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	✔	✔	✔
12	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	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
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 24/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Off Contract from 01/11/25: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[Fonzie]

While we we are running a smallish mobile pack I think our fullback selection criteria needs to be (in this order):

1. Defence
2. Yardage
3. Creative / ball play ability

Which is why I’m still picking CNK over Taine.

 

[Noitall]

While we we are running a smallish mobile pack I think our fullback selection criteria needs to be (in this order):

1. Defence
2. Yardage
3. Creative / ball play ability

Which is why I’m still picking CNK over Taine.

So you picking them to extend CNK, or add some size to the forward pack?

 

[roguei]

Don't be surprised to see TMM back in Qld next year.
There is also a shortage of halves and he'd be a good pick up for Parra.

With his current lifestyle it would have to be a huge amount to move him back. Dude goes off pig hunting or fishing every off day with his kid and dogs. I just can't see it personally. Could see him retiring though.

 

[juju]

With his current lifestyle it would have to be a huge amount to move him back. Dude goes off pig hunting or fishing every off day with his kid and dogs. I just can't see it personally. Could see him retiring though.

Good money to be had and a short window.

 

[Noitall]

Good money to be had and a short window.

Still a few experienced halves looking for an extra season or so. DCE wanting 2 seasons, broncos have Reynolds off contract at the end of the season who wants to continue, but they need to consider Ezra Mam. That’s 2 straight out halfbacks with TMM a five eighth that can play halfback. Fogerty is another getting on but won’t be extended by the sounds? Surely Forans’s last season? Storm an interesting proposition too with them extending some that it looked like they might not be able to

 

[juju]

Still a few experienced halves looking for an extra season or so. DCE wanting 2 seasons, broncos have Reynolds off contract at the end of the season who wants to continue, but they need to consider Ezra Mam. That’s 2 straight out halfbacks with TMM a five eighth that can play halfback. Fogerty is another getting on but won’t be extended by the sounds? Surely Forans’s last season? Storm an interesting proposition too with them extending some that it looked like they might not be able to

And the Galvin intrigue to play out too

 

[Fonzie]

So you picking them to extend CNK, or add some size to the forward pack?

According to NRL.com Charnze is already contracted to end 2027, is that right?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

According to NRL.com Charnze is already contracted to end 2027, is that right?

No! He was definitely off contract this year. I don't recall him getting that deal in the off season.

 

[Noitall]

According to NRL.com Charnze is already contracted to end 2027, is that right?

NRL - Signings Tracker

signings-tracker.nrl.com

Not sure how old this is, but has a few wrong. Doesn’t factor in Vaimauga’s extension, has DWZ off contract end of 2025 which he isn’t, but has Harper in the list which he was picked up after Vaimauga’s extension so pretty slack updates. Has CNK off contract end of 2025 which I’m pretty sure is correct

 

[Noitall]

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of New Zealand Warriors player profile including contract information, NRL news, stats and rumours.

www.zerotackle.com

Yet zero tackle has him until 2027 and looks fairly accurate with the rest, so hard to know?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Hypothetical, let's say warriors let CNK go, and ask Tuaupiki to be step up and be the Fullback.

Do we go to the market for a back up or is there anyone who could take Tuaupikis spot as the back up FB?

Just some names for me could be

Will Pryce (Knights) who can play FB and Five eight and off contract. That would also possibly allow the club to let Martin leave also. I'm not keeping martin as this guy though.

Clayton Faulalo is off contract and could see a path here like Tuaupiki did.

Another one I'd be watching closer this weekend is Ethan King. He's started the season pretty strong and looks to be a metre eater.

It's a weird one, because I'm not sure warriors should hold Tuaupiki back.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Hypothetical, let's say warriors let CNK go, and ask Tuaupiki to be step up and be the Fullback.

Do we go to the market for a back up or is there anyone who could take Tuaupikis spot as the back up FB?

Just some names for me could be

Will Pryce (Knights) who can play FB and Five eight and off contract. That would also possibly allow the club to let Martin leave also. I'm not keeping martin as this guy though.

Clayton Faulalo is off contract and could see a path here like Tuaupiki did.

