Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Grant Anderson	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
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	✔​	✔​	✔​
William Warbrick	-​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	M​
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: 22/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Grant Anderson (Brisbane Broncos), William Warbrick (Melbourne Storm)
2027 Losses: Mitchell Barnett (Brisbane Broncos), Marata Niukore (Newcastle Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Wakefield Trinity)

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: 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

 

[SJ2k]

We absolutely needed to fill out our outside backs this offseason and didn't, and now the fruits are here before the season even starts. Shit luck, and I assume we were being disciplined with value. But we really should have thrown bank at any half decent OB (Garrick etc) considering how budget our team is.

Being disciplined and frugal is smart, but the upside should be the ability to splurge when needed. And boy did we clearly need OB's coming off the end of last season. If you're going to carry the insane liability that is Berry, for whatever reason, then you need to assume it's lucky if he plays out the season because last season was absolutely fucked.

We're extremely lucky Pompey is goddam invincible.

I'm surprised we didn't have more takers, if we actually tried. The pathway to a starting spot has got to be the best out of almost any club in the nrl.

Beak had a pod about us being dark horses. Bless his heart. We achieved nothing in recruitment this offseason. Improved literally no position at all.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We absolutely needed to fill out our outside backs this offseason and didn't, and now the fruits are here before the season even starts. Shit luck, and I assume we were being disciplined with value. But we really should have thrown bank at any half decent OB (Garrick etc) considering how budget our team is.

Being disciplined and frugal is smart, but the upside should be the ability to splurge when needed. And boy did we clearly need OB's coming off the end of last season. If you're going to carry the insane liability that is Berry, for whatever reason, then you need to assume it's lucky if he plays out the season because last season was absolutely fucked.

We're extremely lucky Pompey is goddam invincible.

I'm surprised we didn't have more takers, if we actually tried. The pathway to a starting spot has got to be the best out of almost any club in the nrl.

Beak had a pod about us being dark horses. Bless his heart. We achieved nothing in recruitment this offseason. Improved literally no position at all.

We're extremely lucky Pompey is goddam invincible.

you have just gone and totally fucked that!

 

[Citygirl]

I think it was all the boots fault he wasn’t as successful as he could have been…

Or the butterfly tattoo or am I mis-remembering that?

 

[Blain]

RTS played Centre in 2024. He had an 82% tackle efficiency. Not the worst I have seen for a Centre but nowhere near exceptional. Interesting that that year was the first time in his career he got over 80%. Last year a lot of people were complaining about Timoko tackling but his average was 84%.

Stats all from the NRL website.

Stats aren't everything. You don't get judged to have missed a tackle if you don't lay a hand on someone.. And there is a big difference in a strong tackle vs a weak one which gives away 10m. Not saying that's RTS specfically.

I think it would be a massive waste to not develop a centre like Ali vs trying to train an old boy in a new position like RTS - who is in his last year at the club potentially lets not forget. He also just won player of the season on left wing (although that should have been Erin).

 

[Muddogz]

We absolutely needed to fill out our outside backs this offseason and didn't, and now the fruits are here before the season even starts. Shit luck, and I assume we were being disciplined with value. But we really should have thrown bank at any half decent OB (Garrick etc) considering how budget our team is.

Being disciplined and frugal is smart, but the upside should be the ability to splurge when needed. And boy did we clearly need OB's coming off the end of last season. If you're going to carry the insane liability that is Berry, for whatever reason, then you need to assume it's lucky if he plays out the season because last season was absolutely fucked.

We're extremely lucky Pompey is goddam invincible.

I'm surprised we didn't have more takers, if we actually tried. The pathway to a starting spot has got to be the best out of almost any club in the nrl.

Beak had a pod about us being dark horses. Bless his heart. We achieved nothing in recruitment this offseason. Improved literally no position at all.

We’ve got two more outside backs in AKP and Mellars. Garrick is still at the sea eagles this year and going to the Roosters next year. It would have taken massive overs to get Garrick to even consider us to come here before uncle nick offered him a job for life.

