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

 

[Dannevegas]

He's a first grader for sure. His path had just been delayed from injury

Panthers got a good one.

Would've liked for him to work his way back from a Train and Trial this year (i.e. take MGT's role on the roster and the Cup side).

He's a first grader for sure. His path had just been delayed from injury

Panthers got a good one.

Would've liked for him to work his way back from a Train and Trial this year (i.e. take MGT's role on the roster and the Cup side).

Where would’ve he fit in for us? Only seen him play a couple games, lowkey reminds of Bj leilua

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

You are to watch this video. Just do it. Watch this...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8qNMoV0Q60

Not wanting to be harsh but found it all fairly underwhelming.

 

[Wrighty]

He’s a quick thinker- reacts well to the defense.
Another preseason will do him the world of good.
Not sure why u posted it here

Because I felt it was pertinent to who our halves are in 2027 and flow on retention decisions
I feel that video Changes things ( on this forum and nowhere else )

 

[Five&Last]

Where would’ve he fit in for us? Only seen him play a couple games, lowkey reminds of Bj leilua

Yeah he probably doesn't when i think about it.

The club will want to give NSW cup opportunities to Putoko, Vake, Norris, Pasikala. And even Kahu Capper, who I don't particularly rate but the club must love something about him.

One thing I love about Moimoi is his passing to his winger. Rare to see such block of human with a great long pass on him. Super aggressive as well. Made some absolute belting hits in Flegg this year. But he does look to have lost a step of pace from the injuries or lack of game time.

 

[Five&Last]

Not wanting to be harsh but found it all fairly underwhelming.

I've been super critical of him this year. But even I'll admit he's put together a good highlights package this year.

We need to remember is he's a legit goal kicking 7. When was the last time we produced one of them? Metcalf doesn't count as I don't consider his goal kicking elite yet.

One thing I'll say is he won't be given any of those show and go opportunities at the next level. Even a lot of Nathan Cleary's historic moments have been show and go tries (i.e. 2023 GF) which clouds people's judgement on Nathan Cleary's ability to take over games. They expect him to do big things every time he's on the big stage (i.e. Origin) but he doesn't always have opportunities to do them. Which is why Reece Walsh is the superior player because he creates those opportunities.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I've been super critical of him this year. But even I'll admit he's put together a good highlights package this year.

We need to remember is he's a legit goal kicking 7. When was the last time we produced one of them? Metcalf doesn't count as I don't consider his goal kicking elite yet.

One thing I'll say is he won't be given any of those show and go opportunities at the next level. Even a lot of Nathan Cleary's historic moments have been show and go tries (i.e. 2023 GF) which clouds people's judgement on Nathan Cleary's ability to take over games. They expect him to do big things every time he's on the big stage (i.e. Origin) but he doesn't always have opportunities to do them. Which is why Reece Walsh is the superior player because he creates those opportunities.

Probably more the highlights package but it seemed highly selective to me. Who knows what he could develop into, on the one hand he’s 20 & not a first choice reserve grade starting half for us, but then there’s plenty of great halves that took a bit longer to develop. Hope he takes the step & does so with us.

 

[Cces]

We need to remember is he's a legit goal kicking 7. When was the last time we produced one of them? Metcalf doesn't count as I don't consider his goal kicking elite yet.

Jett only kicked at 63% in NSW Cup & 73% in Flegg. He ain't no sharpshooter

 

[Sammyw]

I might be the minority but I’m all on board for NAS. We lack a monster that can bash teams, as long as the price is reasonable then it’s low risk.

Vaimauga
NAS
Niukore/Laban

Is a destructive bench

 

[sup42]

Do they actually have a source or are they joining the dots from this Herald article? Like I'm about to do.

“Nothing is off the table. I just need a bit of time off,” he said via The New Zealand Herald over the weekend.
“[It's been] a crazy last couple of years, I just need to find a bit of joy back into my game. If I were to stay in rugby league, I would probably try to find a place where I can enjoy my football again.
"I've got a lot to give, I still believe my best years are in front of me. I just need to find a place that can unlock that.
“I was even looking at having a full year off and just focusing on my mental health. We're living in a different age of phones and everything, it's really frying everyone's [brains] and dopamine receptors… so just to get away.”

If there is something to this. Like others have posted. Likely someone needs to move on. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a bit going on there.

The quotes about enjoying the game and wanting to find somewhere to enjoy his football, get the best out of him. That is something the current Warriors setup has been good at. Worth mentioning at praising since the opposite has often been the case.

If they have made an offer now that he has been released. It might not be a bad thing instead of trying to get the Storm to pay some of the freight and making it difficult. Come back later and deal on your own terms. There might also be something with him being in the Kiwis setup and talking to some of the Warriors guys.

Could also be it's the offseason and sites are squeezing out content now things have slowed down.

Interesting he talks about problems related to being online.

This guy seems prone to being Red pilled, I have not forgotten his need to be online telling people he is not getting vaccinated.

