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	✔​	✔​
Connor Bowden	U​	U​	✔​
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: 2/6

2027 Top 30: 20/30
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

 

[Hitro]

Is he a hooker or a halve like either of his brothers?

Don’t know sorry

 

[Wrighty]

The 2026 recruitment is over. We will likely see a 2027 signing in March if traditions continue.

2026 gains​

Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jye Linnane (Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds), Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs)

2026 losses​

Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs), Ed Kosi (Rabbitohs), Freddy Lussick (Panthers), Bunty Afoa (Wests Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Kalani Going (Panthers), Morgan Harper

Of the Losses only Ed Kosi was going to see game time this year and of the gains realistically Gannon and AKP will play frequently.

Losing Ed but gaining a good forward and a better winger will help our depth considerably.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

The 2026 recruitment is over. We will likely see a 2027 signing in March if traditions continue.

2026 gains​

Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jye Linnane (Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds), Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs)

2026 losses​

Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs), Ed Kosi (Rabbitohs), Freddy Lussick (Panthers), Bunty Afoa (Wests Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Kalani Going (Panthers), Morgan Harper

Of the Losses only Ed Kosi was going to see game time this year and of the gains realistically Gannon and AKP will play frequently.

Losing Ed but gaining a good forward and a better winger will help our depth considerably.

It's an interesting situation though, I agree that Gannon and AKP are the two most likely to feature heavily in 2026, but I reckon looking back in about 5 years all of those players could be long term, 100+ game Warriors.

Put a bookmark on this one @Wrighty!

 

[Noitall]

The 2026 recruitment is over. We will likely see a 2027 signing in March if traditions continue.

2026 gains​

Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jye Linnane (Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds), Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs)

2026 losses​

Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs), Ed Kosi (Rabbitohs), Freddy Lussick (Panthers), Bunty Afoa (Wests Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Kalani Going (Panthers), Morgan Harper

Of the Losses only Ed Kosi was going to see game time this year and of the gains realistically Gannon and AKP will play frequently.

Losing Ed but gaining a good forward and a better winger will help our depth considerably.

If that rumour about Tuaupiki was for 2026? That would set a cat amongst the pigeons. I thought it was interesting Geronimo Doyle was on a train and trial contract and a couple of others that could be potential fullbacks?

 

[Billyspleen75]

Anyone see anything about Tuapiki leaving?

Where did this come from?

 

[Matiunz]

Where did this come from?

Just a rant on FB about how stupid the Warriors were letting him go and it’d be back to bite us- grain of salt but curious if anyone had also heard anything as it was kinda out of the blue

 

[Kestrel84]

Just a rant on FB about how stupid the Warriors were letting him go and it’d be back to bite us- grain of salt but curious if anyone had also heard anything as it was kinda out of the blue

If ever there is a time to not give air time to rantings, it's the off-season

 

[CWC]

Can’t see TT go in 26 unless we signed a FB or Roger is moving back there and Charnze is the back up/starting centre

 

[BabylonPink]

TT is first drop no?

 

[Noitall]

Can’t see TT go in 26 unless we signed a FB or Roger is moving back there and Charnze is the back up/starting centre

Feels like a good opportunity to kick off some Kalyn Ponga speculation

 

[Matiunz]

Feels like a good opportunity to kick off some Kalyn Ponga speculation

That or RTS returning to fullback would be the only reasons I can see him looking at it. Was hoping Webby had paid attention to what the Kiwis did with Kini and CNK as some inspiration

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Who's even concerned if we lose Tuaupiki?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Who's even concerned if we lose Tuaupiki?

Lol, I bet you were one of the ones who said the same thing about Montoya being released this time last year.
We all know how that worked out with our wingers this year.

After Tuaupiki, who's next man up?
Would have to be RTS, who I don't think we should move as that would weaken one of the strongest parts of our game plan (meter eating 250+ winger who can finish off tries).

If Tuaupiki leaves, I think we need a solid plan B in case CNK is injured or form drops

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Lol, I bet you were one of the ones who said the same thing about Montoya being released this time last year.
We all know how that worked out with our wingers this year.

After Tuaupiki, who's next man up?
Would have to be RTS, who I don't think we should move as that would weaken one of the strongest parts of our game plan (meter eating 250+ winger who can finish off tries).

