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	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
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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[Noitall]

New Zealand Warriors lock in pathways standout on long-term deal

The junior captain led the club to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

What are people’s views on this guy and is he apart of the long term picture? Is he likely to play nsw cup next year and is the halves where he’s likely to stay? Looks like he’s filling out a bit

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

New Zealand Warriors lock in pathways standout on long-term deal

The junior captain led the club to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

What are people’s views on this guy and is he apart of the long term picture? Is he likely to play nsw cup next year and is the halves where he’s likely to stay? Looks like he’s filling out a bit

Who's his brother who's way faster? And is he in the system?

 

[Ever Hopeful]

New Zealand Warriors lock in pathways standout on long-term deal

The junior captain led the club to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

What are people’s views on this guy and is he apart of the long term picture? Is he likely to play nsw cup next year and is the halves where he’s likely to stay? Looks like he’s filling out a bit

There has been plenty of talk about his exciting potential from those here that watch the juniors. I'd imagine a few thought they were talking about Luke Hanson.

He is one to keep, so good job by the club.

 

[Theking267]

Who's his brother who's way faster? And is he in the system?

Bunty’s brother has been extended as well Gordon Afoa through till 27. Gordon and Luke are part of the same agency

 

[Noitall]

Bunty’s brother has been extended as well Gordon Afoa through till 27. Gordon and Luke are part of the same agency

View: https://www.facebook.com/SVM2021/posts/congrats-to-svms-gordon-afoa-the-2025-warriors-sg-ball-club-person-of-the-year-h/1811962266241664/

 

[CWC]

View: https://www.facebook.com/SVM2021/posts/congrats-to-svms-gordon-afoa-the-2025-warriors-sg-ball-club-person-of-the-year-h/1811962266241664/

Where's the hair?

 

[Noitall]

Who's his brother who's way faster? And is he in the system?

not sure

 

[Noitall]

There has been plenty of talk about his exciting potential from those here that watch the juniors. I'd imagine a few thought they were talking about Luke Hanson.

He is one to keep, so good job by the club.

Luke Hanson

The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Luke Hanson including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.warriors.kiwi

Talking about Luke Hanson though, surely the club is in discussions about extending him? His stats this year have gone to another level from those last year

 

[Ref]

New Zealand Warriors lock in pathways standout on long-term deal

The junior captain led the club to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

What are people’s views on this guy and is he apart of the long term picture? Is he likely to play nsw cup next year and is the halves where he’s likely to stay? Looks like he’s filling out a bit

I've seen a fair bit of him live and refereed him several times. Viking among others also would have spotted him at some age group tournaments.

He has all that is required in his kit bag for a quality half including a decent kicking game.

His control of the game and awareness is top notch.

Probably the same speed as Harris Tavita

He can control tempo of the game wherever he plays.

I really like him as a 6/7 but I think his best position going forward could be a ball playing and hard working 13.
A Cameron Murray type player rather than a Jazz/Erin.

Surely he plays SG Ball next year and then Flegg and who knows he might get a gig here and there in NSW Cup.
He doesn't turn 18 until next year which is the same as Leka was when he played Cup at 17.

His brother Devan who is 14/15 maybe is a slighter build but a dynamic runner of the ball.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I've seen a fair bit of him live and refereed him several times. Viking among others also would have spotted him at some age group tournaments.

He has all that is required in his kit bag for a quality half including a decent kicking game.

His control of the game and awareness is top notch.

Probably the same speed as Harris Tavita

He can control tempo of the game wherever he plays.

I really like him as a 6/7 but I think his best position going forward could be a ball playing and hard working 13.
A Cameron Murray type player rather than a Jazz/Erin.

Surely he plays SG Ball next year and then Flegg and who knows he might get a gig here and there in NSW Cup.
He doesn't turn 18 until next year which is the age that Leka started playing Cup.

His brother Devan who is 14/15 maybe is a slighter build but a dynamic runner of the ball.