Another one I'd be watching closer this weekend is Ethan King. He's started the season pretty strong and looks to be a metre eater.

It's a weird one, because I'm not sure warriors should hold Tuaupiki back.

Yeah I feel it's the other side of the coin that we don't often talk about.

CNK and TMMs last year contracted to us, with the majority of us thinking they'll likely leave or not be resigned for 2026 onwards.

That's all well and good for players to move on, but in NZ we find it hard to bring players over, but I think it's even harder to recruit good, cheap back up players that are willing to move to NZ as a back up, on minimum money.

Realistically, tell me any first grade ready half or full back who well be prepared to come to NZ, play as back up half of fb for minimum money. I think there's extremely slim pickings.

For me, you either double down on the talent you have (which currently wouldn't be ready to play 5-10 games of NRL games consistently next year) or you sign both TMM and CNK to $300k contracts and have them as back ups.

Well occasionally get lucky and pick up a young guy like Healy whose willing to move country for a good opportunity, but I think outside of those players we really can really on getting really young players, or really old heads finishing up their career. Take your pick!

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yeah I feel it's the other side of the coin that we don't often talk about.

CNK and TMMs last year contracted to us, with the majority of us thinking they'll likely leave or not be resigned for 2026 onwards.

That's all well and good for players to move on, but in NZ we find it hard to bring players over, but I think it's even harder to recruit good, cheap back up players that are willing to move to NZ as a back up, on minimum money.

Realistically, tell me any first grade ready half or full back who well be prepared to come to NZ, play as back up half of fb for minimum money. I think there's extremely slim pickings.

For me, you either double down on the talent you have (which currently wouldn't be ready to play 5-10 games of NRL games consistently next year) or you sign both TMM and CNK to $300k contracts and have them as back ups.

Well occasionally get lucky and pick up a young guy like Healy whose willing to move country for a good opportunity, but I think outside of those players we really can really on getting really young players, or really old heads finishing up their career. Take your pick!

There would be young guys who are willing to come for an oppertunity, you just have to look at the clubs where they are blocked. We have got some great aussies over here since covid and I don't see why we can't keep doing that?

It's harder to get established players to come here in thier youth or prime though.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

There would be young guys who are willing to come for an oppertunity, you just have to look at the clubs where they are blocked. We have got some great aussies over here since covid and I don't see why we can't keep doing that?

It's harder to get established players to come here in thier youth or prime though.

Yeah but that's my point - you go out on a limb and sign a young fulla who COULD go good. Do we then put him in at 2nd drop after Tuaupiki? Seems way too risky imo. What happens if Taine gets concussed the first game and we need someone to play 2-5 games straight off the bat?
I don't like the idea of relying on a young guy with no experience in that situation. It feels like a low percentage play.

So if we're not doing that...what are we gunna do...bring in the older journeyman half like a Jake Cliffor, Sean O Sullivan or Jake Arthurs? Those are the quality of halves we'd be lucky to bring over on 3 or 4 hundred a year for a year or two. Sounds scary aye lol, I don't want us to do that. Imo CNK and TMM offer more, and will cost less if we keep them on our books. It's also good for consistency as they've been at the club for a few years now.

My solution - CNK is on $500k or so now, offer him $300 per year for 2 years and have him play back up FB, Wing and Centre. Same for TMM, $300k for 2 years. Both those players can fill many backline positions and are experienced enough to be able to play 10+ games if things get dire.

We saw how things went this year when we signed Harper after an injury crisis....we can't get anyone decent on the cheap, willing to come over and play as back up for a year or two.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yeah but that's my point - you go out on a limb and sign a young fulla who COULD go good. Do we then put him in at 2nd drop after Tuaupiki? Seems way too risky imo. What happens if Taine gets concussed the first game and we need someone to play 2-5 games straight off the bat?
I don't like the idea of relying on a young guy with no experience in that situation. It feels like a low percentage play.

So if we're not doing that...what are we gunna do...bring in the older journeyman half like a Jake Cliffor, Sean O Sullivan or Jake Arthurs? Those are the quality of halves we'd be lucky to bring over on 3 or 4 hundred a year for a year or two. Sounds scary aye lol, I don't want us to do that. Imo CNK and TMM offer more, and will cost less if we keep them on our books. It's also good for consistency as they've been at the club for a few years now.

