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	✔​	✔​	✔​
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: 29/30
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

 

[Billyspleen75]

Now that R360 is temporarily dead, the question is what does RTS do in 2027? He'll be 33 in June 2026.

I don't really want to have DWZ and RTS and AKP as our wingers for 2027 as I'm hoping Mellars or Kali are ready by then

 

[Noitall]

He is a ball running 9 who always backs himself when he sees half an opportunity. That's something we've been missing imo. No doubt he is far from the finished product: he needs work on his passing/service to his halves. I still remember that awful ball he gave to Boyd in that Phins game that gave away a penalty and the crucial field possession that cost us that game. We win that game, we more than likely finish the season in the 4.

Interesting watching the knights forum who are desperate for a dummy half. They were watching Healey when that rumour about bulldogs was floating around a few months ago, but now Egan has come onto their radar with Egan’s brother Tallan heading there. Think it was probably Peter O Sullivan who brought Egan to Warriors, who’s now at knights?

 

[The Undertaker]

Interesting watching the knights forum who are desperate for a dummy half. They were watching Healey when that rumour about bulldogs was floating around a few months ago, but now Egan has come onto their radar with Egan’s brother Tallan heading there. Think it was probably Peter O Sullivan who brought Egan to Warriors, who’s now at knights?

Wayde isn’t going anywhere. Tallinn going to try get a shot speaks more to our depth… which is the exciting bit. You keep the elite youngsters and some won’t be patient enough to stay and fight for a spot. It’s good news for us - maybe we WILL be that powerhouse club in a year or three.

Ivan coming in as Warriors GM in 2027 to replace CG in a Phil Gould like role when Nath has a gap year to spend some time with ‘there’s something about Mary’ whilst becoming Australian or Blues coach seems plausible.

 

[Noitall]

Wayde isn’t going anywhere. Tallinn going to try get a shot speaks more to our depth… which is the exciting bit. You keep the elite youngsters and some won’t be patient enough to stay and fight for a spot. It’s good news for us - maybe we WILL be that powerhouse club in a year or three.

Ivan coming in as Warriors GM in 2027 to replace CG in a Phil Gould like role when Nath has a gap year to spend some time with ‘there’s something about Mary’ whilst becoming Australian or Blues coach seems plausible.

Something late in the year seemed like it was a miss with Egan? Was obviously injury but he struggled with form too I think. It’s a tricky situation because we’ve got some great dummy halves coming through and Egan here until the end of 2027 is a bit of a wait for Healey. He could pick up a bench spot and we play 2 hookers, that was mainly how Healey was used for Newtown

 

[One Less Fin]

For me, this will be a watch this space. Usually where there is smoke there is fire. Looking at the knights forum from october there was considerable chat around Healy. This along with the bulldogs chat recently as well as the Sea eagles means there must be considerable interest out there for him. I agree he should be in our 17 each week and he must be looking at other opportunities. Egan's brother signing with the knights will be intriguing. What does this mean for Wade. I hope McFadden is watching all this closely.

 

[Naynay]

Something late in the year seemed like it was a miss with Egan? Was obviously injury but he struggled with form too I think. It’s a tricky situation because we’ve got some great dummy halves coming through and Egan here until the end of 2027 is a bit of a wait for Healey. He could pick up a bench spot and we play 2 hookers, that was mainly how Healey was used for Newtown

I think he has to go on the bench this year, atleast if we want any hope to keep him as a succession plan. I think it should be Egan starting and healy bench 26 and then 27 healy start Egan bench. Then we can have a look at form for Egan and if he wants to either return to Australia or stay on as the 14.

Im a big Egan fan and want him to stay but also if he wants an early release to go back i think we are in the position with healy to do it now but the club will need to make a call to entice healy to remain here past the current contract.