Yes centre is a weak spot for us, but there’s a few guys there who can do a job there for a bit rather than throwing money in desperation.

 

[3rdstriker]

He has definitely got something on attack, I am guessing he needs to develop defensively. That is the foundation for Webby.

Why don't those foundations translate out to Dwzs wing?

 

[Ever Hopeful]

We absolutely needed to fill out our outside backs this offseason and didn't, and now the fruits are here before the season even starts. Shit luck, and I assume we were being disciplined with value. But we really should have thrown bank at any half decent OB (Garrick etc) considering how budget our team is.

Being disciplined and frugal is smart, but the upside should be the ability to splurge when needed. And boy did we clearly need OB's coming off the end of last season. If you're going to carry the insane liability that is Berry, for whatever reason, then you need to assume it's lucky if he plays out the season because last season was absolutely fucked.

We're extremely lucky Pompey is goddam invincible.

I'm surprised we didn't have more takers, if we actually tried. The pathway to a starting spot has got to be the best out of almost any club in the nrl.

Beak had a pod about us being dark horses. Bless his heart. We achieved nothing in recruitment this offseason. Improved literally no position at all.

A quality outside back would have been nice, as it would have been in the last off season to replace Montoya too. Hopefully a couple of recruitments will be canny acquisitions, each of Gannon, AKP, Mellars and Inch have a point of difference to our squad. If 50% of them come off, and we don't get shafted by injuries to our best players again then we should have a solid enough season. I had expected a depth signing in the backs though.

You'd have to be happy with the retention game though. We've kept the names we wanted to including our half, gun young forwards and age group stars throughout the grades. And staggeringly we have retained every Australian half prospect we have incubating.

Berry's injury isn't new, that shoulder was completely fucked last season, it wouldn't stay in for even the most innocuous of exertion. He was always going to have surgery in the offseason. Definitely last chance saloon stuff before he becomes the next Roache/Benry you'd think.

 

[Makasene]

Outside backs is not an easy position to fill. And almost impossible to do with marquee at short notice.

@SJ2k real question to you, Eels have publicly stated they want a player for Lomax and have said this is open to all other clubs.

So realistically, you can get Lomax tomorrow but who are you giving to the Eels?

 

[Boston Boy]

Why don't those foundations translate out to Dwzs wing?

They probably would. He has got a handy fend too. Is it right handed or left? He is just crafty and has some deception about him, pulls something out of nothing quite often. I like him. (But again guessing he is developing which is fair - I would not complain. Whenever Webby thinks he is ready will probably be right ).

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Stats aren't everything. You don't get judged to have missed a tackle if you don't lay a hand on someone.. And there is a big difference in a strong tackle vs a weak one which gives away 10m. Not saying that's RTS specfically.

I think it would be a massive waste to not develop a centre like Ali vs trying to train an old boy in a new position like RTS - who is in his last year at the club potentially lets not forget. He also just won player of the season on left wing (although that should have been Erin).

I replied to some one saying that statistically RTS was an exceptional defender which statistically he is not. Agree about the stats and RTS never looked comfortable defending in the line as a Centre. He also is not the greatest at passing to his winger. As for Ali he has the attributes to be a world class Centre so I hope he can stay uninjured.

 

[Fizurg]

I replied to some one saying that statistically RTS was an exceptional defender which statistically he is not. Agree about the stats and RTS never looked comfortable defending in the line as a Centre. He also is not the greatest at passing to his winger. As for Ali he has the attributes to be a world class Centre so I hope he can stay uninjured.

You replied to my comment about him being statistically an exceptional defender on the wing with stats from him playing at centre. On the wing his defense is great. I too agree he's a far better winger than centre.

 

[SJ2k]

Outside backs is not an easy position to fill. And almost impossible to do with marquee at short notice.

@SJ2k real question to you, Eels have publicly stated they want a player for Lomax and have said this is open to all other clubs.

So realistically, you can get Lomax tomorrow but who are you giving to the Eels?

