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

 

[Kav1]

Yuppp, with Boyd as our half we would be lucky to finish 12th. We aren't doing anything we Boyd. The only caveat would be, that if we had a superstar 6 (or developing superstar 6, who was a dynamic runner and could kick a bit) we could make the 8 but that does not look likely.

I disagree. Tannah has been good at straitening the attack, allowing his outside support more room to move (something that Metcalfe was not renowned for).

 

[WHB]

One guy who hasnt been menfioned regarding the Halves is Hanson. Last year I thiughf he was not voing to make FG. He deems to have realky improved this year. It silk be interesting how he goes after another pre season.

I still ssy look at michael Manson.

I mentioned Michael Manson on a post.
He plays like he plays league .
Has a monster boot.
Speed to burn and a tonne of guts when he has to.

Would be a go.

 

[SouthernWorrier]

Looks like it's offical, the warrior's now have an extra inch! https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/10/17/top-prospect-inch-signs-with-warriors-for-two-years/

"Inch will join the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) squad when pre-season training starts next month.

Among the other new faces in the squad will be hooker Braelan Marsh – son of former Warrior PJ Marsh – who was signed last month."

Disagree, I think it’s inevitable that at least one of them will get homesick and get a ‘compassionate’ release

Happens all the time

does it tho? AFB&YokoOno agitated ... Dylan Walkers personal circumstances sound super complicated. Prior to that.....Jeff Robson 2016? Lets maybe dial down this as an option for anyone from aussie that may not have signed in blood to be here forever.

Metcalf will be here next year to see his contract out and hopefully longer. But Mgmt has contingency plans lining up whether he stays or not. My guess is that we have made a strong but fair offer for someone crocked 1st by hammies and now knees. and 2 years hedges bets. Bears at least will go mad overs. If he's all about the money he'll go ..... and be crocked in no time on those concrete WA grounds.

Let's not throw the bank at a risky option no matter how sharp & good in clutch moments because on track record you wouldn't want to bet on more than 25 games in those 2 years.

 

[Kav1]

Unless Ivan comes over?

That is a strong possibility. Having achieved so much at Penrith, he may consider it time to return to his old club as a mentor to AW. In one press conferences against the Warriors, he stated that Auckland was like a second home to him. Maybe if Nathan takes a contract in the Super League (to be closer to his girlfriend), Ivan may well make the move to the club he played for and coached especially with other son in the ranks.

 

[Noitall]

That is a strong possibility. Having achieved so much at Penrith, he may consider it time to return to his old club as a mentor to AW. In one press conferences against the Warriors, he stated that Auckland was like a second home to him. Maybe if Nathan takes a contract in the Super League (to be closer to his girlfriend), Ivan may well make the move to the club he played for and coached especially with other son in the ranks.

He’s said recently that he doesn’t see himself coaching forever and these roles you mention are becoming an avenue these these elite coaches like Bellamy is rumoured to be doing at titans if it comes to fruition. I keep saying it and perhaps not a legitimate reason but I just can’t see Ivan wanting to be apart of one son’s journey and not the others? Could look at two ways and Ivan comes here or Jett goes there? Nothing guaranteed that he makes it either but the pedigree is definitely there

 

[Naynay]

Let's not throw the bank at a risky option no matter how sharp & good in clutch moments because on track record you wouldn't want to bet on more than 25 games in those 2 years.

I get what your saying but really at this point i dont even know if its a risk, throw 3 years big money, he’s probably 1 more big injury of medical retirement unfortunately

 

[Rick O’Shay]

it is a centre in union and he can play in the halves

2nd 5/8 in old speak. Back in the day they were another kicking option depending on how much space there was and pressure on the 1st 5/8th. Also was an option if you had a left and right foot kicker in those two positions.
Their main role though was to cart the ball into contact midfield and set up a ruck.

 

[Noitall]

2nd 5/8 in old speak. Back in the day they were another kicking option depending on how much space there was and pressure on the 1st 5/8th. Also was an option if you had a left and right foot kicker in those two positions.
Their main role though was to cart the ball into contact midfield and set up a ruck.

Jordie Barrett type player, bit of a playmaker that can take contact, distribute and kick if called upon. Inch looks very thick, this is going to be misconstrued in so many ways, his name certainly is open to many jokes. I look at his neck though and the strong farmer references makes sense. I don’t enough to comment from not seeing him apart from highlights and many others likely have a better judgement but my initial thoughts were centre and probably still are. I acknowledge too that many say it’s wasted position for his skills

 

[Ego sum deus tuus]

Jordie Barrett type player, bit of a playmaker that can take contact, distribute and kick if called upon. Inch looks very thick, this is going to be misconstrued in so many ways, his name certainly is open to many jokes. I look at his neck though and the strong farmer references makes sense. I don’t enough to comment from not seeing him apart from highlights and many others likely have a better judgement but my initial thoughts were centre and probably still are. I acknowledge too that many say it’s wasted position for his skills

So are you saying he is a cubic Inch then?

 

[CWC]

Give him an Inch and he’ll take a mile

 

[CWC]

A lot of second fives are first fives who can take on tough runs, Aaron Mauger, Matt Giteau…Dan Carter started as a second five too

With Inch’s size it’d be a waste not to play FB, he won’t get “rag dolled” like many are concerned about TT, should make meters and wrap on goal line D, we get playmaking out wide too. Unless he’s as slow as CNK lol

 

[Cces]

Another name can be added into the logjam of #6 options

 

[One Less Fin]

I think both Metcalfe and Healey will stay, I didn’t hear the SEN segment on Healey,however this is the 2nd club in a week to supposedly be linked to Healey. Where there is smoke there is fire. We can’t afford to lose him IMHO.

 

[WAH MAN]

A lot of second fives are first fives who can take on tough runs, Aaron Mauger, Matt Giteau…Dan Carter started as a second five too

With Inch’s size it’d be a waste not to play FB, he won’t get “rag dolled” like many are concerned about TT, should make meters and wrap on goal line D, we get playmaking out wide too. Unless he’s as slow as CNK lol

And he's still a pup in pup grade and doesn't have Leka looking readiness to put first grade on notice. I'm happy to let him have a go. That's all I see at the moment other than hyped up news stories.