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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[Inruin]

Feel like it’s coming along though. David Tangata Toa was surely part of this process back at the panthers before he came over here and Andrew Auimatagi seems to be having success. We’re accumulating a good bunch

yes, the pathways definitely seem to be improving. We have been on the back foot a fair bit after being based in Australia and the COVID years.

The tap has now been turned on, it will just take a little while to fill the pool.

I think that, as long as the club and fans are patient, we will be in a great position in 3-5 years. That's predominantly where the club has fallen down in the past, wanting immediate success and making rash changes when it doesn't happen, usually to the coaching staff.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

The tap has now been turned on, it will just take a little while to fill the pool.

This is the best take, for me.

I think people under estimate just how bad Covid screwed us. The lockdown policies are a separate conversation, but the results were that our country literally ground to a halt for a significant period of time.

 

[CWC]

Would be interested to see how the hype goes next year, the team's success might correlate with schoolboy interest in joining the production line

Awfully quiet about the Christchurch team since the pre-season

It's just crazy watching ABs and Wallabies played last week and the backline moves are just the same with players in motion and the No.8 moving the ball wide to the No.10, except league decoys are faster than union props

 

[watcher]

Sean O'Sullivan

Would we turn him down?

 

[Completion Rate]

Yup that's why we need a back up halfback if plan A fails when they go down as usual, Metcalf played about 15 games across 2 years and TMM about half over the same period.

The injury toll is probably contributed by Webby playing 2 backs on the bench, busting injured senior players till they tear a muscle and giving 5min to the 4th bench player to relieve...busted players.

And I reckon they need to work out a plan to cheat the HIA subs when you're losing 2-3 backs in one game

I think their backup plan is throwing one of the young halves they have on development contracts into the deep end. Hanson most likely first then Cleary.
It's not a bad idea to keep those spots free for young halves and just gamble on them as they come through. That way you keep the contact value low on any young superstar that emerges and you cycle through cohorts of players more efficiently so that the cream rises that you then lock up.
It also benefits the roster makeup in having more space for depth in key positions that need extended development in cup (FRF, SRF, CTR)

They ain't looking for a superstar signing. The window has closed. We're in the development cycle properly now. Team culture and roster building is the focus now.

 

[Noitall]

yes, the pathways definitely seem to be improving. We have been on the back foot a fair bit after being based in Australia and the COVID years.

The tap has now been turned on, it will just take a little while to fill the pool.

I think that, as long as the club and fans are patient, we will be in a great position in 3-5 years. That's predominantly where the club has fallen down in the past, wanting immediate success and making rash changes when it doesn't happen, usually to the coaching staff.

As much as patience is required, we also need get back to success on the field historically to attract recruits, but if all goes according to plan to now hold onto talent and be a club competing in finals consistently. The club has done a great job in creating something unique at the home games and I love that the players invite the fans to participate in the team song upon a win, I haven’t seen any other club do this and as a Kiwi on the opposite side it must be something to behold when the stadium is packed out. Feels like we’re right there to get back to the type of season that we did last season with so many results so winnable for us this season too. Our back 5 showed last year they can foot it with the best and even though we lose AFB, we still have a strong pack. All that’s needed is a strong halfback to lead us around the park. I’m certainly not writing off TMM to be able to do that but in the back of my mind I find it strange how SJ midway through the season seemed all set to continue and the manner he finished his career showed he had something in the tank, though limited. We seem a halve short so I’ll be interested in what the off season has in store

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I’m certainly not writing off TMM to be able to do that but in the back of my mind I find it strange how SJ midway through the season seemed all set to continue and the manner he finished his career showed he had something in the tank, though limited. We seem a halve short so I’ll be interested in what the off season has in store

Yeah I've said it to anyone who will listen to me, but I really believe we haven't seen the end of SJ just yet.

Whether it's a swansong in Vegas, or an SOS half way through the year, I think we'll see him atleast one more time in Warriors colours

 

[tajhay]

Demetric Vaimauga I think he has changed his name too

Good call. Looks like he has dropped Sifakula from his name going forward.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Would be great if Jerome Hughes gets homesick over the off-season.

Nines WWoS, released and article yesterday from “The Mole” saying he almost came a few years ago. We offered him 1 million.

If we go down the rabbit hole abit. Jahrome Hughes is on a reported 900k at Melbourne. If he wins the premiership, that’ll be 2 to his name. Not bad, he’s turning 30 this year. He doesn’t have to long to go.

We are probably the only club he could get a release along “compassionate grounds” for. (Although I believe his family are in Queensland).
I can also think of about 1.25 million other reasons he should come back here also.

