Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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The forum focuses extensively on the Warriors' 2025/2026 contract situations, recruitment targets, and roster evaluations. Key discussions revolve around Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Tigers #223#230, which fans attribute to backline depth and family considerations, while debating Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential shift to wing. Erin Clark's signing as a middle forward #342 generates mixed reactions about his role conversion from hooker. Notable contract concerns include Bunty Afoa's uncertain future #391 and priority re-signings for young talents like Ali Leiataua. Positional debates feature strong opinions about Tohu Harris' reduced role #427, Mitch Barnett's workload management #401, and Jackson Ford's utility value #402. Recruitment speculation highlights interest in Leo Thompson #393#403 amid salary cap constraints. Critical analyses of departing players emerge, including Josh Curran's criticism of Andrew Webster #51#115932 and Jazz Tevaga's emotional exit #437. Fans consistently urge roster upgrades to address goal-kicking deficiencies and spine depth ahead of 2025.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Contracts, Outside Backs, Forward Recruitment

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9546 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 20s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Jett ClearySS
9Wayde Egan
10James Fisher-Harris
11Jackson Ford
12Leka Halasima
13Morgan Harper
14Chanel Harris-Tavita
15Sam Healey
16Edward Kosi
17Jacob Laban
18Ali Leiataua
19Jye Linnane
20Freddy Lussick
21Te Maire Martin
22Luke Metcalf
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
24Marata Niukore
25Adam Pompey
26Tanner Stowers-Smith
27Taine Tuaupiki
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
29Demitric Vaimauga
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-
-Motu PasikalaT??
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



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Last edited:

NZWarriors.com

Kalyn Ponga

🤣 But seriously if EIT's not in the 30 then him and Kayliss ya, or 1 of the young wingers since Dallin's a walking zombie this year
Maybe Kayliss, wouldnt expect EIT considering he gets upgraded to top 30 next year, club is probably happy to let him develop a bit more before the call up
 
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Gotta have 30 in the squad at June 30, If we aren't bringing in an outsider EIT and Kayliss are obvious inclusions. We will have a shit load of cash with Harris and Walker leaving and not yet being replaced. The club is probably seeing what's out there, and if nothing pops up that can add to our squad this season they will do some front loading of contracts. I'm sure we will offer Metcalf a juicey extension with extra cash this year as a signing bonus.
 
Gotta have 30 in the squad at June 30, If we aren't bringing in an outsider EIT and Kayliss are obvious inclusions. We will have a shit load of cash with Harris and Walker leaving and not yet being replaced. The club is probably seeing what's out there, and if nothing pops up that can add to our squad this season they will do some front loading of contracts. I'm sure we will offer Metcalf a juicey extension with extra cash this year as a signing bonus.
Yeah we ain't signing anyone lol

Any extra cash this year will be used to renegotiate Metcalf's contract so we extend him and he earns more this year (no other club can offer this)

Welcome to the top 30 EIT and Kayliss !!
 
When Walker was released, I remember Cameron George saying we didn’t have to add someone to the top 30 because he was part of it at the start of the season.

I might be wrong, anyone else remember hearing that?
 
Question:
Is Sloan from the Dragons worth a look?
Has speed but defensively insecure ?

Probably not.

Amazing speed and no doubt has game changing talent, but where would we play him?

Defense is weak, high ball is shaky, questionable work ethic, and will probably want to play fullback (and be paid like it) rather than wing.

Seems like the type of signing we've actively tried to avoid in recent years. Sounds more like a future Titan/Tiger/Eel than he does a Warrior.
 
Probably not.

Amazing speed and no doubt has game changing talent, but where would we play him?

Defense is weak, high ball is shaky, questionable work ethic, and will probably want to play fullback (and be paid like it) rather than wing.

Seems like the type of signing we've actively tried to avoid in recent years. Sounds more like a future Titan/Tiger/Eel than he does a Warrior.
Titans have
Dr Groot
Brimson
Kini
Three (3) full backs
But I get your drift
A bottom of the ladder team might pick him up
 
Since we persevered with Ed so long and he is on the improve, given our shortage of Wingers, it would seem a waste of the years invested to not keep him around.

I like his second phase game, his tackling and his hit ups.

They should lean him down and make him a true Winger.
 
Bummer, doubt we were ever in the running since we're in NZ, but if we could make one signing for next year it'd be a stud back. Bless Pompey, but having a real strike centre would transform our team. Forwards are having to do way too much work to win games. Halves are young and will continue to improve next year, but the backs aren't and are likely at their ceilings, apart from maybe Berry who can't stay healthy.

Speaking of backs, clearly our young forwards current and coming through are looking the goods. Do we have much in the way of talented backs coming through? We could really use some.
 
Bummer, doubt we were ever in the running since we're in NZ, but if we could make one signing for next year it'd be a stud back. Bless Pompey, but having a real strike centre would transform our team. Forwards are having to do way too much work to win games. Halves are young and will continue to improve next year, but the backs aren't and are likely at their ceilings, apart from maybe Berry who can't stay healthy.

Speaking of backs, clearly our young forwards current and coming through are looking the goods. Do we have much in the way of talented backs coming through? We could really use some.
That’s why we should take a chance on someone like Tyrell Sloan. None of our outside backs have his talent. He has his issues under the high ball and defensive problems but so do all of our outside backs apart from maybe Berry. Surely webby could get the best out of him.
 
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That’s why we should take a chance on someone like Tyrell Sloan. None of our outside backs have his talent. He has his issues under the high ball and defensive problems but so do all of our outside backs apart from maybe Berry. Surely webby could get the best out of him.
DWZ/RTS are old, and the backup is Kosi. We should 100% go for it if there aren't absolute guns coming through on the same level as our young gun forwards. DWZ looks cooked, RTS is all good but he's aging. Our forwards are skewed young and our back 5 skewed old. Not quite the right balance.
 
That’s why we should take a chance on someone like Tyrell Sloan. None of our outside backs have his talent. He has his issues under the high ball and defensive problems but so do all of our outside backs apart from maybe Berry. Surely webby could get the best out of him.
Its a blessing to have speed. But that guys is as clueless as DWZ on reading defense. Terrible under the high ball and even worse in the tackle, Soft as baby nads. This forum would have a sack Tyrell Sloan thread up in a month..
 
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