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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	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: 25/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, 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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[Ever Hopeful]

Bloke in a bar made a really interesting and valid point. Clubs need to start signing their younger players on deals to avoid them getting poached by the bears, and there’s less requirement to re-sign 30+ year olds until the last minute. They won’t as be actively looking for older players, maybe some, but the priority will be talented up and comers. This instantly puts Leka, Laban, TSS, fatialofa in the front window.

With the cup doing so well, and our Harold Matt’s going back to back, we’re going to lose some. Just have to pick the right type of players to prioritise.

Guru also mentioned that Barnett should be their marquee signing.

Interesting. I'd be expecting a Dad's Army like the Dolphins were for the most part. I think they'll need a lot of experience to ease themselves into the comp and prevent the blowouts in their first year.

Barnett would be a good target, touch wood he is happy here, which he seems to be.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

the dolphins came in at the end of the Covid warriors era when the roster was going through huge turnover and we were compassionate releasing on a weekly basis. We barely had anyone to target

This bears thing, all of our aussies will be targets, if your willing to move to Auckland, your willing to move to Perth. And they won’t have any local juniors until the 2030s so let’s just hope they hire a coach who’s super into western Sydney youths and just goes after them

 

[CWC]

Bloke in a bar made a really interesting and valid point. Clubs need to start signing their younger players on deals to avoid them getting poached by the bears, and there’s less requirement to re-sign 30+ year olds until the last minute. They won’t as be actively looking for older players, maybe some, but the priority will be talented up and comers. This instantly puts Leka, Laban, TSS, fatialofa in the front window.

With the cup doing so well, and our Harold Matt’s going back to back, we’re going to lose some. Just have to pick the right type of players to prioritise.

Guru also mentioned that Barnett should be their marquee signing.

If the scouts and recruitment team knows their stuff we should be able to lock down the future super stars and let other teams pick the scraps. Seems to be doing the opposite in the past. It’s really the whole point of development teams - filter the crops until you pick the best ones for yourself, Webby and Fish’s influences probably will help

 

[chrisnz]

perdue is a massive hunter and fisher is poachable and been killing it at cowboys would be an ideal target to try snare get tmm to take him for a dive and hunt see if he can resist nz after they return

 

[Next Year]

If the scouts and recruitment team knows their stuff we should be able to lock down the future super stars and let other teams pick the scraps. Seems to be doing the opposite in the past. It’s really the whole point of development teams - filter the crops until you pick the best ones for yourself, Webby and Fish’s influences probably will help

Capewell would be an ideal prospect for a new team setting out...

 

[gambler03]

Anyone else see that interview of Taylan May? Shit with him in a new frame of mind would he be worth a look at, even though Tigers is his most likely destination?

 

[WA Warrior]

Anyone else see that interview of Taylan May? Shit with him in a new frame of mind would he be worth a look at, even though Tigers is his most likely destination?

He’s a gun player imo but I don’t think he would do well away from his family.
I think he would only go to a Sydney club.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Anyone else see that interview of Taylan May? Shit with him in a new frame of mind would he be worth a look at, even though Tigers is his most likely destination?

Regardless how talented, he’s toxic. No thank you. Not the type of player we are wanting.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Would anyone here be keen on Jonathan Sua from the doggies? Looks like he has a nose for the try line, behind Montoya, Kiraz, and Wilson probably.

 

[Noitall]

Would anyone here be keen on Jonathan Sua from the doggies? Looks like he has a nose for the try line, behind Montoya, Kiraz, and Wilson probably.

Didn’t know of him until your mention, consistent try scorer this guy. Did see somewhere yesterday a rumour about bulldogs moving a winger on to be able to acquire Finau Latu early from the dragons may be on the cards

 

[SouthernWorrier]

Bloke in a bar made a really interesting and valid point. Clubs need to start signing their younger players on deals to avoid them getting poached by the bears, and there’s less requirement to re-sign 30+ year olds until the last minute. They won’t as be actively looking for older players, maybe some, but the priority will be talented up and comers. This instantly puts Leka, Laban, TSS, fatialofa in the front window.