Don't get distracted by Covid politics, rather look at the broader picture, the Storm do not want him around their players anymore, and they are thee "get the best out of people and set the right culture" experts of the NRL.

He has literally been dumped by a system that has been keeping a lid on his impulsive and outspoken persona for his whole career....in other words, all the talk about the Warriors fixing him has been tried by the Storm before they saw the light and cut the chord.

I think he could be a complete disaster in our set up. A terrible signing, he has no natural affinity for being part of the Warriors.

But hey, they could sign him and have him on a tight leash as a project and I would be ok with that, provided they told him in no uncertain terms, first sign of trouble you are gone son.

But I would hate for him to get in the ear of some of the young players with his politics, whatever they are and bring that online shit into the Warriors circle.

 

[Noitall]

Interesting he talks about problems related to being online.

This guy seems prone to being Red pilled, I have not forgotten his need to be online telling people he is not getting vaccinated.

Don't get distracted by Covid politics, rather look at the broader picture, the Storm do not want him around their players anymore, and they are thee "get the best out of people and set the right culture" experts of the NRL.

He has literally been dumped by a system that has been keeping a lid on his impulsive and outspoken persona for his whole career....in other words, all the talk about the Warriors fixing him has been tried by the Storm before they saw the light and cut the chord.

I think he could be a complete disaster in our set up. A terrible signing, he has no natural affinity for being part of the Warriors.

But hey, they could sign him and have him on a tight leash as a project and I would be ok with that, provided they told him in no uncertain terms, first sign of trouble you are gone son.

But I would hate for him to get in the ear of some of the young players with his politics, whatever they are and bring that online shit into the Warriors circle.

Reading an article about his unlikely friendship with Papenhuyzen the other day, it sounds like Papenhuyzen will take some time away from sport in general by the sounds? Some will say in waiting for r360 to start, but it sounds like the storm in general is a demanding place. I could imagine that Bellamy is a hard taskmaster, but players like Brandon Smith since leaving show that kind of environment could be necessary for some players? I’m probably reading too much into his comments about not being used properly at storm and such things but it gives me the impression he’s been told this and also the finding the love of it again etc. I think people like Kai Kara France and our affiliation with city gym would be huge for his fitness and our family environment around the club could see him thrive

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ0-R7lEm9s/

Really love to see the connection in this Kiwi team and it reminds me of the Warriors with how the players really care for one another. I put a great post about NAS in the nrl recruitment thread recently off an eels forum and up in the top left corner it looks like NAS has taken Xavier Willison under his wing. I think it’s underestimated the leadership factor he could bring too

 

[Dannevegas]

Interesting he talks about problems related to being online.

This guy seems prone to being Red pilled, I have not forgotten his need to be online telling people he is not getting vaccinated.

Don't get distracted by Covid politics, rather look at the broader picture, the Storm do not want him around their players anymore, and they are thee "get the best out of people and set the right culture" experts of the NRL.

He has literally been dumped by a system that has been keeping a lid on his impulsive and outspoken persona for his whole career....in other words, all the talk about the Warriors fixing him has been tried by the Storm before they saw the light and cut the chord.

I think he could be a complete disaster in our set up. A terrible signing, he has no natural affinity for being part of the Warriors.

But hey, they could sign him and have him on a tight leash as a project and I would be ok with that, provided they told him in no uncertain terms, first sign of trouble you are gone son.

But I would hate for him to get in the ear of some of the young players with his politics, whatever they are and bring that online shit into the Warriors circle.

Don’t see what his political views have to do with anything.
And was obviously right in his vaccine stance anyway.

I think he just lacks discipline and the motor to be a real asset to a side.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Don’t see what his political views have to do with anything.
And was obviously right in his vaccine stance anyway.

I think he just lacks discipline and the motor to be a real asset to a side.

What do you mean obviously right in his vaccine stance?

 

[Five&Last]

Wouldn't take NAS for anything more than 170k.

Gonna cost us 200k-250k to buy out Lussick to clear the roster spot

Then you've just put 400k of the cap towards getting NAS.

For anything more, I would almost just rather just give opportunities to Salalilo and RTV.

NAS is past it and has no discipline. He'll have R360 on his mind the whole time he's here. The game has moved past plodding big men like him. He looked so unimpressive in that first Kiwis game.

 

[Five&Last]

Jett only kicked at 63% in NSW Cup & 73% in Flegg. He ain't no sharpshooter

40 / 55 in Flegg this year, which is the larger sample size, isn't terrible. Albeit not great

I seem to remember him banging a lot of sideline ones, so either he's missing a lot of sitters or he's just getting a lot of shit looks in general

Regardless, when was the last competent goal kicking half we've produced? Shaun Johnson hit 70% throughout NYC

Maybe Harry Inch can be the first actually elite goal kicking half we produce.

The other Nelson half Makea kicks goals too, unsure how good he is.

Jack Thompson, Jye Linnane, Tyson Hansen, Hinckley Ioka are all non-goal kickers