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 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: 28/30
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

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[MrFrankWhite]

Shows how desperate Manly are and that DCE knows it. Imagine getting forced into a 2 year contract for a 36yr old. Poor planning surely.

 

[Makasene]

Sure, that’s why you have to give him a quick payday before PNG. Signing him for anymore than 2 years would bad imho. Honeymoon year and then he’s in his exit year. No time to get bored.

Short term on good coin is definitely something I would be comfortable with

Probably the only way

 

[Makasene]

Shows how desperate Manly are and that DCE knows it. Imagine getting forced into a 2 year contract for a 36yr old. Poor planning surely.

They let Humphries walk in the off-season too.

 

[roguei]

If any of this is true. It'd be interesting if webby sees him as a culture fit. He is an amazing player and stacked with talent, he just doesn't seem to have a huge work ethic. I.E i think it's pretty core to the team the effort on effort style over talent/x-factor. But that just might be my opinion on how the club presents itself, where as others mgiht see the inverse.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I have heard that Cobbo has some mental health issues, pretty sure this is why he pulled out of origin last year.
I'm not sure moving to a different country with a completely different culture away from his support networks would be the best move for him, or us.

Bullshit. That was Danny Wildler talking out of his ass last year. Spreading some pretty scummy rumours And i am sure he he was dropped by Slater. He didn't pull out.

 

[Five&Last]

Shows how desperate Manly are and that DCE knows it. Imagine getting forced into a 2 year contract for a 36yr old. Poor planning surely.

I don't think they're that desperate. They just know they are in a premiership window this year and next

DCE just loves to drag it out in the media to give himself leverage.

They have Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large coming through so are just trying to bridge the gap (which is the difference between a one year and two year deal).

If it means they have to play one of them a year earlier than they intended, then they'll probably just do that.

 

[Five&Last]

Harlyn Saunoa the winger for the Blues under-20 played with Bowden at Botany College might be a nice pick up if he doesn’t break through at the Blues.

Too late I think. With the way he's broken through the last 12 months, All Blacks will have him in the pipeline. Massive talent.

 

[cock_o]

If Cobbo flew to Auckland to tour the Warriors facilities wouldn't it be all over the media? Like the Hazelton trip

 

[Makasene]

If Cobbo flew to Auckland to tour the Warriors facilities wouldn't it be all over the media? Like the Hazelton trip

Don't need the media.

When a cousins, uncles, mates, wifes, brothers nephew saw him at the airport you know he already signed.

 

[Boston Boy]

Don't need the media.

When a cousins, uncles, mates, wifes, brothers nephew saw him at the airport you know he already signed.

One of the positives about Webby, Stacey and the team is that they have decent relationships with a couple of coaches. I would say if a team like the Broncos or Panthers decided they were going to have to let someone go they may give a heads up to our staff? Or am I being naive? I definitely think Ivan has a soft spot for the Warriors and Madge has connections with some of our staff through the Kiwis and we are not seen as a huge threat to their teams success. Relationships are vital in success and Webby's persona can be beneficial.

 

[Makasene]

One of the positives about Webby, Stacey and the team is that they have decent relationships with a couple of coaches. I would say if a team like the Broncos or Panthers decided they were going to have to let someone go they may give a heads up to our staff? Or am I being naive? I definitely think Ivan has a soft spot for the Warriors and Madge has connections with some of our staff through the Kiwis and we are not seen as a huge threat to their teams success. Relationships are vital in success and Webby's persona can be beneficial.

It's a nice thought but anything other than a scumbag manager selling his client to the highest bidder is unlikely to be happening.

In Ivan's case with his son it's a bit different I guess. But, anyone else is getting hawked to all and sundry.

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

DCE for 2 seasons straight into Nathan Cleary off contract and sign him for 10 years. Great idea warriors go Webby

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

DCE for 2 seasons straight into Nathan Cleary off contract and sign him for 10 years. Great idea warriors go Webby

Would be fitting he wins his last premiership with the warriors

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Can we get an early release for Cobbo?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Can we get an early release for Cobbo?

He would have to be coming in the first place!

 

[MrFrankWhite]

He would have to be coming in the first place!

Formalities

 

[Playdaball]

Remember a few years ago when Cobbo did that podcast stating than Walters was an average coach??
Guess where the poddy was recorded …
West Akld !!
He has mates here that he was visiting , perhaps the same again, just no podcast??
Glenora are on the lock out for players this year.

 

[hornbybrown]

All I know as far as retention goes is, I want Ali and Leka to be still playing here in ten years time.

Ali is the most naturally talented centre we have ever had and Leka is up there with Ali’s uncle as our most talented edge forward. Develop them and keep them!!

 

[kos]

All I know as far as retention goes is, I want Ali and Leka to be still playing here in ten years time. Ali is the most naturally talented centre we have ever had and Leka is up there with Ali’s uncle as our most talented edge forward. Develop them and keep them!!

All I know as far as retention goes is, I want Ali and Leka to be still playing here in ten years time.

Ali is the most naturally talented centre we have ever had and Leka is up there with Ali’s uncle as our most talented edge forward. Develop them and keep them!!

Big call on Ali
Did you see Toopi play?

 

[hornbybrown]

Big call on Ali
Did you see Toopi play?

I’m 45 years old, I saw Dean Bell play.