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​
Luke Hanson	S​
Motu Pasikala	S​	U​
Caelys-Paul Putoko	S​
Jason Salalilo	S​	U​	U​
Makaia Taufa	S​	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: 6/6

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

 

[Noitall]

If he did we should try and steal Leota off them then.

That’s who I’d be targeting and reunite the bash bros

 

[snake77]

I know we have discussed the compassionate grounds releases a lot. The ones where a player hasn't been here for a while are frustrating as they have been recruited as part of a long-term strategy.

This one is a shame as he's the co-captain and has performed since arriving here. I remember reading that he initially signed, thinking it would be short-term. He ended up liking the environment at the club and looks to have settled here in NZ. I think he also may have said it would be a good experience for his family to experience another country.

2026 will be his fourth season here. He has improved since he arrived, becoming an Origin and International. We often complain about recruits not performing. We should look at the ones that succeed. Especially under the current management and coaching setup. It shows players can come here and improve.

Family comes first. So, understand him needed to move on.

Let's hope he kills this season. It would be good to send him off after a successful season.

 

[Woofa]

If I was the wahs, I would be adding a clause in contracts along the lines of, If you require a compassionate release for any reason, the final portion of your salary will be halved as compensation due to roster planning etc etc.. adds to the war chest and you will see how many compassionate releases actually happen moving forward. I suppose they could then tell you at the end of the year and be immediately re-signed but is always a smart lawyer that could nut it out properly and fairly.

In no way am I saying Mitch Barnetts son doesn't need the medical attention etc, not at all, and this is not legit (how would I know) Im just saying been a few now that use it and must be in the back of potential signees minds (ahh well can always use the ol compassionate release).

 

[Boston Boy]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2026048500405076127

Should we have tried to swap him for a prop? No way broncs are letting Willison go, maybe Te Kura? Newcastle have no forwards but he would be a nice lift for them considering they got a bit more direction in the backline and they lost Thompson.

 

[sup42]

Great opportunity for Tanner to sky rocket into the Propping rotation from here.
I expect that Barnett will leave early this season, reason being that he is in a very tough situation and the club cannot fight an earlier release/wouldn't even try - given the grounds.

Given the issue is child related, I would have cut the string clean and be gone. Bugger the Warriors,

Having said all of that, if the medical issue is developmentally related (not going to speculate) then it would make sense to have a year long time frame before heading to Australia to settle the kid in a long term environment with the best supports and resources on offer. Whatever the issue all the best to little Barnett.

 

[snake77]

The club has been pretty astute with its retention and recruitment over the last few years.

It will be interesting to see if they recruit or promote from within. Vaimauga and TSS are the two I suspect would be the first two they expect to step up in terms of performance in first grade.

We also have a few experienced guys coming off contract. So we could be in for a bit of change going into 2027.

Let's hope 2026 is a top-8-level season. It means we can be confident in how the young guys are developing and make some targeted recruitment acquisitions. A poor season could mean they retain a few a year too long, wanting experience or make some recruitment that throws out our cap.

If they did recruit, it would be nice to see a similar situation to JFH. Another big name player approaching their club wanting to return home.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Barney for KP?

Shiet I wonder if they would consider that for this season.

Would actually improve both teams imo

 

[Hitro]

The club has been pretty astute with its retention and recruitment over the last few years.

It will be interesting to see if they recruit or promote from within. Vaimauga and TSS are the two I suspect would be the first two they expect to step up in terms of performance in first grade.

We also have a few experienced guys coming off contract. So we could be in for a bit of change going into 2027.

Let's hope 2026 is a top-8-level season. It means we can be confident in how the young guys are developing and make some targeted recruitment acquisitions. A poor season could mean they retain a few a year too long, wanting experience or make some recruitment that throws out our cap.

If they did recruit, it would be nice to see a similar situation to JFH. Another big name player approaching their club wanting to return home.

You’d have to think they would. Even with Barnett they were still chasing NAS. Or were they doing that because then knew Barney was looking to leave?

 

[Fizurg]

Shiet I wonder if they would consider that for this season.

