Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

[Noitall]

TMM or Tuaupiki's effort at the end?

View: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aW3Y4rGyoySH934SdbAXa?si=b0-meuPGRjevne_XVeZlTQ

Perhaps it was Tuaupiki? I actually thought it was you who didn’t think much of TMM’s effort when they scored that match winner? Apologies if I’ve got that wrong

 

[Noitall]

This was obvious from the start and has really only gotten more obvious over time. RTS is our best back at any position, so should be in the most impactful position. If RTS was fullback we wouldn't be talking about CNK or TT coming in to replace him. Webby is a genius in some areas, but really naive in a few others which hopefully he's starting to work through. CNK is not some kind of generational talent that you just write off change for.

RTS should have come straight back in as full back, now the ships probably sailed and he'll finish things out at wing.

TT creates points out of no where, something our team has major issues with. He pulls all sorts of shit out of the hat that helps the attack. I'd really like to see CHT step up in that area next year, not over playing his hand but pushing things a bit unorthofox once or twice a game.

Meters can be gained elsewhere, especially when your backs are all big and slow. CNK is an absolute soldier for us, I will say that though. Dude goes SO hard.

Judging by the sentiment from posts, neither candidate of Tuaupiki or CNK is where we think we need be playing at fullback. Perhaps RTS does go to the back if AKP arrives and nobody goes? RTS fullback or wing is very similar, you’re not going to get a heap of try assists but the carries are the same. He’s just got less room on the wing and his broken field play would be devastating the way he’s attacking

 

[MrFrankWhite]

RTS isn’t here in 27 and there’s no guarantee he’s even here next year if he gets a better offer. Same with TMM.

Neither are serious options at FB apart from cover.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

RTS isn’t here in 27 and there’s no guarantee he’s even here next year if he gets a better offer. Same with TMM.

Neither are serious options at FB apart from cover.

Have to agree and RTS is just so similar to CNK with perhaps more yardage with less passing. Don't see TT as the answer either although he is a better eyes up player and positions himself well in defence. Hoping Linnane really does well in the preseason. If he takes the 6 easier to carry a workhorse fullback as we would have more speed and x factor in the team. If he takes the fullback role then we have better cover in the Centres since our current ones are made of glass.

 

[Playdaball]

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

4. KL
6 or 7. Metcalf
13. Clarke
12. Katoa
11. Leka
14. Nikorima (maybe)
15. Papali'l (killing it from the bench ATM)

 

[Boston Boy]

Yeah I’m not talk about when they were 16 year olds I’m talking about now.

but Pahulu was also an Auckland 100m champion with St Kents

I just think he just holds his weight better the more he develops

He was 23

 

[Cces]

4. KL
6 or 7. Metcalf
13. Clarke
12. Katoa
11. Leka
14. Nikorima (maybe)
15. Papali'l (killing it from the bench ATM)

Where's Walsh if we're getting the band back together?
My point is Metcalf doesn't come here for an opportunity in 2023 if Nikorima & SJ are our incumbent halves. Leka doesn't debut last year & Clarke isn't likely to join us for this seaon if we already have Katoa, Papali'i, Walker, Tohu, JFH, Niukore etc. etc. on the books

 

[snake77]

I know people would like to see us become predominantly a development club but it doesn't happen overnight. Kikau, Koroisau, Sorensen & Capewell were all imported & helped kickstart Penrith's success. Fullback is one glaring area we need to strengthen.

CNK is unlikely to replicate his career best form of 2023, or even 2019, again and while Tuaupiki looks good to the eyes on attack we actually produced more points per game in 2025 without him starting in the position (19 games at 21.3 ppg) than with him (6 games at 20 ppg). Defensively, when CNK started, we conceded 21.6 points per game though & with Tuaupiki it was 18.2. Overall a net positive of 1.8 ppg for him & -0.3 for CNK. In terms of strength of schedule, Tuaupiki played 34% of his Fullback games against playoff teams & CNK 42%.

Neither give me huge hope for 2026 & I wish both TMM & RTS were 4 years younger than they are so they could be realistic alternatives

Even if when we become a predominantly development focused club there will still be a need to recruit.

If it all goes according to plan the way I see it would be:

• Most years we pick up 1-2 players to fill out depth or fix up a weakness.
• Some years we may need to recruit a bit more as we wait for a few guys to be ready for first grade.

It will go in cycles. Ideally we get to a point we are consistent top 4 and need to find guys to get to the next level. We will also have years the depth gets recruited out from us and we need to recruit as we replenish out depth.

Penrith had their success off the back of development. It was off the back of a special group of players. Some years it might be just mean you have a competitive squad and a balanced cap. You then can recruit to round out the squad.

Hopefully we can get a group similar to Penrith and can nail the first premiership. Then Ideally back it up. Or at least we aren't looking at another 30 years.

 

[Dannevegas]

Have to agree and RTS is just so similar to CNK with perhaps more yardage with less passing. Don't see TT as the answer either although he is a better eyes up player and positions himself well in defence. Hoping Linnane really does well in the preseason. If he takes the 6 easier to carry a workhorse fullback as we would have more speed and x factor in the team. If he takes the fullback role then we have better cover in the Centres since our current ones are made of glass.

What’s with the RTS can’t pass retiric. His passing game’s quite calculated, and when there’s an option he usually makes the right decision. The difference between them as fullbacks is night and day.