My solution - CNK is on $500k or so now, offer him $300 per year for 2 years and have him play back up FB, Wing and Centre. Same for TMM, $300k for 2 years. Both those players can fill many backline positions and are experienced enough to be able to play 10+ games if things get dire.

We saw how things went this year when we signed Harper after an injury crisis....we can't get anyone decent on the cheap, willing to come over and play as back up for a year or two.

If you get the right guy like pryce or Faulalo they look ready to play nrl, and are not close to playing at thier club either.

Doesn't necessarily need to be cheap as chips.

Also does CNK want to play back up when he came start somwhere else? Then we are in the same predicament.

I think with CHT, Metcalf and Boyd, we can afford to have Hanson play deputy.

Will Pryce can cover FB and Six. And can push Tuaupiki all the way, if he turns out better than tuapiki then so be it.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yeah but that's my point - you go out on a limb and sign a young fulla who COULD go good. Do we then put him in at 2nd drop after Tuaupiki? Seems way too risky imo. What happens if Taine gets concussed the first game and we need someone to play 2-5 games straight off the bat?
I don't like the idea of relying on a young guy with no experience in that situation. It feels like a low percentage play.

So if we're not doing that...what are we gunna do...bring in the older journeyman half like a Jake Cliffor, Sean O Sullivan or Jake Arthurs? Those are the quality of halves we'd be lucky to bring over on 3 or 4 hundred a year for a year or two. Sounds scary aye lol, I don't want us to do that. Imo CNK and TMM offer more, and will cost less if we keep them on our books. It's also good for consistency as they've been at the club for a few years now.

My solution - CNK is on $500k or so now, offer him $300 per year for 2 years and have him play back up FB, Wing and Centre. Same for TMM, $300k for 2 years. Both those players can fill many backline positions and are experienced enough to be able to play 10+ games if things get dire.

We saw how things went this year when we signed Harper after an injury crisis....we can't get anyone decent on the cheap, willing to come over and play as back up for a year or two.

Don't get me wrong, if CNK want to play cup and stay on the cheap then yeah of course you keep them.

I truly believe Tuaupiki has served his apprenticeship.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

If you get the right guy like pryce or Faulalo they look ready to play nrl, and are not close to playing at thier club either.

Doesn't necessarily need to be cheap as chips.

Also does CNK want to play back up when he came start somwhere else? Then we are in the same predicament.

I think with CHT, Metcalf and Boyd, we can afford to have Hanson play deputy.

Will Pryce can cover FB and Six. And can push Tuaupiki all the way, if he turns out better than tuapiki then so be it.

Have you seen Will Pryce play in NSW Cup?

He came with a lot of fanfare, but in the few games I have tuned into he has been very poor indeed. He doesn't look close to a FG player to me, though I haven't watched him in 2025.

 

[Ref]

I would keep TMM over CNK for 2026 if he’s keen to stay and we can afford him.

Obviously Metcalf is going to be persisted with as the first choice 7 unless things go horribly wrong.
He had several try involvements last Friday yet still has lots of work ons so the outlook is positive.
With more games under his belt I would hope that he can gel with TMM at 6 should TMM get a shot there.
TMM also covers 1 and 7 really well.

So you keep TMM to be 2026 back up full back and a possible halves starter.

 

[Ref]

Have you seen Will Pryce play in NSW Cup?

He came with a lot of fanfare, but in the few games I have tuned into he has been very poor indeed. He doesn't look close to a FG player to me, though I haven't watched him in 2025.

Sharpe and Cogger are preferred now and last year he couldn’t get much a shot even with their musical chairs of Cogger, Hastings and Gamble.
It’s a solid NO from me.

If we are going to buy anyone they have to be better than TMM if he wants to stay.
History almost guarantees he will get his share of first grade this year.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Have you seen Will Pryce play in NSW Cup?

He came with a lot of fanfare, but in the few games I have tuned into he has been very poor indeed. He doesn't look close to a FG player to me, though I haven't watched him in 2025.

He's playing well this year so far, small sample size though.