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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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…
Everybody is wondering this and wondering that.
Warriors are so slow at signing or even looking at anyone.
Though just thinking, If we wait long enough we will be able to pick up all the scraps that are left behind.
Absolute Bullshit by the recruitment staff.
Could of solved a wing spot with JAC, nah just let some other club have him.
 

NZWarriors.com

Why do Warriors management seem intent on "releasing" the more personable and therefore more influential players? eg Jazz and now Marcel. I'm worried that this will only weaken the team and raise the strength of other teams they are released to.
Because winning is the highest priority I suppose. We may be sacrificing the energy guys for performance levels. As in we want to win
 

Ben Hunt turns 35 in March next year is available for offers for the 2026 season.

Maybe Tookey has a point that we can talk SJ into one more year who is 6 months younger. What about if we offer him a cushy year of ten regular season games max. And find the rest out of CHT/TMM/Metcalf
It will be bad from a building combinations perspective but we always seem to be rotating halves anyway.
 
Everybody is wondering this and wondering that.
Warriors are so slow at signing or even looking at anyone.
Though just thinking, If we wait long enough we will be able to pick up all the scraps that are left behind.
Absolute Bullshit by the recruitment staff.
Could of solved a wing spot with JAC, nah just let some other club have him.
....I guess "In Webby we trust" has run it's course then ;)

If anything it seems like they have a plan, they keep it tight, and we find out after the fact. And currently they're moving lads on for roster space ... upgrades for juniors or negotiations underway who knows. JAC would have been an awful pickup. Have some chill mate, next year is our year haha
 
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…
The goal of any NZ rugby player is to play for the AB's. He didn't = failure. I used that descriptor because I wouldnt be opposed to signing the captain of the ABs, but that's about it.
 

Ben Hunt turns 35 in March next year is available for offers for the 2026 season.

Maybe Tookey has a point that we can talk SJ into one more year who is 6 months younger. What about if we offer him a cushy year of ten regular season games max. And find the rest out of CHT/TMM/Metcalf
It will be bad from a building combinations perspective but we always seem to be rotating halves anyway.
Having SJ retired but waiting in the wings could be a secret plan B...
 
Having SJ retired but waiting in the wings could be a secret plan B...
Do a roosters and bring a super star in for the last half of the season and pay bugger all on the books while he earns heaps for ‘commentating’ while training and managing injuries 🤔

Sounds like a cunning plan.

But realistically I think we need to back someone and put all our resources and build combinations around them. Is it time to move on?
 
Neither did the like of NAS, Halligan and Warbrick, Hill - all played at a national / provincial level in rugby union but all were successful in RL.
NAS - wasnt he signed by the Storm at 15? lol
Halligan - go back to the 1800s if you want
Warbrick played every sport there is and played rep AFL before rep rugby
Hill - fucking who?

not a very convincing case mate.
 
NAS - wasnt he signed by the Storm at 15? lol
Halligan - go back to the 1800s if you want
Warbrick played every sport there is and played rep AFL before rep rugby
Hill - fucking who?

not a very convincing case mate.
Maybe before your time, as you’re probably still at school now:
NAS - played Nz Barbarians schoolboys
Halligan - he played for Waikato rugby and went onto to play for Norths and the Bulldogs as well as the Kiwis - great goal kicker
Gavin Hill - played for Wgtn rugby as well as warriors and bulldogs
SJ and Nick Evans played AFL in Nz before playing for their countries
 
Maybe before your time, as you’re probably still at school now:
NAS - played Nz Barbarians schoolboys
Halligan - he played for Waikato rugby and went onto to play for Norths and the Bulldogs as well as the Kiwis - great goal kicker
Gavin Hill - played for Wgtn rugby as well as warriors and bulldogs
SJ and Nick Evans played AFL in Nz before playing for their countries
Was this meant to counter my argument of not signing failed rugby players? :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: 2 blokes from 1885 and NAS back when he was still a virgin??
 
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