Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

[Ever Hopeful]

I have seen some say it would be foolish to release DWZ without proven depth in the squad, and on one hand I agree. On the other, if he is on even 2/3 of what the Zero Tackle top earners say he is (I'm dubious), the club would be foolish to keep him if there are any other suitors available.

I'd be trying to cash him out and get lucky with an offseason replacement (which backfired this year).

 

[JaggedJ]

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.

Doubt he will be with us next year. Could easily find a Sydney club that could give him the same game time and a less crowded path to FG.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Looks like the Crusaders are getting salty lol

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Wrighty]

Here is chat GPT's injury recovery timeline for Barney and Luke
Luke will miss the start of 2026 if AI is to be believed. Would the Dragons or anyone want him for 2026? Maybe all the offers will be for 2027?

Injury timelines​

Typical ACL recovery:

• Return to play: 9–12 months (depending on surgery type, rehab, and player position).
• Clubs sometimes allow earlier contact training around 7–8 months, but full NRL readiness is closer to 9+ months.

---

Mitch Barnett​

• Injury date: Round 13 – 1 June 2025
• 9 months post-injury: 1 March 2026
• 10 months post-injury: 1 April 2026

NRL 2026 pre-season (trial) games:

• Likely held mid-February to early March 2026
  (usually two trials in the last 2–3 weekends before Round 1)

Projection:

• Barnett might participate lightly in the second trial (late February) if his rehab goes perfectly, but the club will probably hold him back for Round 1 or 2.
• A safe, realistic return window: Round 1–3 (early to mid-March 2026).

---

Luke Metcalf​

• Injury date: Round 17 – 28 June 2025
• 9 months post-injury: 28 March 2026
• 10 months post-injury: 28 April 2026

That puts him:

• Unavailable for both pre-season trials (February 2026)
• Likely returning around Round 5–8 (April–May 2026) depending on rehab pace and match fitness.

Projection:

• Best-case: Round 5
• Typical case: Round 6–8
• Conservative club approach: maybe after Magic Round (mid-May)

---

Summary Table​

Player	Injury Date	9-Month Mark	Likely First Game Back	Notes
Mitch Barnett	1 June 2025	1 Mar 2026	Round 1–3 (Mar 2026)	Could feature in late trial if recovery ideal
Luke Metcalf	28 June 2025	28 Mar 2026	Round 5–8 (Apr–May 2026)	Misses trials, slow build-up to full fitness

---

 

[Ever Hopeful]

The article mention's Inch being developed at 12, but I don't know if that means a league 2nd Rower or union speak for inside centre (Standoff/centre)

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

The article mention's Inch being developed at 12, but I don't know if that means a league 2nd Rower or union speak for inside centre (Standoff/centre)

Also being developed at 12 which is more a Centre. That's how Dan Carter started in Super Rugby and the All blacks.

 

[sup42]

Looks like the Crusaders are getting salty lol

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Kinda cool how this dude can't bring himself to name our sport in 2025 he still employs that snobbish elitist attitude calling it 'that other code'.

And that is why your sport is dying, because you can't open your mind to a world of different flavors, and thereby your youth culture cannot relate to you anymore.

 

[SJ2k]

I have seen some say it would be foolish to release DWZ without proven depth in the squad, and on one hand I agree. On the other, if he is on even 2/3 of what the Zero Tackle top earners say he is (I'm dubious), the club would be foolish to keep him if there are any other suitors available.

I'd be trying to cash him out and get lucky with an offseason replacement (which backfired this year).

Has to be taken in the context of where can we actually spend that cash? We're the black sheep of recruitment and there's just very limited options. Especially with the expansion teams diluting talent further. Anyone decent who comes onto the market will generally upgrade 12+ teams in the NRL so we have almost no shot unless they're a homesick kiwi.

We should have plenty of cash already considering how many big salaries we lost at the end of 24 + Walker.

 

[kos]

Doubt he will be with us next year. Could easily find a Sydney club that could give him the same game time and a less crowded path to FG.

Didnt some one say (Hansen) he was on the same bus
As Bunty Tom Tobias and Kalani?

 

[Garry Saloon]

Here is chat GPT's injury recovery timeline for Barney and Luke
Luke will miss the start of 2026 if AI is to be believed. Would the Dragons or anyone want him for 2026? Maybe all the offers will be for 2027?

Injury timelines​

Typical ACL recovery:

• Return to play: 9–12 months (depending on surgery type, rehab, and player position).
• Clubs sometimes allow earlier contact training around 7–8 months, but full NRL readiness is closer to 9+ months.

---

Mitch Barnett​

• Injury date: Round 13 – 1 June 2025
• 9 months post-injury: 1 March 2026
• 10 months post-injury: 1 April 2026

NRL 2026 pre-season (trial) games:

• Likely held mid-February to early March 2026
  (usually two trials in the last 2–3 weekends before Round 1)

Projection:

• Barnett might participate lightly in the second trial (late February) if his rehab goes perfectly, but the club will probably hold him back for Round 1 or 2.
• A safe, realistic return window: Round 1–3 (early to mid-March 2026).