 

[Noitall]

Yeah I've said it to anyone who will listen to me, but I really believe we haven't seen the end of SJ just yet.

Whether it's a swansong in Vegas, or an SOS half way through the year, I think we'll see him atleast one more time in Warriors colours

Either that or we’ve got someone lined up? I’m not writing off a happy and content TMM either but we’re short a halve

 

[Noitall]

Nines WWoS, released and article yesterday from “The Mole” saying he almost came a few years ago. We offered him 1 million.

If we go down the rabbit hole abit. Jahrome Hughes is on a reported 900k at Melbourne. If he wins the premiership, that’ll be 2 to his name. Not bad, he’s turning 30 this year. He doesn’t have to long to go.

We are probably the only club he could get a release along “passionate grounds” for. (Although I believe his family are in Queensland).
I can also think of about 1.25 million other reasons he should come back here also.

Must say I did get my hopes up that a couple of storm players gave him a haka in hopes it was a farewell

 

[Garry Saloon]

Yeah I've said it to anyone who will listen to me, but I really believe we haven't seen the end of SJ just yet.

Whether it's a swansong in Vegas, or an SOS half way through the year, I think we'll see him atleast one more time in Warriors colours

Dreamin

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Must say I did get my hopes up that a couple of storm players gave him a haka in hopes it was a farewell

Aw bro, he’s going to be in the Kiwis (god I hope) in a few weeks, much of which will be in NZ. What an excellent opportunity to…….. reconnect with his roots. An overwhelming call of home.

And hey, think of it from Melbournes perspective. They have a young Tyran Wishart to accommodate. Jahrome surely wouldn’t want to hold him back. A player like him isn’t going to kick stones forever. Lol

If they win the premiership this year, why not send Jahrome on his way. Let him cash in.

 

[Cces]

Another dummy half. Yet to debut in Q Cup though & my estimate is he's 19 years old. No indication as what type of contract

 

[Noitall]

Another dummy half. Yet to debut in Q Cup though & my estimate is he's 19 years old. No indication as what type of contract View attachment 9775

Would he be replacing the outgoing Kaawyn Patterson?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Current article on the Panthers stating they have an 11 (yes 11) person retention and recruitment team. And the focus is on retention. Only bought in about 5 players during their 5 GF run. All retention/recruitment /development personnel are on the same page.

Dunno how they do it, but I wonder if they take an intelligence cell approach, with cascading events and most likely scenarios etc.

 

[timburgesstheonlyoneiknow]

CNK could be a real option as a No.6. He looked good the game he played there and from memory he has experience of the position as a Junior.

The options are rather slim. I was having lunch with mate who is in Sydney for the grand final. We were saying there is a real lack of young quality 6 or 7 in the game. Aside from Dearden, Cleary and Sam Walker. A number of the best players in those positions are 30 years old or more.

 

[Noitall]

CNK could be a real option as a No.6. He looked good the game he played there and from memory he has experience of the position as a Junior.

The options are rather slim. I was having lunch with mate who is in Sydney for the grand final. We were saying there is a real lack of young quality 6 or 7 in the game. Aside from Dearden, Cleary and Sam Walker. A number of the best players in those positions are 30 years old or more.

Are we underestimating TMM and the fact he’s coming into that age you mention of halves hitting their best years? Had a few years out and a limited kicking game but he was pretty good in SJ’s absence at halfback. Either way we seem to have 3 nrl ready halves in TMM, Metcalf and CHT. Either Hansen or Roache could be the fourth, but a recruit would be handy I reckon

 

[Dannevegas]

Are we underestimating TMM and the fact he’s coming into that age you mention of halves hitting their best years? Had a few years out and a limited kicking game but he was pretty good in SJ’s absence at halfback. Either way we seem to have 3 nrl ready halves in TMM, Metcalf and CHT. Either Hansen or Roache could be the fourth, but a recruit would be handy I reckon

Hansen’s hardly cup level. And Roache is only a hooker in grade.
Of we don’t buy any halves I would like to see charnze as a halves option, hopefully he has a kicking game.

 

[CWC]

Charnz is my centre and 6/1 cover so we need a half, even if Metcalf is still on the field that back up half doesn’t need to kick

Or maybe their back up plan at 7 is either CHT or Charnz/Taine to 6 and Metcalf to 7, it’s worth a go since those Cup aussie halfbacks filled in quite well for their teams so Metcalf a FG starter might fill in quite well, his passing game improved a lot. If he can stay on the field.