Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

[Ever Hopeful]

Filling the mullet quota so that we can offload DWZ.

Our last dude out of Nelson College was half-decent.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tboErD-IhpU&t=97s

 

[Warriors55]

Because he’s being measured against AFB, which he isn’t. On field they’re not the same players in what AFB offers. He’s only been here in his first season but I’ve been hugely impressed in how he’s brought in and seems to pop up in videos unexpectedly like with the nsw cup guys after the first grade season was over. His attitude is going to be invaluable and as great as AFB is, I’m not convinced his attitude is what you want passed on the the next crop

His attitude has been great no doubt about that. His on field performances though were not like they were at Penrith. Maybe that is coming into a new system and adapting his game to that. Next year hopefully he rises to the level he is capable of.

 

[Chchfanatic]

Now AKP signed as well. A great Saturday morning.

 

[Noitall]

Now AKP signed as well. A great Saturday morning.

Finally. Probably waited the 10 days that gave titans the opportunity to up their offer

 

[Defence]

Now AKP signed as well. A great Saturday morning.

Well that adds some elite pace- now for a bit of size....

 

[Wrighty]

Warriors sign Titans flyer from 2026

He will join the club on a multi-year deal.

www.zerotackle.com

The New Zealand Warriors enjoyed a sensational season that ended bitterly in 2025, and have ramped up their recruitment drive in hopes of chasing a premiership next season.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the ‘Wahs' have added one of the NRL's fastest players to their backline, securing the signature of Alofiana Khan-Pereira from the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal beginning in 2026.

The 23-year-old flyer agreed to terms with the Warriors within the last 48 hours, locking in a contract that will see him join the Auckland-based club through the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Alofiana Khan-Pereira of the Titans makes a break to score a try during the round nine NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on May 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
As first revealed last month, the Titans had granted Khan-Pereira permission to negotiate with the Warriors after he expressed interest in relocating to New Zealand.

Khan-Pereira was contracted to the Titans until the end of 2026, but it's understood his preference was to move closer to family, with his background of Māori and Samoan heritage playing a key role in the decision.

The Warriors have been actively scouting backline talent in recent months, with a focus on adding genuine pace out wide.


Khan-Pereira fits that bill perfectly, offering strike power and reliability out of the backfield.

Ranked among the top-five fastest players in the NRL, Khan-Pereira clocked nearly 36km/h at top speed last season and has quickly become one of the competition's most electric finishers.

His departure from the Titans' 2026 roster marks another major roster shift under newly appointed coach Josh Hannay, who has already overseen significant movement since arriving on the Gold Coast.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Do we think he is likely to nab a starting spot?

 

[Cces]

Do we think he is likely to nab a starting spot?

He's only played left Wing in his career to date so he only starts if they want to play RTS elsewhere

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

He's only played left Wing in his career to date so he only starts if they want to play RTS elsewhere

RTS to fullback confirmed

 

[Wrighty]

This is speculation....feels like he is coming here because Warriors are a stronger club than Titans. A compliment to our coaching staff and 2025 season.

 

[John Nick]

This is speculation....feels like he is coming here because Warriors are a stronger club than Titans. A compliment to our coaching staff and 2025 season.

Probably thinking he will get a fg start when he can't make fg at the Tits

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Wrighty that's a pretty worrying list imo, I think you've actually kinda proved the point about how bad we need NAS.

Losing Bunty, Ale, and Jazz and Walker in the last 12 months means that we are seriously depleted in our prop stocks.

Yes, there's a few make shift options in Niukore, Laban, or even Clark but yeah, let's look at that list a bit closer:

1. JFH - loads of complaints about his output on the field this year. Smaller forward.
2. Barney - season ending injury. Anyone's guess how long it takes him to his his straps nek year. Likely won't be available until season starts.
3. Ford - loads of complaints re: his hands and discipline. Small forward
4. Vaimauga - great young gun. Has played just over 1 full season NRL.
5. TSS - Small forward, only 12 games into his career. Hard to rely on a newbie like him.
6. EIT - not even a prop. Only 5 games in to his career.

