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: 21/30
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

 

[CWC]

With thoughts around developing Bishop Neal’s athleticism, a recent article I read about Payne Haas was his father

 

[CWC]

Erin was our best player overall this year, so if in his current form he gets pushed out, we're doing some fantastic work. Very hard done by to not get the Simon Mannering, I doubt he's a primadonna like AFB though.

Would be great if we could move him to prop, we really need some ball playing at 13. Obviously the plan was rotating him with Walker until Walker moved on leaving us in the lurch. Clarke at prop massively helps our depth there, even if he also fills in at 13. Do we think anyone is capable of starting at 13 next year or will it need to be him again next year? Running effectively 3 prop middles with an incredibly budget spine was understandable this year because of Walker, but we've got to get away from it next year.

Development looks great by all means. I imagine the club is throwing decent offers around at free agents with no bites so far. We'd only need to hit on one or two Herbie Farnworth's by 2027 and the window will be about as open as it'll get.

I have Fish/Barney/Clark x first and last 25min
Ford/Demi/Gannon x 15 before and after HT to up the ante and ball play

Gannon replaces Leka for the last 25
Every forward gets 30-55min bar Cape playing 80

1st drop Laban-EIT then TSS-Marata
Fats 2nd row after Laban/EIT, and a couple of props to debut when ready/required

Looks like we are pretty good in the pack for the next decade with the pipeline and system in place

 

[snake77]

Speaking of....Leeds got knocked out in an eliminator vs Saints which ended in a thriller with a crazy try for Saints reminiscent of the 2000s Warriors sides.

Gannon should be fresh and ready to go for preseason.

I saw that try on one of the Matty Johns shows. Crazy from one side to the other.

I've also seen talk of the English squad. But can't see it anywhere. Would expect it to be named after the competition completes unless they name players as their teams are eliminated.

Is Gannon likely to make the English side?
If he makes it, it's good to pick up an international. If he doesn't he gets over here early for a full pre season to get ready for his first NRL season.

 

[sup42]

I saw that try on one of the Matty Johns shows. Crazy from one side to the other.

I've also seen talk of the English squad. But can't see it anywhere. Would expect it to be named after the competition completes unless they name players as their teams are eliminated.

Is Gannon likely to make the English side?
If he makes it, it's good to pick up an international. If he doesn't he gets over here early for a full pre season to get ready for his first NRL season.

I would be surprised if Gannon made the final seventeen for England, given the depth of forwards they have and he isn't even the lead forward at his club.

It would be like Dimitric making the Kiwis.

 

[snake77]

I would be surprised if Gannon made the final seventeen for England, given the depth of forwards they have and he isn't even the lead forward at his club, rather several rungs down the ladder.

It would be like Dimitric making the Kiwis.

I wasn't thinking the 17. More the wider squad.

Just checked he was in the England Knights in a previous year not in the main side. Makes sense with his age and having the year off recovering from head knocks. Thought I saw he was in the side in the past or talked about potentially making it.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I would be surprised if Gannon made the final seventeen for England, given the depth of forwards they have and he isn't even the lead forward at his club.

It would be like Dimitric making the Kiwis.

Tell you what, if we could fast track him in now so he couldn't play for Samoa or Tonga I'd do that right now haha

 

[Cces]

I've also seen talk of the English squad. But can't see it anywhere.

Here's the 32 man train on squad that was released mid year. Doesn't include NRL forwards like Smithies & Nicholson so he may only be an outside chance.

England Train-On Squad Announced for 2025 Rugby League Ashes Series - Rugby League Zone

England's Ashes Preparation Begins with Star-Studded Train-On Squad England Rugby League has officially named a 32-man train-on squad as preparations

rugbyleaguezone.com

 

[WHB]

Tell you what, if we could fast track him in now so he couldn't play for Samoa or Tonga I'd do that right now haha

I've thought about that and had to see it from an Island perspective.

It's irritating because they are so talented.