 

[3rdstriker]

What’s with the RTS can’t pass retiric. His passing game’s quite calculated, and when there’s an option he usually makes the right decision. The difference between them as fullbacks is night and day.

This season though he very much was a one man band i thought, he did have a great year but i thought his distribution would've been far better this seson given webby had him earmarked as centre last year.

 

[Dannevegas]

This season though he very much was a one man band i thought, he did have a great year but i thought his distribution would've been far better this seson given webby had him earmarked as centre last year.

are you saying he didn’t pass? He was on the wing? And he made quite a few line break assists from the wing, like i said he makes the right choices when to pass to a player in a good position to receive.
One comes to mind when Leka made that awesome run on debut against the dogs, Roger skipped to the outside with a nice short ball to Leka and he’s away.
I’ve seen Charnze in that position quite a lot and he often stutters and takes the tackle.

I’m not saying Roger should be our Fullback next year the only reason I won’t is because it’s a taxing position and his age, but if Charnze is the alternative I’d be getting Roger ready for it in pre season.

If we can make it to the finals with most key players fit and this is our spine I’d back is in to go all the way.

1. Rts
6. Metcalf-Kicking duties
7. Martin
9. Egan/Healey

14. Healey/Cht

 

[Dannevegas]

Young and explosive backs. Can we get Tevita Naufahu, he’s in the mold of Mariner and Karapini. Kali’s not too far off them either

 

[3rdstriker]

are you saying he didn’t pass? He was on the wing? And he made quite a few line break assists from the wing, like i said he makes the right choices when to pass to a player in a good position to receive.
One comes to mind when Leka made that awesome run on debut against the dogs, Roger skipped to the outside with a nice short ball to Leka and he’s away.
I’ve seen Charnze in that position quite a lot and he often stutters and takes the tackle.

I’m not saying Roger should be our Fullback next year the only reason I won’t is because it’s a taxing position and his age, but if Charnze is the alternative I’d be getting Roger ready for it in pre season.

If we can make it to the finals with most key players fit and this is our spine I’d back is in to go all the way.

1. Rts
6. Metcalf-Kicking duties
7. Martin
9. Egan/Healey

14. Healey/Cht

I'm Not saying he didn’t pass or can't but the amount of times he busted through to have some support outside or inside him not to pass!
He's not the only one Charnze is also very one dimensional too.
Maybe it's a coach thing but it was noticeable particularly in the second half of the sesson.

 

[Worried2Death]

This season though he very much was a one man band i thought, he did have a great year but i thought his distribution would've been far better this seson given webby had him earmarked as centre last year.

I see it's the Roger to fullback stage of the offseason again, so it begins. Now you mention it, maybe we should try him at centre again...?

 

[3rdstriker]

Maybe we should try him at centre again... I see it's that point of the offseason again, so it begins.

Could do but We gotta spice things up, one out runs from charnze rts with or without support is so scintillating to watch eh?

 

[CWC]

are you saying he didn’t pass? He was on the wing? And he made quite a few line break assists from the wing, like i said he makes the right choices when to pass to a player in a good position to receive.
One comes to mind when Leka made that awesome run on debut against the dogs, Roger skipped to the outside with a nice short ball to Leka and he’s away.
I’ve seen Charnze in that position quite a lot and he often stutters and takes the tackle.

I’m not saying Roger should be our Fullback next year the only reason I won’t is because it’s a taxing position and his age, but if Charnze is the alternative I’d be getting Roger ready for it in pre season.

If we can make it to the finals with most key players fit and this is our spine I’d back is in to go all the way.

1. Rts
6. Metcalf-Kicking duties
7. Martin
9. Egan/Healey

14. Healey/Cht

I don’t get why it’s an issue when the winger doesn’t pass What?
I’d totally play him at FB given we are about to sign AKP
The reason I prefer not rn is purely due to his age risking multiple hammy injuries when we know he can produce another dally m-ish caliber wing season
But honestly we have a Jonah Lomu syndrome here, ask any Aussie pundit and fan who you’d prefer NOT to have running at you from FB - CNK, TT or Roger

We all know which one makes them shit their pants

Why pass when you can do this?


View: https://www.tiktok.com/@nrl/video/7352400096811666694

 

[Dannevegas]

I'm Not saying he didn’t pass or can't but the amount of times he busted through to have some support outside or inside him not to pass!
He's not the only one Charnze is also very one dimensional too.
Maybe it's a coach thing but it was noticeable particularly in the second half of the sesson.

Support? Where? Our team is notorious for not supporting everyone’s too slow lol, or to in their role setting up for the next play, doubt there was any

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I'm Not saying he didn’t pass or can't but the amount of times he busted through to have some support outside or inside him not to pass!
He's not the only one Charnze is also very one dimensional too.
Maybe it's a coach thing but it was noticeable particularly in the second half of the sesson.

When RTS was fullback he played a similar role to CNK and had the same criticism. Workaholic meter eater that never chimed in on attack and when he did he played similar to at centre last year and was ineffective.

He had the giant step early in his career but later, it seemed to become less effective and he stopped being able to break tackles.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

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?

Or, are Ivan & Nathan coming to the Wahs in 2027/2028 for Nathan to partner Jett in the halves.

 

[3rdstriker]

Support? Where? Our team is notorious for not supporting everyone’s too slow lol, or to in their role setting up for the next play, doubt there was any

There was plenty of support but due to so much tunnel vision they all probably dropped off.