Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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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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Their own fans are thanking us for taking him.
Not all halves develop at the same pace. Took SJ ages to become a more controlling half. Most fans want our halves to become an instant Nathan Cleary. You also look at the Titan forwards and not many of them do the 1 percentage work. There is a reason why Slater had someone like Capewell instead of Fifita in Origin. Hard to shine when you don't get protection.

Hoping for another trigger from our Titan poster :ROFLMAO:
 
Kind of one of those signings that isn't overly exciting but needed. He is probably as good as we could have done considering who is on the market currently in the halves. Provides much needed depth and competition for spots. Can play 6 or 7. Is only 24 and come through the Aussie system. All in all, you would have to say a solid signing?
 
The only reason I don’t like signings like Tanah Boyd. Will he stay long term? If he’s really flying by 2026, does he stay?
Or is he coming here, getting his career back on track. Away from all the noise then leave. Same as Cleary.

What does this mean for TMM and Metcalfe?

I wanted to lowball TMM, but now. IDK

Warriors should always have at least one Kiwi half. So it lowers the chance of a key player getting “homesick”.
 
Love it. When you look at the out and out 7s available, and would realistically come to NZ, he’s right up there. We needed a half with SJ leaving, we needed a goal kicker, we needed an organising half & we’ve got one. He’s not a world beater but neither was Maloney when he came over. Nathan Fien wasn’t a star.

Whilst we’d love a superstar 7, so does every other club & we just can’t compete, being over the ditch. This is a calculated gamble on a player with nrl experience, will hardly break the bank & carrys little to no downside, as there’s no one in the pipeline that he’s blocking.

We needed to temper our expectations, there’s very few quality 7s even available on the market. I think our recruitment have nailed this one.
 
I’ll back him. It is only a 2 year deal, we needed a “controlling” half and one with a kicking game. Ticks a number of boxes while we develop the up and comers.

If my memory serves me right, I remember watching him play for the Junior Kangaroos a number of years ago and was really impressed then. Had a good game from memory and thought he would go places. Hopefully Webby can work some magic.
 
He looks like he could be Webby's son.

Whatever. We've done OK in the past with players who "nobody else wanted" or their fans thanked us for taking.

We need 4 halves, we now have 4 halves. Let the pecking order sort itself out.

Thought the same fucking thing haha, honestly a couple shades of red in his hair and we would have a conspiracy on our hands. Agree on the other two points too lol

We didn't need a world beater, nor were we getting one at this point, just a warm body so we don't have to put Charnze or Walker in the halves and fuck up our backline continuity/forward rotation if something happens
 
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