If Tuaupiki leaves, I think we need a solid plan B in case CNK is injured or form drops

I think your right, I definitely said that about Montoya and we ended up with sheck and he went alright.

Plan b is sheck.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I think your right, I definitely said that about Montoya and we ended up with sheck and he went alright.

Plan b is sheck.

Hmm a 32 year old (33 in June) that hasn't played fullback in the NRL for more than 3 games since 2021 isn't a very appealing bet.

 

[sup42]

Who's even concerned if we lose Tuaupiki?

He has been good for us, a decent fill in full back.

But if the rumors are true, It could signal an exciting shift at Mt Smart to exploring more dynamic options for this season.

If the coaching staff are letting Taine go because they going with an experimental fullback (e.g. Linane converts to the position in NSW cup) then I would be happy with that outcome.

Even Dallin is a better fullback option if we are going to mitigate the loss of kick return meters from using AKP, and unlike CNK, Dallin has pace and is a genuine finisher.

So, If it is happening because we are in the year of experimenting with the back line issues then I say great.

I have been one hundred percent behind the safety first approach Webster brought to the club, but we now have a foundation, we have a culture, we have a toughness that should see us go more experimental with our backline from here in search of unlocking something new.

They did it with Metcalf, it is time to do it with their problematic fullback and Center berths.

I would even like to see Gannon get a run at center over our ne'er do well never fit at the same time center options.

Anything to get Leka and Capewell out of the Centers and to put someone in their place with a bit of a pass on them makes sense to me.

Even give Sio Kali a go, take some risks this year, it is time, we have rebuilt the forward pack, we now need to spend a year rebuilding the backline, and the following year have a shot at the title.

 

[Naynay]

Lol, I bet you were one of the ones who said the same thing about Montoya being released this time last year.
We all know how that worked out with our wingers this year.

After Tuaupiki, who's next man up?
Would have to be RTS, who I don't think we should move as that would weaken one of the strongest parts of our game plan (meter eating 250+ winger who can finish off tries).

If Tuaupiki leaves, I think we need a solid plan B in case CNK is injured or form drops

Might have one of the new guys in the pipes? Not sure on the conversion from union but would harry inch play fullback in league? Otherwise Jye maybe signed as fullback.

Those are pretty much the only way Taine leaving makes sense for the club. We would need someone who will fill the spot in two years. I would be happy with taine to be the long term fullback, but i think the club at this time is showing they are happy to think 5 years ahead like with the slow blooding of the forwards so these two aren’t out of the picture

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Could Luke Hanson be a sneaky chance of playing fullback?

 

[WAH MAN]

Might have one of the new guys in the pipes? Not sure on the conversion from union but would harry inch play fullback in league? Otherwise Jye maybe signed as fullback.

Those are pretty much the only way Taine leaving makes sense for the club. We would need someone who will fill the spot in two years. I would be happy with taine to be the long term fullback, but i think the club at this time is showing they are happy to think 5 years ahead like with the slow blooding of the forwards so these two aren’t out of the picture

I don't see Inch or Linnane as sure bets to overtake Tuaupiki yet. Surely he hasn't fallen out of favour yet?

If anybody overtakes him that's cool but at this stage if we assess their bodies of work as in Taine, Harry and Jye.....

Taine trumps them on experience and achievements so far. I'd keep him. Dangle the new blokes in front of him. Then challenge him to improve and keep his position.

Size, height etc need not be an impediment to Taine if he models himself on older fullbacks who had similar size.

 

[Naynay]

I don't see Inch or Linnane as sure bets to overtake Tuaupiki yet. Surely he hasn't fallen out of favour yet?

If anybody overtakes him that's cool but at this stage if we assess their bodies of work as in Taine, Harry and Jye.....

Taine trumps them on experience and achievements so far. I'd keep him. Dangle the new blokes in front of him. Then challenge him to improve and keep his position.

Size, height etc need not be an impediment to Taine if he models himself on older fullbacks who had similar size.

I agree but I think if taine wants to pursue a top spot they won’t stand in his way, considering CNK resigned until 27 (or 28?) so they may think one of those guys will be ready by then.