You can't start the year with only 5 fit props, 3 who have a combined total of about 45 games between them. We'd get rolled.

Looking at that actually has me worried. If we don't sign NAS or another prop I think we might need to have someone like Marata or Clark train the whole preseason as a prop because we are dangerously low on experienced props

Very good points. I have a feeling Clark will shift to prop. But yeah, we need a solid north/south runner who can get over the advantage line.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Do we think he is likely to nab a starting spot?

I think so. I can’t see him being worse than DWZ. Also plenty of young speedsters start off shaky on defence. Some man up and start getting physical, some don’t.

 

[Naynay]

Do we think he is likely to nab a starting spot?

Probably an indication that RTS is not gonna be extended, 1 year to get the spot and then take over 27 with maybe some injury cover 26.

 

[Naynay]

Wrighty that's a pretty worrying list imo, I think you've actually kinda proved the point about how bad we need NAS.

Losing Bunty, Ale, and Jazz and Walker in the last 12 months means that we are seriously depleted in our prop stocks.

Yes, there's a few make shift options in Niukore, Laban, or even Clark but yeah, let's look at that list a bit closer:

1. JFH - loads of complaints about his output on the field this year. Smaller forward.
2. Barney - season ending injury. Anyone's guess how long it takes him to his his straps nek year. Likely won't be available until season starts.
3. Ford - loads of complaints re: his hands and discipline. Small forward
4. Vaimauga - great young gun. Has played just over 1 full season NRL.
5. TSS - Small forward, only 12 games into his career. Hard to rely on a newbie like him.
6. EIT - not even a prop. Only 5 games in to his career.

You can't start the year with only 5 fit props, 3 who have a combined total of about 45 games between them. We'd get rolled.

Looking at that actually has me worried. If we don't sign NAS or another prop I think we might need to have someone like Marata or Clark train the whole preseason as a prop because we are dangerously low on experienced props

Just saying I agree we need more middle depth atm, but adding a middle who is clearly on the down turn should not be the answer.

Only thing that would make it worth a look is a 1 year deal on minimum for us with storm paying whatever the difference is, out side those conditions its only a loss for us.

 

[cock_o]

Just saying I agree we need more middle depth atm, but adding a middle who is clearly on the down turn should not be the answer.

Only thing that would make it worth a look is a 1 year deal on minimum for us with storm paying whatever the difference is, out side those conditions its only a loss for us.

Storm won't be paying the difference. He dosen't work there any more.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Just saying I agree we need more middle depth atm, but adding a middle who is clearly on the down turn should not be the answer.

Only thing that would make it worth a look is a 1 year deal on minimum for us with storm paying whatever the difference is, out side those conditions its only a loss for us.

Yeah the price would need to be right for sure, but again I feel most of the older, or lowely rated players we've bought in the last few years - Ford, Barnett, Montoya, Capewell, Clark, Walker, even CNK - have all played better than they were at their previous clubs, with some of them being absolute steals (like Clark and Ford).
Marata is really the only one who has been a let down imo.

If the price is right, I'd back Webby to get Nelson back to doing what he does best. Even if that's just for a year with NAS, I'd be willing to see what that turns in to.

Webby will get the best out of AKP too I'm sure

 

[Teets]

Filling the mullet quota so that we can offload DWZ.

Our last dude out of Nelson College was half-decent.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tboErD-IhpU&t=97s

Excited to see how he goes. That transition from union 10 to league playmaker is tougher than people realise.

His Nelson College mate Saumaki Saumaki going to Souths. Best name in sports.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Filling the mullet quota so that we can offload DWZ.

Our last dude out of Nelson College was half-decent.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tboErD-IhpU&t=97s

I'm confused. Is he a schoolboy? Cos he looks like hes retired with 5 adult kids!?

 

[mrblonde]

Honestly this talk about NAS is odd - we have 1 place in our top 30 for next year and you fill it with an aging, slow middle?

Who wants to go to R360.
I'm not a particularly big fan of 1 Season deals - maybe for Fish in a year or two I'd consider one, but not for NAS for several reasons, attitude and R360 being 2 of those.