He was on a podcast with Warriorholic recently. I think he'll be a 13 too. Hes over 6ft & 90 something KG.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Good to hear from Barney & Luke


View: https://youtu.be/qbKj0LC93js?si=wMyGVvngbwkqIFI8

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Good to hear from Barney & Luke


View: https://youtu.be/qbKj0LC93js?si=wMyGVvngbwkqIFI8

Tookey has slimmed down a lot since his playing days!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Tookey has slimmed down a lot since his playing days!

Thanks Doll

 

[Ref]

He was on a podcast with Warriorholic recently. I think he'll be a 13 too. Hes over 6ft & 90 something KG.

I saw him a couple of weeks ago
At this stage id say he's 5.10 maybe 5.11 tops and 88kg.
But growing and only 17.

Just watched his interview with Warriorholic.
Says his preferred position might be lock and hooker.
I can see him as a hooker.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I saw him a couple of weeks ago
At this stage id say he's 5.10 maybe 5.11 tops and 88kg.
But growing and only 17.

Just watched his interview with Warriorholic.
Says his preferred position might be lock and hooker.
I can see him as a hooker.

Yeah, He mentions in the podcast that he is 91/92kg and 182cm. Just shy of 6ft. So not far off of my original comment. Not bad considering I can't remember what I did half an hour ago.

 

[Horriors2013]

New Zealand Warriors lock in pathways standout on long-term deal

The junior captain led the club to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title in 2025.

www.zerotackle.com

What are people’s views on this guy and is he apart of the long term picture? Is he likely to play nsw cup next year and is the halves where he’s likely to stay? Looks like he’s filling out a bit

A smart young man. A true footy brain for one so young. I'm so glad we're signing these young gems. There's so many - Crosby and Norris would be my next targets - Crosby has 'x' factor. Not as tall as Olakauatu, but IMO capable of similar feats. Norris is that exciting 3/4 we have lacked for some time. Of course we already have Pasikala signed - he's a special. And Kali. Those two would be our future right and left wingers. Norris can play centre or wing.

 

[Horriors2013]

I've seen a fair bit of him live and refereed him several times. Viking among others also would have spotted him at some age group tournaments.

He has all that is required in his kit bag for a quality half including a decent kicking game.

His control of the game and awareness is top notch.

Probably the same speed as Harris Tavita

He can control tempo of the game wherever he plays.

I really like him as a 6/7 but I think his best position going forward could be a ball playing and hard working 13.
A Cameron Murray type player rather than a Jazz/Erin.

Surely he plays SG Ball next year and then Flegg and who knows he might get a gig here and there in NSW Cup.
He doesn't turn 18 until next year which is the same as Leka was when he played Cup at 17.

His brother Devan who is 14/15 maybe is a slighter build but a dynamic runner of the ball.

Yeah, good call. Doesn't have the explosiveness off the mark for a half but he's smart. His younger brother Mason has cerebral palsy, which didn't look so great in the one time I saw him. But I get it, brotherly love is strong. who knows, that was about 3 years ago. Might have overcome his disability, some of them do.

 

[Leon Black]

Watched him in Harold Mats — real standout. Got that leadership presence and plenty of maturity for his age, you can see him going places. Well-grounded, humble kid too, with the skill and talent to match. He’s tight with Lemana as well, another one worth keeping an eye on. That whole side has churned out some serious talent this year.

Luke Hanson’s been a mixed bag — looked ordinary in Flegg, but much stronger in NSW Cup. Probably down to him trying to steer a Jekyll-and-Hyde team around the park, which did him no favours.

 

[Ryno 2.0]

Good to hear from Barney & Luke


View: https://youtu.be/qbKj0LC93js?si=wMyGVvngbwkqIFI8

Man, I fucken love this team!

 

[CWC]

I suppose we have time to sign a winger later next year if Mellars and Kali are not ready? Pretty nervous the way Roger is playing we lose his ability in ‘27