If you look at a rugby league team line up in the national premiere competition ,70% of the names will be Island,not māori ,pakeha or anyone else.

From my experience,islanders live pretty traditional in the home.
There heritage is well kept.
You dont come across many brothers who dont speak there reo.

So when choosing heritage over the nation they live in away from the islands.
I see why islanders are proud to represent.

Especially myself being māori.
If Aotearoa māori were an eligible nation,I would choose the Aotearoa jersey .
Just thankful its not in the equation internationally.

It's tough for these island brothers to decide.
Just know NZ wants to help the islands grow the game.
Now they are nearly there.
Thought Aussie were on the same wagon but used Origin to there advantage until now.

It's annoying for me seeing brothers go through our pathways and not play Kiwis.

The Kiwi's will come out worse from this.

But because of my māori view i cant be a hypocrite so i reluctantly see there's.

Sorry for the novel on the wrong section.
Feel free to move it,just a follow up on a reply and something I wanted to express for a while.

 

[Ego sum deus tuus]

By developing the majority of their players, building loyalty, having great facilities/stadiums. Players sign for less to play for good teams. But these clubs have also lost great players due to salary cap constraints - Herbie, Tino, etc.

Life’s not one big conspiracy like some on here want to believe.

I don't know man a few people saying you might be a plant from the Broncos forums , thats why they closed it to members only so no one sees similar posts and puts two and two together.

 

[WAH MAN]

By developing the majority of their players, building loyalty, having great facilities/stadiums. Players sign for less to play for good teams. But these clubs have also lost great players due to salary cap constraints - Herbie, Tino, etc.

Life’s not one big conspiracy like some on here want to believe.

Oh does that mean we're just a stink club?

 

[Leon Black]

When did he cop a spray for too many offloads? Last i remember was his interview with SJ which came out about a month after that game.

SJ - "So what's the licensing around offloading?"
Vaimaunga - "Rich is in charge of that, and he said he isn't gonna stop us from offloading. Like it's gotta be measured obivously. There was one stuff up during the bunnies game. And they said i've just gotta pick the right time and place. But nah, they've just given me the free license"
Source.

I don't get the vibe that the coaching staff are laying into em for playing attacking footy. But i can sorta see that it feels like it isn't exactly encourged.

When SJ had those Warrior TV interviews in a laundry mat or on Fox. It was just after that game.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Looking even further out
8. Demetric Vaimauga
9. Sam Healey
10. Jacob Laban
11. Leka Halasima
12. Bishop Neal
13. Paea Sikuvea

14. Braelan Marsh
15. Emosi Ravosai
16. Jason Salalilo
17. Kayliss Fatialofa

19. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
20. Tepatasi Laumalili
21. Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea

(forwards coming up and on the fringes; Lennox Tuiloma, Dezman Laban, Gordon Afoa, Elijah Solomona, Satali Fretton, Krushil Koteka)

Definitely a bit of a squeeze coming through and I doubt we will be able to keep all of them (or does someone like Erin Clark get forced out?)
Vaimauga replaces JFH as our forwards leader (and maybe eventual captain?)
I think Bishop might struggle with work rate at prop. Easily big enough but still a highlights player at this point. A more skilled Kikau is great comparison for play style.

I cant see Toeava regression there.

 

[Five&Last]

I cant see Toeava regression there.

Who have ya got him over

I should have him on the bench over Ravosai tbf.

Just needs to show he can consistently get yardage in the middle imo. Few extra kg of size wouldn't hurt.

If not, theres some more naturally talented players he’ll have to beat out in the second row, which is still certainly possible

 

[Dannevegas]

Mellers ability in the air is the obvious selling point on him. It's a different ball game when you have a Coates or Tupou on one flank.

No idea if he can get even halfway to them, but it would be nice to have an aerial threat not named Leka.

Berry, Ali, and Kali can't stay healthy. Very frustrating that our Zeisty Boys are getting let down by our Broken Bros otherwise we'd have a lot more attacking firepower to work with.

