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	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
	Morgan Harper	✔
12	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
20	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
21	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
22	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
23	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
24	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
25	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
26	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Dylan Walker

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[Tookey 2.0]

I'm sold!

It sucks though, I like Ale but I don't think he's going to get extended or used enough this year to justify keeping him on. I hope I'm wrong in that respect.

But again, it gives our three best youngsters - Ali, Halasima and Vaumunga time in the top 17, which they should be cemented in from 2026 imo.

Then younger players can get a bit more of a taste through injury and from etc, with Capewah and RTS retiring at the end of 2026 and Ford probably not signed passed 2027.

Everyone's a winner!

Edit: Barney and DWZ probably won't be there past 2027 either

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Demetric was extended for 4 years in the top 30. I suspect he has been in their plans for some time.

Nah Demitric is getting his shot because of hard work. He didn’t get extended until 2028 because Tohu retired

Demetric was better than busted Tohu was, and still struggled to get game time.

He signed for 4, was in their plans, worked hard and still wasnt a regular feature.

 

[Noitall]

Demetric was better than busted Tohu was, and still struggled to get game time.

He signed for 4, was in their plans, worked hard and still wasnt a regular feature.

Came back from an injury too, so probably wasn’t over exerted

 

[CWC]

It's a slow day in the office so let's spitball.

We haven't used SJ or Tohu's money yet, which is about 1 mill.

Dyl Walker and Ale leave at the end of the year, which frees up about 900k.

We move Marata on at the end of the year too, paying someone 300k to take him so that frees up 500k for us.

We buy Stonestreet for 400k (crazy money for such a young guy, but that's average money for a winger so is reasonable).
We get Nas for 3 years at 800k
We get Dyl Brown for 1.1mil

2026 team:
CNK/Taine
Stonestreet
Ali
Berry/RTS
DWZ
Brown
Metcalf
Barny
Egan
JFH
Capewell
Halasima
Clark

Healy
Vaumunga
Nas
Ford/Laban

Then at the end of 2026 Capewell and RTS retire so we have 1.1mil and the 300k from Niukore's contract finishing, to upgrade players etc.

The Wahs first premiership. Easy!

They'll probably move TMM on too, and upgrade Kosi to his first million dollar contract!

Talk about a redemption arc!

 

[Boston Boy]

Demetric was better than busted Tohu was, and still struggled to get game time.

He signed for 4, was in their plans, worked hard and still wasnt a regular feature.

Demetric has got huge upside. He has got power, great footwork and very strong defensively. Probably our most likely to have a break out season for us this year, then you would think Ali L and Leka H.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Demetric has got huge upside. He has got power, great footwork and very strong defensively. Probably our most likely to have a break out season for us this year, then you would think Ali L and Lena H.

Hey I dont disagree, we were calling for him to start last year.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Demetric has got huge upside. He has got power, great footwork and very strong defensively. Probably our most likely to have a break out season for us this year, then you would think Ali L and Lena H.

I think Ali Leiataua is in as good as place than Vaimauga. This is Leiataua's time to shine and never look back.

I've been so high on this guy, and have said we could have one of the best centres in the NRL, huge call i know.

For me it's a question of Metcalf and CNK using Leiataua and giving this kid space to run like newcastle do with Best.

 

[Noitall]

Looks like Joseph Manu’s journey to union has turned to shit and he’s going back to nrl through the season apparently. Would be a good one to cut roosters lunch

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Looks like Joseph Manu’s journey to union has turned to shit and he’s going back to nrl through the season apparently. Would be a good one to cut roosters lunch

Could you elaborate more re - Turning to shit? Hell yeah I'd love him here. Ali, Manu, Berry, DWZ , Roger, Tuaupiki, CNK things start looking a bit brighter for us in the backs...

 

[tajhay]

Could you elaborate more re - Turning to shit? Hell yeah I'd love him here. Ali, Manu, Berry, DWZ , Roger, Tuaupiki, CNK things start looking a bit brighter for us in the backs...

referring to this:

Manu poised for shock NRL return amid rugby 'nightmare'

As overseas 'troubles' revealed

www.nine.com.au

@Noitall please try to copy and paste the url of the article when posting an opinion to reference it.

 

[Boston Boy]

I think Ali Leiataua is in as good as place than Vaimauga. This is Leiataua's time to shine and never look back.

I've been so high on this guy, and have said we could have one of the best centres in the NRL, huge call i know.