 

[Playdaball]

I reckon we’ll see some more movement to the roster at the Warriors in the next few months.
Maybe DWZ will follow the other boys and return home to Penrith LOL?
Seriously I’m not 100% sure what will happen but we still have 2 spots open in the top 30

 

[Cces]

we still have 2 spots open in the top 30

I see a lot of people suggesting that we have 2 spots & I believe that misconception is from the Warriorholic incorrectly stating EIT is on a Development deal, when he is top 30

Promising prospect Ieremia-Toeava extends contract

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has One New Zealand Warriors contract extended by two years to 2026.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I think he has to go on the bench this year, atleast if we want any hope to keep him as a succession plan. I think it should be Egan starting and healy bench 26 and then 27 healy start Egan bench. Then we can have a look at form for Egan and if he wants to either return to Australia or stay on as the 14.

Im a big Egan fan and want him to stay but also if he wants an early release to go back i think we are in the position with healy to do it now but the club will need to make a call to entice healy to remain here past the current contract.

I really like how when push came to shove in our do or die match V Penrith this year Webby had Healey on the bench this year. To me it shows that Webby sees him as an attacking threat moving forward.

Unfortunately with the amount of injuries to the team in that back half of the year, I don't think Webby was able to utilize Healey like he would have liked, needing to have TMM there for injury cover.

Hopefully we have a good start to the year injury wise and Healey can go on a bit of a run, playing consistent games and improving his minutes.

I don't ever wish for players to get injured, but if Egan was to have a 3 or 4 game injury lay off mid year it would be a great opportunity for Healey to step up and start for a few games, he's looked good in his limited opportunities.

I'm tipping a break out year for Healey

 

[Noitall]

Im a big Egan fan and want him to stay but also if he wants an early release to go back i think we are in the position with healy to do it now but the club will need to make a call to entice healy to remain here past the current contract.

It would be interesting to know Egan’s view of the Warriors keen on NAS and if he did join whether there’s any animosity of NAS’s filthy play landing on his head? You would imagine they’ve gauged players such as himself to see what they think? I’m keen on NAS joining but a spade as a spade, that was a shocker

 

[Billyspleen75]

It would be interesting to know Egan’s view of the Warriors keen on NAS and if he did join whether there’s any animosity of NAS’s filthy play landing on his head? You would imagine they’ve gauged players such as himself to see what they think? I’m keen on NAS joining but a spade as a spade, that was a shocker

Yeah they should run it by Egan.
I think Egan would know that NAS is a grub and at least it wasn't personal.
There's the story SJ shares about Will Chambers joining the Sharks after saying some awful personal stuff to the Sharks players while playing for the Storm. Apparently before Chambers came in, the Sharks senior players had to have a sit down and say "boys, we've got to let go of some shit here"

 

[ndp26]

I see a lot of people suggesting that we have 2 spots & I believe that misconception is from the Warriorholic incorrectly stating EIT is on a Development deal, when he is top 30

Promising prospect Ieremia-Toeava extends contract

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has One New Zealand Warriors contract extended by two years to 2026.

www.warriors.kiwi

Yeah, I think there is only one spot available (which, for the past few years, we've kept open until the mid-season transfer deadline - 30 June - and then upgraded one of our juniors / Cup players).

This list published by the NRL has only one spot showing: https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/01/01/2025-nrl-signings-tracker-new-year-new-heroes/

Can't see anyone on that list who will be released early without us having signed a replacement.

(This "Official" contracts/signing hub seems to be a bit shit / out-of-date - https://signings-tracker.nrl.com/. You'd think the NRL at least try and keep things consistent...)

 

[Noitall]

Yeah they should run it by Egan.
I think Egan would know that NAS is a grub and at least it wasn't personal.
There's the story SJ shares about Will Chambers joining the Sharks after saying some awful personal stuff to the Sharks players while playing for the Storm. Apparently before Chambers came in, the Sharks senior players had to have a sit down and say "boys, we've got to let go of some shit here"

Been watching NAS’s instagram page. Interesting it was taken down the day Lussick departed the Warriors after recently put back up when it was also taken down with all the storm parting ways with him and put back after it was final. Probably just coincidence

 

[Playdaball]

I see a lot of people suggesting that we have 2 spots & I believe that misconception is from the Warriorholic incorrectly stating EIT is on a Development deal, when he is top 30

Promising prospect Ieremia-Toeava extends contract

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has One New Zealand Warriors contract extended by two years to 2026.

www.warriors.kiwi

True, he was my source .
So you reckon only 1 spot open?
Easy I went to page one of this thread and we have 29 players .