---

Luke Metcalf​

• Injury date: Round 17 – 28 June 2025
• 9 months post-injury: 28 March 2026
• 10 months post-injury: 28 April 2026

That puts him:

• Unavailable for both pre-season trials (February 2026)
• Likely returning around Round 5–8 (April–May 2026) depending on rehab pace and match fitness.

Projection:

• Best-case: Round 5
• Typical case: Round 6–8
• Conservative club approach: maybe after Magic Round (mid-May)

---

Summary Table​

Player	Injury Date	9-Month Mark	Likely First Game Back	Notes
Mitch Barnett	1 June 2025	1 Mar 2026	Round 1–3 (Mar 2026)	Could feature in late trial if recovery ideal
Luke Metcalf	28 June 2025	28 Mar 2026	Round 5–8 (Apr–May 2026)	Misses trials, slow build-up to full fitness

---

Why would you use Chat GPT? Unreliable. Just go to the Warriors website.

 

[Noitall]

Kinda cool how this dude can't bring himself to name our sport in 2025 he still employs that snobbish elitist attitude calling it 'that other code'.

And that is why your sport is dying, because you can't open your mind to a world of different flavors, and thereby your youth culture cannot relate to you anymore.

NZ rugby needs to pull their head out of their arse and recognise that the All Black jersey isn’t going to keep everyone and and players deserve to take the best offer on the table. Charles Piutau was one to turn his back and sign overseas and it’s been to the detriment of the All Blacks that they haven’t had Richie Mounga over the past few seasons

 

[Wrighty]

Why would you use Chat GPT? Unreliable. Just go to the Warriors website.

I have been there just now and can't locate the information. Do you have a specific link?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

So all the talk about Metcalf early release is based on a poster from another forum saying he hopes the Dragons get him, and then saying he hopes that he gets an early release due to the warriors 'strength' in the halves. OK.

Everyone is regurgitating what that guy on the bye round podcast said. A few podcasts/videos/tiktoks have been created off that, and then posters saying they heard it from this other new source too. lol

Long offseason incoming.

Imagine if other forums took this forum literally

 

[Riz]

Imagine if other forums took this forum literally

League "journalists" seem to...

 

[tajhay]

Imagine if other forums took this forum literally

Dragons Forum - 'I saw a source on NZ Warriors forum saying Metcalf will be released early and they are not happy. Good times! Do Drags! Slayyyy'

And so the circle of life continues.

edit - and for some reason some people think that this is the official side for the nz warriors (theirs obviously is warriors.kiwi). The site gets atleast a couple of emails asking for a signed jersey for fundraising, request for players to visit schools type requests a week. Sometimes heated exchanges about membership or tickets lol....never respond and these are supposedly warriors fans. Can only wonder what fans of other nrl teams think about what gets posted on here lol

 

[Wrighty]

I know I have been quoted on other forums.

 

[tajhay]

I have been there just now and can't locate the information. Do you have a specific link?

Casualty Ward

Check the Official NRL Casualty Ward, which players are injured, and who is expected to make their way back onto the field and in the game.

www.nrl.com

or just look on the sidebar on the main page of the forum - thanks for the idea (refreshed every day from the main source so will be latest info)

 

[Wrighty]

Casualty Ward

Check the Official NRL Casualty Ward, which players are injured, and who is expected to make their way back onto the field and in the game.

www.nrl.com

or just look on the sidebar on the main page of the forum - thanks for the idea (refreshed every day from the main source so will be latest info)

View attachment 14736

No
I am not happy with this answer even though I appreciate the attempt to give me an answer.
He said that site had accurate dates for which round Barnett and Metcalf would return as opposed to just "Next Season"
I searched the site and there was no forecaste.
As it stands my estimate of round one Barnett and Round 6-8 for Metcalf us the only intelligence we have.

 

[tajhay]

No
I am not happy with this answer even though I appreciate the attempt to give me an answer.
He said that site had accurate dates for which round Barnett and Metcalf would return as opposed to just "Next Season"
I searched the site and there was no forecaste.
As it stands my estimate of round one Barnett and Round 6-8 for Metcalf us the only intelligence we have.

Noone including chatgpt would be able to give you a decent estimated return date. Healing and getting back to return to first grade is on an individual level. Then there are healing complications on top of that. Jahrome Hughes fractured his forearm was playing in a few weeks whilst a reference guide would tell you 6-12 weeks.

Players would continuously be accessed and the closest actual timeframe is posted on there. You are free to make your guesses, but that is exactly what they are.

 

[Wrighty]

Noone including chatgpt would be able to give you a decent estimated return date. Healing and getting back to return to first grade is on an individual level. Then there are healing complications on top of that. Jahrome Hughes fractured his forearm was playing in a few weeks whilst a reference guide would tell you 6-12 weeks.

Players would continuously be accessed and the closest actual timeframe is posted on there. You are free to make your guesses, but that is exactly what they are.

I should have stressed it is a wild guess. I find wild guesses useful. Others may not find them helpful and want something more substantive which won't come out to February probably.