We need a back version of the zesty boys ay. Leiataua, Kali…need some more. Norris

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I don't know man a few people saying you might be a plant from the Broncos forums , thats why they closed it to members only so no one sees similar posts and puts two and two together.

As I was saying re conspiracies…

 

[Brightman]

I've thought about that and had to see it from an Island perspective.

It's irritating because they are so talented.

If you look at a rugby league team line up in the national premiere competition ,70% of the names will be Island,not māori ,pakeha or anyone else.

From my experience,islanders live pretty traditional in the home.
There heritage is well kept.
You dont come across many brothers who dont speak there reo.

So when choosing heritage over the nation they live in away from the islands.
I see why islanders are proud to represent.

Especially myself being māori.
If Aotearoa māori were an eligible nation,I would choose the Aotearoa jersey .
Just thankful its not in the equation internationally.

It's tough for these island brothers to decide.
Just know NZ wants to help the islands grow the game.
Now they are nearly there.
Thought Aussie were on the same wagon but used Origin to there advantage until now.

It's annoying for me seeing brothers go through our pathways and not play Kiwis.

The Kiwi's will come out worse from this.

But because of my māori view i cant be a hypocrite so i reluctantly see there's.

Sorry for the novel on the wrong section.
Feel free to move it,just a follow up on a reply and something I wanted to express for a while.

Well the Aussies have a rule that if you arrive and start playing league after the age of 16 you are ineligible for Kangaroos selection, a similar rule would serve the NZRL and the Pacific nations well.
However, there is always the exception to the rule and that is choice based on heritage e.g. Casey McLean.

But choosing NZ māori (if in fantasyland they're eligible) over the Kiwis is absurd and somewhat racist..

 

[Boats n Hoes]

But choosing NZ māori (if in fantasyland they're eligible) over the Kiwis is absurd and somewhat racist..

Not that absurd because it happens/ed....regulary.

Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai, Dylan Walker, Jesse Arthurs, James Tamou, Jack Howarth and probably more.......have all put their hands up for NZ māori, while turning down the Kiwi's for the Aussies or S.O.O. I dont think its racist if their born/bought up over in Oz and want to play for those teams while still representing their māori heritage......i mean id love for them all to choose the Kiwis but the reality is that aint gonna happen.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Who have ya got him over

I should have him on the bench over Ravosai tbf.

Just needs to show he can consistently get yardage in the middle imo. Few extra kg of size wouldn't hurt.

If not, theres some more naturally talented players he’ll have to beat out in the second row, which is still certainly possible

Right Centre for me. Or he takes Fatialofas place and Fatialofa plays centre.

 

[j_p]

Anyone able to unlock this article. relates to jett cleary

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[Horriors2013]

I've thought about that and had to see it from an Island perspective.

It's irritating because they are so talented.

If you look at a rugby league team line up in the national premiere competition ,70% of the names will be Island,not māori ,pakeha or anyone else.

From my experience,islanders live pretty traditional in the home.
There heritage is well kept.
You dont come across many brothers who dont speak there reo.

So when choosing heritage over the nation they live in away from the islands.
I see why islanders are proud to represent.

Especially myself being māori.
If Aotearoa māori were an eligible nation,I would choose the Aotearoa jersey .
Just thankful its not in the equation internationally.

It's tough for these island brothers to decide.
Just know NZ wants to help the islands grow the game.
Now they are nearly there.
Thought Aussie were on the same wagon but used Origin to there advantage until now.

It's annoying for me seeing brothers go through our pathways and not play Kiwis.

The Kiwi's will come out worse from this.

But because of my māori view i cant be a hypocrite so i reluctantly see there's.

Sorry for the novel on the wrong section.
Feel free to move it,just a follow up on a reply and something I wanted to express for a while.

It's obvious that Australia think that league belongs to them. They get Kotoni. Everyone else squabbles for the rest. NZ gets diluted the most. International league loses.