We are short of a decent , big back up front row prop … not a makeshift prop

 

[Naynay]

Yeah they should run it by Egan.
I think Egan would know that NAS is a grub and at least it wasn't personal.
There's the story SJ shares about Will Chambers joining the Sharks after saying some awful personal stuff to the Sharks players while playing for the Storm. Apparently before Chambers came in, the Sharks senior players had to have a sit down and say "boys, we've got to let go of some shit here"

Probably not on the side that thinks there is a play there any more, im sure the warriors might have been interested when the storm were chipping into a contract. But now we have to pay the full amount (and i doubt nas would want a base contract) the ship has sailed.

 

[Noitall]

Probably not on the side that thinks there is a play there any more, im sure the warriors might have been interested when the storm were chipping into a contract. But now we have to pay the full amount (and i doubt nas would want a base contract) the ship has sailed.

Who’s the next prop we’ll be interested in after Moale and NAS already?

 

[Wrighty]

Who’s the next prop we’ll be interested in after Moale and NAS already?

I am surprised we didn't go after Mad Jack. He would have been ideal. I suspect as other posters have stated, we won't recruit anyone as they like to keep the 30th spot free.
We have four excellent props Fish, Barnett, Vaimauga and Ford. What are missing is a 5th in line strong back up of about Bunty's ability. TSS was not strong last year and the best case scenario is that he packs on some kgs and improves his tackle efficiency stats this year and works his tail off in the off season. This is all possible and they may count on TSS stepping up and going to the next level.

However to answer your question who could they target if they are willing to fill the 30th spot at this stage of the season; a quick google shows there are only three off contract props for 2026 everyone else is under contract. They are NAS, Mad Jack, and Villiame Fifita. I would say Villiame Fifita would be a possibility 6 foot 4 and played two games for the Dragons this year. 24 years old.

 

[Hitro]

Good to see this kid signed. Looks the goods

 

[Noitall]

I am surprised we didn't go after Mad Jack. He would have been ideal. I suspect as other posters have stated, we won't recruit anyone as they like to keep the 30th spot free.
We have four excellent props Fish, Barnett, Vaimauga and Ford. What are missing is a 5th in line strong back up of about Bunty's ability. TSS was not strong last year and the best case scenario is that he packs on some kgs and improves his tackle efficiency stats this year and works his tail off in the off season. This is all possible and they may count on TSS stepping up and going to the next level.

However to answer your question who could they target if they are willing to fill the 30th spot at this stage of the season; a quick google shows there are only three off contract props for 2026 everyone else is under contract. They are NAS, Mad Jack, and Villiame Fifita. I would say Villiame Fifita would be a possibility 6 foot 4 and played two games for the Dragons this year. 24 years old.

We approached the knights about Hethington earlier in the year when Barnett was ruled out for the season apparently. Moale is the exception to the shape and undenied that there was interest from the club but also interest in Seyfarth a while ago tells me they want some height in the middle when looking at people like Seyfarth, Hetherington and NAS? Obviously Gannon will add some but interest in Moale and NAS has been since he signed, which indicates to me they want more in the middle. I hope there’s something to it because I totally feel like there’s better packs that last year indicated and some will be better through their recruitment. I think we tend to emphasise Metcalf’s injuries but we’ve had Barnett out for big portions of 2 of the 3 seasons he’s been here too

 

[Wrighty]

We approached the knights about Hethington earlier in the year when Barnett was ruled out for the season apparently. Moale is the exception to the shape and undenied that there was interest from the club but also interest in Seyfarth a while ago tells me they want some height in the middle when looking at people like Seyfarth, Hetherington and NAS? Obviously Gannon will add some but interest in Moale and NAS has been since he signed, which indicates to me they want more in the middle. I hope there’s something to it because I totally feel like there’s better packs that last year indicated and some will be better through their recruitment. I think we tend to emphasise Metcalf’s injuries but we’ve had Barnett out for big portions of 2 of the 3 seasons he’s been here too

"I totally feel like there’s better packs that last year indicated and some will be better through their recruitment"

This is a bit unclear. Are you saying other teams are going to step up in the forward packs so we need to move forward too?