I agree, and I know the club isn't stupid. It just feels like a glaring issue for years now with no solid move to resolve it. Instead putting so much focus on Berry (starting him immediately whenever healthy last year got completely out of hand, Waffle 100% right about that) who is the crux of the issue. We probably had little choice in Montoya, but how helpful would he have been these past few years and this year. That's the level of player i'm talking about here. I dream of Herbie though, contenders overnight with some injury luck.

Would they like Niukore back? Done. The issue with lowmax is look at how much drama this all is now, we're a no drama (within anything we can control) club now and I love it. I'm not sure about the eels to know where they're weak etc, I would be willing to give up a decent forward for him though. So that would be someone better than Niukore, but below the young trio barney and fish. Doesn't leave much, capewell?

I feel like the Storm are notorious for not releasing players, then have agitated this situation with Lowmax, the eels are giving them their commuppance and I hope they don't get anything. We on the other hand are an honest battler, who I think would have a good reputation around the org. Maybe the eels would be nicer to us to give the storm an extra f you?

Feels like too much drama, but shit you have to have a couple of head cases in rugby league, the majority of our lot really seem to have their head on straight these days.

 

[KO WAI RA]

Mr Hohepa Bird would b a massive catch right now…!!!!
Dreams r free

 

[CWC]

Time to hype up the return of the prodigal son Morgan Harper and fangirl over him again!

 

[sydneywarrior92]

we need to stop moving RTS around. He's a winger now and he's developed into quite a fine one now. Certainly one of the form wingers to end the season. So got to disagree with some of the previous posters- I can't see any good reason to shift him. You don't improve a position by weakening another.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

You replied to my comment about him being statistically an exceptional defender on the wing with stats from him playing at centre. On the wing his defense is great. I too agree he's a far better winger than centre.

Yep sorry about that. Read the post and not what you were quoting.

 

[Playdaball]

Just a thought …
If Lomax was to come here who would you offer in return?
Capewell ? Nikoure? Egan? Clark?
We’re short on OB and have back up in the forwards .

 

[Noitall]

WARRIORS SECURE YOUNG GUN ON THREE-YEAR DEAL

The Warriors have secured one of New Zealand’s most exciting young prospects on a three-year contract.


A member of last year’s New Zealand māori team, Aizaya Wanakore-Chase, has secured his future with the club until at least the end of the 2028 season and spend this year in the club’s pathways academy before being promoted to the U17s Harold Matthews Cup program in 2027.

An exciting talent who plays a number of different roles, the youngster who primarily plays in the centres or on the wing has already achieved several honours throughout his young career to date despite being only 14 years of age.

This includes being named the U13 Cooks Islands captain, winning the U13s Pacific Youth Cup MVP in 2024, being named the Aotearoa NZ māori Rugby League U14s MVP and securing the U14s ARL Region of Origin MVP in 2024.

“He’s an amazing young talent. He’s only 14 but is so explosive. He’s got great balance, phenomenal footwork and strength in the tackle,” his manager Ngahina Capper of Tairanga Ake told foxsports.com.au.

“He comes from a kura kaupapa background which means he’s been raised in a māori school. He’s really kind of grounded in his culture and he’s just a great young kid.

“He’s real aggressive in everything he does. There is similarities in terms of his balance and his strength in his hips that reminds you of a Matt Utai or Brian To’o type of player. He definitely has those similarities in terms of how he kind of carries himself on the field.


View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/cSx_gve2tmI

Just a young lad. Looks like he was signed back around October

 

[tajhay]

Just a young lad. Looks like he was signed back around October

He seems to have been in the Warriors system for a while.

Lots about him on his insta. Sounds like a dedicated good young kid. Only 14 and ticking all the boxes. Good luck to him as he chases his dream.


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIiglcaRc9L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

[WarriorsNrlFanatics]

Hey all, don’t know if this has been asked before on this forum. If it has I apologise. More so a question in regards to Marata Niukore. How do we all feel about him heading into this season, I do believe he’s on way too much money and needs to step up this season. If he doesn’t I believe he’s should be on the out.