Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	✔​
Rocco Berry	✔​
Tanah Boyd	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Freddy Lussick	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Sio Kali	U​
Braelan Marsh	U​	U​	U​
Motu Pasikala	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

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

2027 Top 30: 20/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[Horriors2013]

Tells me they're still undecided on Hanson or are keeping him. Otherwise Cleary would be starting over him.

Here's another question. Why did Ivan let him come here instead of his own club? Surely he was the perfect age to replace Nathan when he retires? Or even partner him before eventually replacing? Is the plan fir the Panthers to take him back once he makes FG?

 

[Horriors2013]

I'd love to see Hanson be given a Crack in FG. Cup was stacked with FGers this year, so it's hard to gage where some players are. Boyd was a mixed bag, but he was dropped in the deep end. Hanson gives me Blake Green vibes - decent distributor, but pace is capped, a bit like Boyd.

 

[Five&Last]

Here's another question. Why did Ivan let him come here instead of his own club? Surely he was the perfect age to replace Nathan when he retires? Or even partner him before eventually replacing? Is the plan for the Panthers to take him back once he makes FG?

Here’s another question, why did they let Isaiya Katoa go when they knew the cost crunch would force them to let go of Luai

 

[Horriors2013]

What's the likelihood of Metcalf, Clark & Halasima being current squad members if that was the case?

I don't think anyone picking Nikorima is serious.

 

[Cces]

Here's another question. Why did Ivan let him come here instead of his own club? Surely he was the perfect age to replace Nathan when he retires? Or even partner him before eventually replacing? Is the plan fir the Panthers to take him back once he makes FG?

I think Isaiya Katoa hadn't yet signed for the Dolphins when Hanson made his decision

 

[Horriors2013]

Here’s another question, why did they let Isaiya Katoa go when they knew the cost crunch would force them to let go of Luai

Exactly! In 2 years time Jett probably packs his bags and heads back home.

 

[Five&Last]

I'd love to see Hanson be given a Crack in FG. Cup was stacked with FGers this year, so it's hard to gage where some players are. Boyd was a mixed bag, but he was dropped in the deep end. Hanson gives me Blake Green vibes - decent distributor, but pace is capped, a bit like Boyd.

Hanson is so much faster than both Boyd and Green

 

[Horriors2013]

I think Isaiya Katoa hadn't yet signed for the Dolphins when Hanson made his decision

I was referring to Jett. But yeah Hanson is another question.

 

[Five&Last]

Exactly! In 2 years time Jett probably packs his bags and heads back home.

Nah they seem pretty deadset in developing Blaize who complements Nathan a lot better than Jett would.

Jett is basically an inferior version of Nathan in terms of style.

 

[Horriors2013]

Hanson is so much faster than both Boyd and Green

That's a relief, but how much more?

 

[Horriors2013]

Nah they seem pretty deadset in developing Blaize who complements Nathan a lot better than Jett would.

Jett is basically an inferior version of Nathan in terms of style.

Yes. That's what I wanted to hear someone say out loud. He's not as good as we think. It's the name. Media hype. That's actually good news. He might mature over here and improve really fast next year and beyond.

 

[Noitall]

Nah they seem pretty deadset in developing Blaize who complements Nathan a lot better than Jett would.

Jett is basically an inferior version of Nathan in terms of style.

Jack Cole hasn’t progressed over there for the same reason, Talagi a runner like Luai and does compliment Cleary’s style. Apparently Talagi missed the whole preseason so getting him up to speed was probably a reason for their slow start to the season

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We are developing them aren't we??

No really no, how many of our juniors are top of thier class?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Identifying them is part of the puzzle too. Iongi was highly rated but was stuck behind Dylan Edwards. Interesting it’s come to light in last few days that when Luai signed with tigers, Galvin’s management reached out to panthers. Panthers apparently weren’t interested and pursued Talagi with him being the one they wanted. It’s often the players stuck behind others and looking for an opportunity somewhere else, Chevy Stewart obviously in this situation too

Mitchell Wood to me is the next one.

 

[JaggedJ]

Who do we actually have as a fullback prospect?

Forwards we seem to have coming out the Wazoo.

We have bought in a lot of Aussie halves because there was a lack of them here.

We have two young hookers being developed but also brought in two Aussie ones (Healy/Marsh) so we're covering our bases there too.

Kali, Norris, Pasikala, Leiataua are pushing in the outside backs.

But FB? We don't seem to be bringing anyone in, but also don't have anyone ready to challenge TT or CNK.

Is Linnane a chance, is a signing coming, is a junior about to break out? Or is it CNK for two more seasons?

 

[Leon Black]

Agreed. He had a decent game but Kennedy is usually the weak point of that side.

Their strength is definitely their forward pack and outside backs, which massively covers for Kennedy’s deficiencies.

You forgot the highly overpaid myth in the No.7 too! Trindall and Brailey their dangers.

 

[CWC]

Metcalf/Jett or Thompson, and Linnane at fullback in a few years?

I think we are talking about Kennedy because Taine is clearly what we need to solve the red zone stalemate but Webby doesn’t want to play him, therefore we’d prefer anyone signed from outside that will pass the ball

Ali really needs to get his stuff together otherwise there is a queue behind him

 

[CWC]

I'd love to see Hanson be given a Crack in FG. Cup was stacked with FGers this year, so it's hard to gage where some players are. Boyd was a mixed bag, but he was dropped in the deep end. Hanson gives me Blake Green vibes - decent distributor, but pace is capped, a bit like Boyd.

Boyd is actually fast for a half, did you see how he pulled away from McLean?

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Mets sighted at Eden Park with Wayde and RTS. Seems happy on our side of the ditch.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Mets sighted at Eden Park with Wayde and RTS. Seems happy on our side of the ditch.

Nek minnit - linked with Australia for the RU WC to push up his price.

I honestly haven't seen any sign of him not being stoked to play for our club and live in NZ. He always looks and sounds like he is living his dream.