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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It feels like between the Dogs, Dragons and Titans they make about 90% of the NRL signings. How are they constantly signing people?!

I've said it before but gee I'd love for us to make a play for Neame. Does a lot of the grunt work that would let the likes of Halasima and Laban go crazy.
I find that if there's a player on the move, just tell yourself immediately, "The Dogs and Dragons* are frontrunners...", then when you read the inevitable headline to that effect, you can breathe a sigh of relief that it's just the Sydney reporters having another little wank, and that only 1 in about 20 of those rumours end up becoming true. (*Add Souths to that when they're not dung.)
 

NZWarriors.com

I think the Australia game showed us the plan for JFH at the Warriors. 60 plus minutes games week in week out. JFH and Barnett are playing deep into the year. Which also pushes back there preseason.

I predict a burnout for both. If Webster doesn’t change his rotations policy.
With AFB no longer here, it may force his hand.

Demetric and Zyon Maiu’u are hopefully more in the picture next year.

It looked like Demetric cemented himself really at the end of the season. An impressive return from ACL from him, imagine what he might produce after a full off season.
 
Looks like there might be a fair bit of movement in the market. Some big moves around Brisbane you would think, also Brandon Smith to get shunted. I don't want either but surely some players become available. It feels like we are one good signing short of making a difference for next year. I feel we have gone backward a bit, without another good signing.
 
I think you will find Dimitric has jumped ahead of Ale and Bunty in the pecking order hence the decision to offload Bunty.

Demitric has more upside and then with Zyon Maiu’u coming through he'll take more time though as he will need to improve his defence.

The interesting part to the puzzle of our forward pack is where does Tohu fit in?
I was surprised not to see more of ZM in 2024, did he fall out of favour after the suspension?
 
Demetric and Zyon Maiu’u are hopefully more in the picture next year.

It looked like Demetric cemented himself really at the end of the season. An impressive return from ACL from him, imagine what he might produce after a full off season.
Demetric Sifakula? Or the guy who ate Demetric Sifakula? Lol

In seriousness, you’d hope/think so. I was really impressed with Demetric.
I don’t believe JFH can do the week in week out workload that AFB did. He’s not really that kind of player. So Webby will (theoretically) have to distribute the workload more.

I have very high hopes for Sifakula and Halasima (and Ali).
TBH, I’m not really sold on Zyon Maiu’u or Laban. Happy to back them though.
 
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Notice that all the players back at the moment seem to be young guys or nsw cup guys? Tuaupiki is one. I wonder if RTS could go back to fullback with Tuaupiki backup? I can’t see CNK being here past 2025
I honestly can't see anything but RTS on the left wing at the moment but you never know with AW. If RTS did play fullback you still need a decent wing, would CNK or TT be a chance there. Seen some predicated lineups with TT on the wing
 
I honestly can't see anything but RTS on the left wing at the moment but you never know with AW. If RTS did play fullback you still need a decent wing, would CNK or TT be a chance there. Seen some predicated lineups with TT on the wing
Yeah the thought of RTS at fullback was only in the discussion had on where would you play a Mulitalo or Savage if they came over. No idea what AW has in mind though
 
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