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

---

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 to offtopic chat.

 

[Boston Boy]

I am not sure what to say, love our māori and Island boys, I am guessing this is a joke but it wasn't funny what happened when Taumalolo and that felt uncomfortable and a little on the outer, then left the Kiwis, and we lost some of the we in the Kiwi. All for māori culture being strong and the dominant culture but I also think our Pacifica boys should also have strong representation, and other cultures should be recognised and honoured.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I am not sure what to say, love our māori and Island boys, I am guessing this is a joke but it wasn't funny what happened when Taumalolo and that felt uncomfortable and a little on the outer, then left the Kiwis, and we lost some of the we in the Kiwi. All for māori culture being strong and the dominant culture but I also think our Pacifica boys should also have strong representation, and other cultures should be recognised and honoured.

I’m only trying to highlight the absurdity of an unnecessarily racially-charged earlier post. Typical behaviour from the bloke responsible.

 

[Cces]

There is flood of māori players returning to the Warriors and this club is stronger for it. māori players wanting to come home is the strongest bond this country has.

Flood seems very hyperbolic when you consider it's a historic trend:

2025 - JFH, Clark, Harper
2024 -
2023 - TMM, CNK, Walker, Tuaupiki

2019 - Nikorima, Herbert, Milne, Pompey
2018 - Harris, Beale, Pulu, Blair, Hiku

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

The most telling thing in that interview comes early in the peace where McFadden says he jumped at the Warriors development and pathways manager position to provide security for himself and his family.

That is the antithesis of the mantra around here where fans fret about our Aussie players not likely to stick around and all the posts about either throwing silly money at them, or the posts about not playing them in key Warriors roles because they won't stay (Metcalf thread if you want evidence of the Whining fans that Make a job in NZ sound like a life sentence).

I think quite honestly that fans have no idea about how acutely tuned to the Aussie in NZ problem that Cappy and Webster live through themselves.

These blokes know better than anyone how to identify Aussie who will adapt and how to make New Zealand a positive work place for them.

It is staring us in the face.

We are a great Aussie pathway offshore that from time to time will hire an idiot like Adam Fonua Blake, who will want to piss off when it suits, but hey he is Tongan and the Tongan league scene is not one marked by loyalty to countries outside of Tonga, ergo if NZ learned anything about Aussie based Tongans it is that they are even less likely to stay here than the ones who were born here and abandoned the Kiwis. Elise Katoa pissed off first chance he could, the Tongans are not loyal to New Zealand, yet these threads are flooded with Aussie exodus posts....Irony much.

I think McFadden and Webster understand these nuances, they themselves live in a world where they are trying to help a New Zealand team win and Australian competition.

I recon McFadden and Webster spend a lot of time horse Whispering all the Australians we have in every grade top down as to why the Warriors are a good option.

We offer the chance to be the first NRL champions at this club.

We treat our Aussies like star imports.

The fans treat our Aussies like star imports.

The Aussies who come here and play well get treated like Demi Gods on the street compared to backyard Sydney where they cop shit.

Also McFadden and Webster seem to have woken up to the problem at the Warriors where they did not celebrate hearty Mana māori.

There is flood of māori players returning to the Warriors and this club is stronger for it. māori players wanting to come home is the strongest bond this country has.

About tongan loyalty, do you think this apply to Leka? Or because he was born here, he will stay loyal?

It's going to be interesting because he's going to become hot property.

 

[Boston Boy]

About tongan loyalty, do you think this apply to Leka? Or because he was born here, he will stay loyal?

It's going to be interesting because he's going to become hot property.

There was reports that Leka wanted to be a part of the first team that wins in NZ. I think if we offer good money and don't try to under cut him he will stay.

 

[sup42]

Flood seems very hyperbolic when you consider it's a historic trend:

2025 - JFH, Clark, Harper
2024 -
2023 - TMM, CNK, Walker, Tuaupiki

2019 - Nikorima, Herbert, Milne, Pompey
2018 - Harris, Beale, Pulu, Blair, Hiku

Change the metaphor to farkn Super star māori player comes home singular reversing a trend of decades coz he is Tangata Whenua.

 

[Kestrel84]

What the fuck?

 

[sup42]

About tongan loyalty, do you think this apply to Leka? Or because he was born here, he will stay loyal?

It's going to be interesting because he's going to become hot property.

My point was that hiring Aussies is just as likely to stick as hiring Tongans from Australia or from Tonga.

All are non New Zealanders, and going off our recent history as far as who is most likely to stay....it makes no sense to me that people stress about retaining Aussies....

 

[Worried2Death]

Hopefully we can persuade a few more Aussies to become New Zealanders regardless of their background. I love that the club welcomes aussies, we're all descendants of voyagers whether we got here by waka or Jetstar.

