From a Herald premium article
The chances of Nelson Asofa-Solomona ending up at the Warriors next season are slim.
The Auckland club has been linked with the Kiwis enforcer, who is currently a free agent, after being released from the final two years of his Melbourne Storm contract last month.
There is definite interest... from the Warriors, who feel that the imposing middle forward could be a good fit within their current roster. They have one spot open for 2026 and there have been discussions with Asofa-Solomona’s representatives.
But it remains an unlikely scenario, mainly due to financial reasons.
The club believe the 29-year-old would be a good addition, while the presence of such a big body would alleviate the early season absence of
Mitch Barnett and take the pressure off the co-captain with his comeback from the ACL injury sustained in round 14 last year.
Such a move might also work for Asofa-Solomona, who has lived in Australia for almost half his life. A proud Kiwi, he could reconnect with his roots and would likely become a cult hero among the Warriors fanbase.
But the Warriors simply won’t be able to match what he will be offered elsewhere, because of cap space.
Asofa-Solomona may be willing to take a lower salary than the reported A$850,000 ($978,000) he was on at the Storm, especially as he received a pay-out from the Victorian club for the final 24 months of his contract.
But other clubs have a lot more room to move, especially the cashed-up Eels, while at least two other Sydney teams are understood to be interested in Asofa-Solomona.
The Warriors already have a lot invested in their pack, particularly with
James Fisher-Harris,
Mitch Barnett,
Wayde Egan and
Marata Niukore.
Leka Halasima signed a new deal last season, while
Erin Clark is in line for an upgrade, off the back of his performances in 2025. Then there is
Demetric Vaimauga and
Jacob Laban, whose respective values will only increase.
So there isn’t much left over, which means Asofa-Solomona would have to be attracted for other reasons, like family, living in Auckland and being part of the Warriors project under
Andrew Webster, as the club can’t pay him what he is worth on the open market.
Of course, it is still possible that Asofa-Solomona doesn’t play at all next year. The rumours about R360 continue – if that competition ever gets off the ground.
And, as he outlined to the Herald earlier this month, boxing appears to be a major passion, with the desire for a bout early next year.
Asofa-Solomona also admitted he could just take a year off, though a continuation of his NRL career appears the most likely outcome for 2026.
The club have also – again – been recently linked with Kalyn Ponga, after the Newcastle star was photographed chatting with Warrior’s recruitment manager
Andrew McFadden at the club’s sport bar, Full Time, in Kingsland earlier this month. However, there is nothing to it.
Ponga was there to record a podcast with former Kiwi
Sione Faumuina, while McFadden was watching the horse racing with some other Warriors staff and friends. A potential move to New Zealand just doesn’t stack up, even if Ponga seeks a release from his Knights contract, which runs until the end of 2027.
The club have invested in
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad over the next two seasons and also have great faith in
Taine Tuaupiki.
But most importantly, there isn’t the money available, for Ponga, who is on a reported A$1.4 million ($1.61m) annually at the Knights. It would require a significant reshaping of their cap priorities – and the release of some important players – which the Warriors have shown no desire to do.
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