For me it's a question of Metcalf and CNK using Leiataua and giving this kid space to run like newcastle do with Best.

He sure looks a handful in contact. Looks very powerful and awkward to tackle, kind of got a wide running gate and looks all knees and elbows. Imagine if he got a bit more powerful, I agree he has huge potential too.

 

[Brightman]

Demetric is only getting a shot cos Tohu retired and Ali is only getting a shot cos Berry is injured.

Don't tell me you think Marata will outplay Demetric or Adam can keep Ali in NSW Cup..

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Don't tell me you think Marata will outplay Demetric or Adam can keep Ali in NSW Cup..

lol whut? You have mistaken, I back the young fellas all day. Its Webby thats been hesitant.

 

[Brightman]

lol whut? You have mistaken, I back the young fellas all day. Its Webby thats been hesitant.

Nah. I believe Demetric was 18 when he debuted against the Panthers no less in 2023, plus he had a fair run of games last season after returning from a serious knee injury right. He's been developed well..

Ditto Ali..

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Demetric was better than busted Tohu was, and still struggled to get game time.

He signed for 4, was in their plans, worked hard and still wasnt a regular feature.

You do remember that he had ACL issues that side lined him for a lot of 2024. When he did come back he played well but anyone could see his fitness wasn't quite there. I understand you are trying to make a point on Webster which is merited in regards to some players but likely not Demetric.

 

[Blain]

Looks like Joseph Manu’s journey to union has turned to shit and he’s going back to nrl through the season apparently. Would be a good one to cut roosters lunch

This was always set up as a cap move IMO. There has always been talk he would be back this season, even when he first signed.

NAS - No thanks. He was shocking last season, really fell away. Storm will easily let him go if he asks. If he comes back good this season, then maybe.. But I've always thought he's benefited being out of the lime light down in Melbourne under a strict coach, I think he could easily fall away like Cheese if he moves.

 

[Noitall]

This was always set up as a cap move IMO. There has always been talk he would be back this season, even when he first signed.

NAS - No thanks. He was shocking last season, really fell away. Storm will easily let him go if he asks. If he comes back good this season, then maybe.. But I've always thought he's benefited being out of the lime light down in Melbourne under a strict coach, I think he could easily fall away like Cheese if he moves.

Recruitment is a real puzzler at the moment, three guys that look like they will be starting the season in TMM, CNK and Pompey still not extended beyond the end of the year. Certainly feel like Tuaupiki has been groomed for the fullback role, but hard to know what’s the plan around five eighth and centre? Talk of an outside back of interest surely means a centre when you consider DWZ and RTS likely have ownership of both wings and Tuaupiki fullback?

 

[cock_o]

Recruitment is a real puzzler at the moment, three guys that look like they will be starting the season in TMM, CNK and Pompey still not extended beyond the end of the year. Certainly feel like Tuaupiki has been groomed for the fullback role, but hard to know what’s the plan around five eighth and centre? Talk of an outside back of interest surely means a centre when you consider DWZ and RTS likely have ownership of both wings and Tuaupiki fullback?

Often they will be looking at making a decision on same players at a certain date. For example TMM, CNK and Pompey they might have made a deal that after 10 rounds they will talk contracts.. not only the club has big decisions but also the player.

 

[WA Warrior]

Recruitment is a real puzzler at the moment, three guys that look like they will be starting the season in TMM, CNK and Pompey still not extended beyond the end of the year. Certainly feel like Tuaupiki has been groomed for the fullback role, but hard to know what’s the plan around five eighth and centre? Talk of an outside back of interest surely means a centre when you consider DWZ and RTS likely have ownership of both wings and Tuaupiki fullback?

I’m glad they have not rushed into resigning those 3.
I agree Tuaupiki does look like taking the 1 jumper next year.
We have a lot of halves this year so take our time regards to TMM.
If Berry is back then Pompey is surplus unless he’s back up.
CNK maybe shifts to centre if Berry is no good who knows.
No rush on all 3 imo.

 

[Noitall]

I’m glad they have not rushed into resigning those 3.
I agree Tuaupiki does look like taking the 1 jumper next year.
We have a lot of halves this year so take our time regards to TMM.
If Berry is back then Pompey is surplus unless he’s back up.
CNK maybe shifts to centre if Berry is no good who knows.
No rush on all 3 imo.

You reckon the outside back that they’re looking for is a depth one?