Actually, can Metcarve qualify for the Kiwis on residency? How long does that take, used to be 3 years from memory unless you can come up with a long lost granny.

 

[SJ2k]

Leka will stay or go based on his vibes with the club and his pay packet. Just like if he was with an aussie club. Cracking the code to bringing in the right aussie talent is key. We can't command loyalty, it's a professional game. But we are at a locational disadvantage, so nailing the identification of those who won't have any issues being here is key. The clubs culture, which has largely been garbage pre webby/razor, is completely linked with this. Can anyone remember the last time we had a culture this good? Our squad is not a top four squad, it's not even a top 8 squad on paper. The boys are grinding out win after win through effort and resilience. It's got to be attractive to talent. If we can get some real strike we are a true top 4 team.

 

[CWC]

Hopefully we can persuade a few more Aussies to become New Zealanders regardless of their background. I love that the club welcomes aussies, we're all descendants of voyagers whether we got here by waka or Jetstar.

Actually, can Metcarve qualify for the Kiwis on residency? How long does that take, used to be 3 years from memory unless you can come up with a long lost granny.

If SOO opens up dual reps the floodgates would open for the kiwis and our recruitment, we could see Egan, Ford and Metcalf all playing for the kiwis lol

My mind flashes Greta when you mention jetstar

 

[Worried2Death]

If SOO opens up dual reps the floodgates would open for the kiwis and our recruitment, we could see Egan, Ford and Metcalf all playing for the kiwis lol

My mind flashes Greta when you mention jetstar

Jacko Ford might do a heartier haka than Jase Nightingale.

Anyway, any recruitment news?

 

[juju]

Hopefully we can persuade a few more Aussies to become New Zealanders regardless of their background. I love that the club welcomes aussies, we're all descendants of voyagers whether we got here by waka or Jetstar.

Actually, can Metcarve qualify for the Kiwis on residency? How long does that take, used to be 3 years from memory unless you can come up with a long lost granny.

Our battled hardened Aussies are part of the club lore now.

A certain personality seems type seems to be recurring too.

Barnett is well on his way to being one of the most loved Aussie players

 

[Worried2Death]

Our battled hardened Aussies are part of the club lore now.

A certain personality seems type seems to be recurring too.

Barnett is well on his way to being one of the most loved Aussie players

Doesn't hurt that he looks and talks exactly like Owen Wilson either, he's a big hit with the wahine fans.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

If SOO opens up dual reps the floodgates would open for the kiwis and our recruitment, we could see Egan, Ford and Metcalf all playing for the kiwis lol

My mind flashes Greta when you mention jetstar

That will never happen

 

[The Warrior Waka]

About tongan loyalty, do you think this apply to Leka? Or because he was born here, he will stay loyal?

Leka was born in Tonga bro.

I can't see Leka leaving us. He is loved by the club & is a fan favourite. He has the potential to be in the top earners at the club.
The loyalty at his age is to his family. As with most polys, family & faith is first & foremost. We just need to pay him his worth and hope he keeps on delivering on his enormous potential.

I don't want another Ali Lauitiiti scenario....

 

[Noitall]

Leka was born in Tonga bro.

I can't see Leka leaving us. He is loved by the club & is a fan favourite. He has the potential to be in the top earners at the club.
The loyalty at his age is to his family. As with most polys, family & faith is first & foremost. We just need to pay him his worth and hope he keeps on delivering on his enormous potential.

I don't want another Ali Lauitiiti scenario....

That McFadden interview that Makasene put up gave the impression that it was in their minds to put a lengthy contract in front of him

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Leka was born in Tonga bro.

I can't see Leka leaving us. He is loved by the club & is a fan favourite. He has the potential to be in the top earners at the club.
The loyalty at his age is to his family. As with most polys, family & faith is first & foremost. We just need to pay him his worth and hope he keeps on delivering on his enormous potential.

I don't want another Ali Lauitiiti scenario....

Same man! I hope he stays humble.

 

[CWC]

That McFadden interview that Makasene put up gave the impression that it was in their minds to put a lengthy contract in front of him

Wonder if there are any more Lekas in development, or if any of the guys touted by posters here are at that level.

Noticed a couple mentioned as future centres too, can they play wing or FB first to succeed from DWZ/RTS?

 

[Boston Boy]

Wonder if there are any more Lekas in development, or if any of the guys touted by posters here are at that level.

Noticed a couple mentioned as future centres too, can they play wing or FB first to succeed from DWZ/RTS?

Fatialofa is a little different but it could be argued has a better nose for the try line (I haven't. looked at the stats but that's what it seems). I think we need Fatialofa locked up as at least a back up plan incase the Aussies go crazy for Leka.