Would actually improve both teams imo

This is what im telling myself.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

I know weve spoken about the potential log jam with our edges in the near futue - Laban, Leka, Fatialofa, EIT and Neil (although few years away).

I wonder with Barny moving on if that could mean we look at shifting someone sooner, rather than later? Out of that list Laban is probably the most well suited to move to the front row?

It's pretty mad to think, but with Tuaupiki and Berry potentially having their last year here too, we could have upwards of 3mill to spend for 2027 onwards, and if you look at the value weve gotten out of Cape, Marshall, Barny, Berry and Tuaupiki for the 2025 year alone, with injuries etc we didn't get much value at all. Imagine adding 2 mill value to that team...we'd be looking pretty good

+ we’ve already upgraded and extended a number of our young guns over the past year. I hate to use the term but we should for sure have a war chest at our disposal

 

[Zarjaz]

Now to convince Naufahu Whyte he's homesick…

 

[sballer7]

Certainly understand why Barney would have come to this decision regarding his child etc. But man I will be disgruntled if he signs anywhere but Newy or at the very least a Sydney team. If he ends up at Brisbane or Perth then its just a pisstake.

I understand the clubs decision on compassionate releases, in terms of player welfare, and looking good in the recruitment space, but I am beginning to get a bit frustrated with the year on year releases. Something has to give at some point, and clubs should be given some type of compensation by the receiving club or the NRL.

In regards to this announcement, id be very surprised if Barney finished the year with us. I think he will be gone early rounds. Best case we get an equal value player in return.

 

[Dempsey]

Very disappointed in the caring and balanced comments here. Wahs supporters just a bunch of teddy bears.

 

[Playdaball]

I did hear Cam George on Sport Nation saying that this could lead to a swap with another club??

 

[sydneywarrior92]

a lot of people here wanting to replace Barney with another middle signing. I think we should trust our kids to make the transition. Another year under their belt and TSS, Demi or even Laban might very well be up to the task of replacing what Barney does in the middle. Just as our middle didn't fall to pieces last year when AFB left, we'll survive this. We have the forward depth to cover this.

I'd rather trade Barney to a club lacking forwards but that has what we lack: fast outside backs with x-factor. Preferably a kiwi so we don't need to worry about compassionate releases.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Kini?

 

[Boston Boy]

The thing that Barney has is his defense. His line speed and meeting the opposition with controlled aggression on the advantage line is a hard discipline. You have to be mentally tough to consistently play that way. That's a hard ask of the young players, EIT may fit that mold. Jackson Ford all of a sudden becomes super important. I also hope this doesn't destabilise the Aussies. He's kind of the Alpha Aussie. Anyway, the club knows what they are doing, it will be interesting to watch this unfold. He might leave before the end of the year me thinks.

 

[JustVisiting82]

a lot of people here wanting to replace Barney with another middle signing. I think we should trust our kids to make the transition. Another year under their belt and TSS, Demi or even Laban might very well be up to the task of replacing what Barney does in the middle.

When I look at Canberra's success during the regular season last year, they had an exciting backline with a group of young players that had sort of hit a sweet spot in terms of the benefits of youth but having a certain amount of NRL experience and playing time together under their belts too. By the start of next season our young forward pack could be in a similar sweet spot.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

When I look at Canberra's success during the regular season last year, they had an exciting backline with a group of young players that had sort of hit a sweet spot in terms of the benefits of youth but having a certain amount of NRL experience and playing time together under their belts too. By the start of next season our young forward pack could be in a similar sweet spot.

which is why I'd rather spend the extra cap space on a gun outside back. That's our relative weakness atm that is the barrier to us being a genuine contender. Replace CNK with KP for example and we are in a premiership window next year.

 

[juju]

which is why I'd rather spend the extra cap space on a gun outside back. That's our relative weakness atm that is the barrier to us being a genuine contender. Replace CNK with KP for example and we are in a premiership window next year.

I get the feeling with Ponga we needed to go for him before Dylan Brown, Sandon Smith and the new coach.
That's going to refresh that club and make it harder to prise him from there.