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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

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: 27/30
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
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

---

This thread is solely for Warriors recruitment and retention discussion. Any posts not related to the above will be deleted.

Repeat offenders will have their access to this page limited.

Please be mindful of what you are posting in this thread before clicking the reply button. Zero Tolerance for off-topic chat.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

You know…. Webby signed RTS to play like Manu at center. It would make a lot of sense to get the real Manu after his failed RTS experiment.

You mean, play the Dally M fullback at fullback?

What a dumb idea.

 

[Stalefish540]

Manu grew up in Tokoroa so Auckland might be ok.
Not Bondi for sure though.

I saw him speaking about his early life on a podcast thing with Isaac John.

They both give off the sort of Sydney vibe from other videos i've seen. Not saying that's a bad thing, just would be surprised to see either in NZ.

 

[Boston Boy]

I saw him speaking about his early life on a podcast thing with Isaac John.

They both give off the sort of Sydney vibe from other videos i've seen. Not saying that's a bad thing, just would be surprised to see either in NZ.

I think he's the type of guy to sign for the Warriors and play proud for us. It's just the relationship with Nick Politis and some of the Roosters. That will be the challenge. He hasn't been killing it in rugby, I think he will come right though.

 

[Wah's Up]

The Sydney Roosters have lost recruitment guru Clint Zammit to a mid-season move to the Cowboys. A key link between Ponga and the Roosters was Zammit, who previously worked with the fullback at both the Knights and Cowboys.

Huge development in Kalyn Ponga pursuit as key figure quits Roosters immediately

Kalyn Ponga has been continually linked to the Roosters. Read more here.

au.news.yahoo.com

OMG Ponga was originally a Cowboy, hope he does not follow his mentor

 

[Billyspleen75]

Anthony Gelling said the signing he believes is coming, is someone other than Joey Manu.
But thinks we should go after Manu as well.

 

[KPWarrior]

OMG Ponga was originally a Cowboy, hope he does not follow his mentor

I reckon he'd have a couple more influential mentors over here.

Be up there with the best ever signings if we managed to pull that off.

 

[defensivebomb]

This thread is just one big tease

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Anthony Gelling said the signing he believes is coming, is someone other than Joey Manu.
But thinks we should go after Manu as well.

It’s the English guy. 99% sure

 

[WA Warrior]

It’s the English guy. 99% sure

The back rower with the head knock issues?

 

[Bluecat]

Day 39 of waiting for CG's 'big signing'.

View attachment 12481

Can't see that phone. Did it ring itself off the table?

 

[kos]

Can't see that phone. Did it ring itself off the table?

Hmm
Roosters coach Robinson just on Bris Ch 9 news
Doesn’t know much about Manu
And said
It won’t be us
Hmmm

 

[Leon Black]

Manu making moves in fullback

Joseph Manu shifts into fullback in the Roosters clash against the Knights

www.nrl.com

Manu at fullback just last year. Even though another code, handy he’s been playing fullback over seas if it happened

Manu and Ponga both seem like the Sydney type of Kiwi.

Couldn't imagine either of them wanting to live in Auckland.

Newcastle is not Sydney…

 

[Defence]

Hmm
Roosters coach Robinson just on Bris Ch 9 news
Doesn’t know much about Manu
And said
It won’t be us
Hmmm

The plot thickens…..
So chiefs or warriors?
U rugby folk out there- is he a realistic chance of making the AB World Cup squad? Nz rugby stocks don’t seem to be what they used to be but maybe I’m just out of the loop.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

The plot thickens…..
So chiefs or warriors?
U rugby folk out there- is he a realistic chance of making the AB World Cup squad? Nz rugby stocks don’t seem to be what they used to be but maybe I’m just out of the loop.

Japanese rugby season ends at the start of next month.
Super rugby season ends at the end of next month.

To me it doesn't make a lot of sense for him to join a SR team for only a couple of games. I doubt he would be put straight into AB's consideration for this year anyway. Maybe a short term deal with us to secure a bit more money, and then a longer term deal in SR from next season?

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

The plot thickens…..
So chiefs or warriors?
U rugby folk out there- is he a realistic chance of making the AB World Cup squad? Nz rugby stocks don’t seem to be what they used to be but maybe I’m just out of the loop.

He reminds me of RTS and we know how he ended up.

He would probably make it to the World Cup but as a bit player/ reserve?

I think backs require a completely different skill set in union to be successful. I note he started as a centre in union and has been moved to wing.

 

[Leon Black]

Some posters clearly haven’t watched Joey Manu closely enough. When James Tedesco — arguably the biggest ball hog the NRL has seen — was out, Manu stepped up with exceptional skill and leadership.

He deserves to be a focal point at any club. I’d slot him in at No. 1, 3, 4, or 6 without hesitation. An incredible athlete with size, skill, and versatility. Just imagine him linking up and learning from RTS, and having the same influence on Rocco and Ali that JFH and Barney will instilled in our young forwards.

We need to think outside the box and consider the legacy these players will leave on our young stars long-term. KP is all about KP — a bit like DCE, SJ, and Walsh. For me, Manu is the standout among all the rumored signings. No question.

I still have this weird Nathan Cleary vibe.

 

[kos]

Some posters clearly haven’t watched Joey Manu closely enough. When James Tedesco — arguably the biggest ball hog the NRL has seen — was out, Manu stepped up with exceptional skill and leadership.

He deserves to be a focal point at any club. I’d slot him in at No. 1, 3, 4, or 6 without hesitation. An incredible athlete with size, skill, and versatility. Just imagine him linking up and learning from RTS, and having the same influence on Rocco and Ali that JFH and Barney will instilled in our young forwards.

We need to think outside the box and consider the legacy these players will leave on our young stars long-term. KP is all about KP — a bit like DCE, SJ, and Walsh. For me, Manu is the standout among all the rumored signings. No question.

I still have this weird Nathan Cleary vibe.

Cnk goes
Manu slots into FB

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Some posters clearly haven’t watched Joey Manu closely enough. When James Tedesco — arguably the biggest ball hog the NRL has seen — was out, Manu stepped up with exceptional skill and leadership.

He deserves to be a focal point at any club. I’d slot him in at No. 1, 3, 4, or 6 without hesitation. An incredible athlete with size, skill, and versatility. Just imagine him linking up and learning from RTS, and having the same influence on Rocco and Ali that JFH and Barney will instilled in our young forwards.

We need to think outside the box and consider the legacy these players will leave on our young stars long-term. KP is all about KP — a bit like DCE, SJ, and Walsh. For me, Manu is the standout among all the rumored signings. No question.

I still have this weird Nathan Cleary vibe.

Teddy can certainly hog a ball, but geez I’d struggle to think of a fullback that held onto the ball more than Manu when he played that position.

 

[Lance155]

We have definitely reached a point of whoever it is it better be major. Even a decent signing like Eli Katoa would get ripped apart now. I pulled his name out of nowhere, don't run with it!

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Was just listening to a Gus interview and he mentioned if Manu came back to the NRL his salary wouldn't fall under the cap. I thought the NRL put that rule to bed?