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.

🏷️ 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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Plenty have commented on the atmosphere at the ground. Would love to see more of this at Go Media.
Would love to see a double header a few weeks in a row with a carnival type atmosphere. Would be awesome to see a tournament with maybe Kiwis, England, Samoa, Tonga. Imagine a double header with those teams.
Ideal time would be when origin is on but they wouldn’t want to do that with the amount of Pacific players in origin teams and I think the viewership would be far higher than origin too
 

NZWarriors.com

Ideal time would be when origin is on but they wouldn’t want to do that with the amount of Pacific players in origin teams and I think the viewership would be far higher than origin too
I'm honestly over Australia test matches. We shouldn't be waiting for them to lift the international game either. The NZRL should get off their asses and get organized.

3 weeks of double headers. One in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington each. Rotate the opposition between the four teams so one week you have kiwis v england and Tonga v Samoa. Next week would be england v Tonga, kiwis v Samoa etc... get some decent sponsorship and tv deal.

All three played in October would be ideal. To difficult logistically, mainly for england to be played during origin
 
I'm honestly over Australia test matches. We shouldn't be waiting for them to lift the international game either. The NZRL should get off their asses and get organized.

3 weeks of double headers. One in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington each. Rotate the opposition between the four teams so one week you have kiwis v england and Tonga v Samoa. Next week would be england v Tonga, kiwis v Samoa etc... get some decent sponsorship and tv deal.

All three played in October would be ideal. To difficult logistically, mainly for england to be played during origin
Does nrl pay for things regarding internationals or is it independent?
 
Does nrl pay for things regarding internationals or is it independent?
Probably should have this all moved to another thread. In regards to NRL paying, I don't know. I wouldn't have thought they would be paying for Samoa v England currently would they?
 
We are so going to miss Fonua-Blake. He was super fired up Saturday night for the special event but even in day to day matches he brings something special. And he showed that against Fisher-Harris at the weekend. He's just in a different league.
It's going to be interesting to see how JFH goes away from the Penrith system
I think we'll actually go better with JFH - my reasoning is that we aren't actually lacking for physical firepower - what Fish brings is not only that fearsome leadership style and great defense and the ability to be a mentor he is also almost the exact opposite of our previous laid-back, friendly bright leaders - I'm thinking of Tohu and SJ, and am including Webby too (though he's quite intense in his own way) ... this will be a great contrast to the Warriors as the nice guys, almost to the point of being self-sacrificing - while AFB is physically and skills wise intimidating he was almost always that casual guy after the try for us, and not the I will hurt you guy beforehand he is for Tonga (because of shared whakapapa and brotherhood i'm guessing) - he wasn't a leader in that respect, whereas JFH will be
 
Every game in the big league reveals Stacey isnt much of a coach. I hope that changes fast
Have to agree.

Fuck, Stephen Kearney must have the best job interview spiel known to human kind, how he keeps getting high profile coaching gigs is beyond me, I was deadset shocked to see Kearney (pretty sure it was him, I had had a few beers) and Jones in the coaching box as the Kiwi brains trust.
Did we really turn down Wayne Bennett!!
 
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while AFB is physically and skills wise intimidating he was almost always that casual guy after the try for us, and not the I will hurt you guy beforehand he is for Tonga (because of shared whakapapa and brotherhood i'm guessing) - he wasn't a leader in that respect, whereas JFH will be
100%. When AFB wants to be the best, he is the best. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to want it unless it's on his terms, which is a dangerous attitude to have around our young guns.

JFH will be at his best every practice and every game. He has a winners mentality.
 
Have to agree.

Fuck, Stephen Kearney must have the best job interview spiel known to human kind, how he keeps getting high profile coaching gigs is beyond me, I was deadset shocked to see Kearney (pretty sure it was him, I had a few beers) and Jones in the coaching box as the Kiwi brains trust.
Did we really turn down Wayne Bennett!!
Stacey is too nice to make a good coach.
A decent coach needs to have a bit of cunt in his makeup
 
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