, so they do need to sign some sort of half or get Taine playing as both a 1 and a 6.
Taine should be an option too, decent general play kicker when Roache wasn’t fkn it up toward end of NSW Cup season… he rarely got an opportunity.

The Cup coach ruined that side, only excuse would be that Hanson, TT and co. all had quad strains or carrying lower limb injuries.
 
I'm being repetitive but even if TMM/Metcalf play at their ceiling next year (doubtful) and one of them can actually kick a ball effectively enough for us to make finals, the odds of one getting a serious injury is surely more than 80%. The chance both get hurt is more than 50% based off every season.

For those more informed, is there any possible options in the UK? We could pay overs and offer an NRL starting spot to someone, surely that's attractive.

SJ falling into our laps was very lucky for the club, and their lack of forward planning in 2023 is shocking. Next year is legit looking like a write off if we can't get a 7, ideally as a starter but if not as a strong back up.
 
I'm convinced we will be all-in on Metcalf next year.

I've said he'll wear 7 but can understand if he wears 6 with TMM 7. But I really think you will see Metcalf running the show

Edit:
We haven't invested as much as we have for him to be a 'chime-in' 6
Such a risk from the club! He's not put one season together!!! How can we hang our hat on him?

We need another halfback even dear I say it..... journeyman!
 
I’m keen to see TMM get some kicking practice in over the off season. There must be a union, AFL , soccer or NRL kicking coach around who can help him??
Halligan is still the warriors kicking coach.

When TMM was at Panthers, he would practice kicking with Cleary. You wouldnt even think hes been practised kicking for years based on seeing his kicks.

This article from 2016:

If after atleast 8 years of kicking practice it is the way it is, i dont think one preseason will solve much.

We need a halfback.
 
Halligan is still the warriors kicking coach.

When TMM was at Panthers, he would practice kicking with Cleary. You wouldnt even think hes been practised kicking for years based on seeing his kicks.

This article from 2016:

If after atleast 8 years of kicking practice it is the way it is, i dont think one preseason will solve much.

We need a halfback.
Halligan is the goal kicking coach. Do we know if there is a general field kicking coach?
 
We always seem to want the unicorn, solve all problems player. Very rare beast.

These are the ones, a step across player, from another club. Does not have to be a dmm star someone who can execute team patterns.

A step in player, someone with all round skills converted to Half, MTG for me, in one game in FG he was under pressure on last tackle. He puy a kick in that seemed controlled and natutal. Might have been a complete fluke but not to me. He can use his strength at DH close to the line.

A step up player someone in the squad taking a position for himself by improvin in pre season. LM likely as is TMM, CHT as well.
 
Or we really end up with Pompey at 7 when both halves get injured…didn’t he say he trains there?

Btw Volkman still looks a decent option…
 
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I'm being repetitive but even if TMM/Metcalf play at their ceiling next year (doubtful) and one of them can actually kick a ball effectively enough for us to make finals, the odds of one getting a serious injury is surely more than 80%. The chance both get hurt is more than 50% based off every season.

For those more informed, is there any possible options in the UK? We could pay overs and offer an NRL starting spot to someone, surely that's attractive.

SJ falling into our laps was very lucky for the club, and their lack of forward planning in 2023 is shocking. Next year is legit looking like a write off if we can't get a 7, ideally as a starter but if not as a strong back up.

There's nothing in the UK, it would be a bigger risk than going to bush footy and signing the best halfback you see lol.
 
Such a risk from the club! He's not put one season together!!! How can we hang our hat on him?

We need another halfback even dear I say it..... journeyman!

You hang your hat because you have no other option!

At this stage, you need to hope his injuries are behind him.

Think of Benji, across 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
- Shoulder dislocation x 4
- Shoulder surgery x 3 (includes 2 reconstructions).

He averaged 24 games per season for the next 5 years after that - he came through it.

LM either does or he doesn't which is an obvious thing to say. But to answer your question again, we simply have no option but to trust his injuries are behind him and that he is an attacking threat - it's not that far fetched, but neither is the opposite....
 
We always seem to want the unicorn, solve all problems player. Very rare beast.

These are the ones, a step across player, from another club. Does not have to be a dmm star someone who can execute team patterns.

A step in player, someone with all round skills converted to Half, MTG for me, in one game in FG he was under pressure on last tackle. He puy a kick in that seemed controlled and natutal. Might have been a complete fluke but not to me. He can use his strength at DH close to the line.

A step up player someone in the squad taking a position for himself by improvin in pre season. LM likely as is TMM, CHT as well.
Sean O'Sullivan 😉🤣
 
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