Couldn't agree more. I like Melbournes approach with Pezet: Signed him on a long term deal BUT he has an exit clause if Hughes re-signs. There would be plenty of variations on this you could apply but it's a solid way forward to get a long term contract/commitment for talented up and comers is give them the confidence they won't be stranded behind established star signings/resignings.

That said, keeping the production line of up and comers that you have your choice of, like Penrith, will remain the best bet in the long run as you can never be sure who is going to kick on and who is going to plateau.

 

[Noitall]

Couldn't agree more. I like Melbournes approach with Pezet: Signed him on a long term deal BUT he has an exit clause if Hughes re-signs. There would be plenty of variations on this you could apply but it's a solid way forward to get a long term contract/commitment for talented up and comers is give them the confidence they won't be stranded behind established star signings/resignings.

That said, keeping the production line of up and comers that you have your choice of, like Penrith, will remain the best bet in the long run as you can never be sure who is going to kick on and who is going to plateau.

Sounds like Hughes will be extending for 2-3 years. Will be interesting to see the outcome regarding Pezet. Also if Papenhuyzen is extended, Fa’alogo has an option to leave also

 

[Sammyw]

He, Morgan Gannon, according to RLP has played 4 first grade games at stand off.
He most certainly will be an option for in game half coverage if required.
He hasn't played much Lock. 1 game at lock. 26 at second row. 4 at 5 8th.

in game injury coverage sure, but i would bet my house he will almost never start at 6. people need to objectively remember that we are signing a kid from leeds who plays mostly off the bench in the backrow, we arent signing a yeo + tohu harris love child.

 

[chrisnz]

in game injury coverage sure, but i would bet my house he will almost never start at 6. people need to objectively remember that we are signing a kid from leeds who plays mostly off the bench in the backrow, we arent signing a yeo + tohu harris love child.

Tbh while this is true his injurys have held him back not talent or merit had massive wraps and is a genuine gun player I wouldn't be surprised if he sets the nrl on fire at all

 

[Sammyw]

Tbh while this is true his injurys have held him back not talent or merit had massive wraps and is a genuine gun player I wouldn't be surprised if he sets the nrl on fire at all

yeah not ruling this out either, just wont be at 6 lol

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Tbh while this is true his injurys have held him back not talent or merit had massive wraps and is a genuine gun player I wouldn't be surprised if he sets the nrl on fire at all

I mean, if he's part Tohu - we can just fix him with tape, right?

In all seriousness, I'm pretty happy with our recent calls on recruitment.

 

[Noitall]

New Zealand Warriors comment on Tanah Boyd rumours

He has been linked with a move to the North Queensland Cowboys.

www.zerotackle.com

Sounds like there’s no intention of letting Tanah Boyd go early

 

[chrisnz]

I mean, if he's part Tohu - we can just fix him with tape, right?

In all seriousness, I'm pretty happy with our recent calls on recruitment.

Crazy thing is I'm never that happy initially but the Webster effect needs studied he is not getting the props he deserves on the way he is transforming a lot of these recruits everyone talks about it happening at the storm we seem to be doing the same or better these days

 

[Boston Boy]

New Zealand Warriors comment on Tanah Boyd rumours

He has been linked with a move to the North Queensland Cowboys.

www.zerotackle.com

Sounds like there’s no intention of letting Tanah Boyd go early

They can't, if Luke Metcalf goes down we need Tannah to steer the team.

 

[Victor_Radley's_Scrotum]

They can't, if Luke Metcalf goes down we need Tannah to steer the team.

Definitely a handy player to have in reserve should the need arise. In an ideal world he wouldn't see a minute of first grade this season but we Warriors supporters know that we aren't living in an ideal world.