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

 

[tajhay]

DWZ to be even better to maintain favor if he intends to take up his option next year

Pretty sure its not a player option. Either a club option or mutual.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I'd assume (all fun speculation based off of a reporters hunch on why nothing is comfirmed yet) in this case the difference is how it was communicated with them. Where as for other signings, those have been communicated with the playing group before hand. Where those players feel like they have the full picture. Now this happens during the negitation periods for both DWZ and RTS. Assuming this same reporter is right about DWZ being on a club option for next year. And then them hearing via instagram or some other social media first, that a top 10 winger has been signed on "a big pay packet" would i assume change things for both parties.

Hence why i think it is different to AKP or other signings. Purely because of the suprise while they are both deciding on staying for another year aspect not really the signing itself if you get what i mean. I think they'd understand the business and competition aspect of getting warbrick.

I have faith that Webby did the right thing by both DWZ and RTS regarding this. He generally manages his players quite well, better than any previous coach we've had. Also, I think we should be careful in blindly accepting Riccio's version of events. Aussie journalists don't have the same contacts at our club as they do in the bigger Sydney clubs. So I'm far less willing to give them the benefit of the doubt regarding this, especially given the pattern of most of our recruiting news which is for it to hit quickly without prior rumor speculation in the Sydney media.

 

[roguei]

I have faith that Webby did the right thing by both DWZ and RTS regarding this. He generally manages his players quite well, better than any previous coach we've had. Also, I think we should be careful in blindly accepting Riccio's version of events. Aussie journalists don't have the same contacts at our club as they do in the bigger Sydney clubs. So I'm far less willing to give them the benefit of the doubt regarding this, especially given the pattern of most of our recruiting news which is for it to hit quickly without prior rumor speculation in the Sydney media.

Oh 100%. Mine was speculation upon speculation upon a rumor. And when on the front foot i think Webby is one of the best man managers around. But reguardless of who you are, when on the back foot it's always a lot harder.

 

[Buzz Killington]

Usually a player will come and look at the facilities. Do you think that they do this secretly or with the team’s knowledge?

 

[Makasene]

I'd assume (all fun speculation based off of a reporters hunch on why nothing is comfirmed yet) in this case the difference is how it was communicated with them. Where as for other signings, those have been communicated with the playing group before hand. Where those players feel like they have the full picture.

We didn't leak this. Riccio even says that 'both parties' are dirty on the leak.

Reality is someone in the Storm camp is very happy about the leak, because they did it.

What is there to gain by discussing a signing before it is confirmed? "Hey guys were going to market to sign a marquee winger, it's going to be Will Warbrick, oops sorry that deal fell over, talk again soon"

We are a tight ship, the process would be to confirm the signing and then communicate what that means.

We have just seen concrete examples of how the Storm operate in evidence submitted to the courts, so it seems pretty straight forward what has happened here.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

We didn't leak this. Riccio even says that 'both parties' are dirty on the leak.

Reality is someone in the Storm camp is very happy about the leak, because they did it.

What is there to gain by discussing a signing before it is confirmed? "Hey guys were going to market to sign a marquee winger, it's going to be Will Warbrick, oops sorry that deal fell over, talk again soon"

We are a tight ship, the process would be to confirm the signing and then communicate what that means.

We have just seen concrete examples of how the Storm operate in evidence submitted to the courts, so it seems pretty straight forward what has happened here.

Why would Melbourne be happy about this? They are already losing Meaney to Perth on top of Paps going. Losing another outside back that is in their regular NRL squad clearly isn't part of the plan. So I'm still not sure we should take Riccio's version of events at face value.

 

[Five&Last]

If true that is pretty awful isn't it? So the signing could cost us some team cohesion on our already weakest side if DWZ suddenly feels back stabbed. As well as costing us extending RTS if handled poorly. Not normally the warriors who leak things, plus it only hurting our internal team trust. Yeah this feels more like a legit storm signing now... I guess thats the cost of doing a deal with snakes.

Just the nature of the business. Obviously it would've been better for DWZ/RTS to hear it from Webby/Cappy first before it was leaked but you can't control these things.

It's pretty common for NBA players to find out they've been traded via twitter rather from than their coach/agent etc.

I'm sure DWZ/RTS are professional enough to understand that, plus they're playing for their next contract so can't afford to sulk.

Cracks me up when a club is salty about losing a player so they leak the signing during the cooling off period without actually waiving the cooling off period.

 

[Makasene]

Why would Melbourne be happy about this? They are already losing Meaney to Perth on top of Paps going. Losing another outside back that is in their regular NRL squad clearly isn't part of the plan. So I'm still not sure we should take Riccio's version of events at face value.

They're not happy.

That's why they've leaked it, to piss everyone off.

Classic dummy spitting

 

[sup42]

Maybe RTS and DWZ are both going.

Indeed. And probably this signing has absolutely no relation to Barnett. People tend not to think that Cappy is looking for players all day every day, not just the one's we think of. * I drafted this yesterday and never posted it from the recruitment page (box thingy someone tell me wot this thing we type in is called so I can be cool with the hip kids) I digress, hello look at this:

Queensland Cup prop Page-Wilson joins Warriors

Australian forward Cooper Page-Wilson joins One New Zealand Warriors on two-year contract.

www.warriors.kiwi

Can't keep up with Cappy eh, he is so shrewd, this is exactly what we need to bridge the short term gap left by having to let Bunty, Crosby, and Tom Ale go (Bunty too old blocking spots, Tom Ale and Crosby deserving a clearer pathway to FG for their own Careers and not quite Mobile and endurance based for Webster ball props [yet] both would be welcome back if they kick on at their new club.

I don't know this Aussie at all but he is a physical monster and very young for a prop, who knows, we are the kind of club that turns Aussie forwards into Dally M points getters eh...look at Jackson...you never know, this bloke could kick on under our hothouse, even though Cappy is using him to add some very cheap hardened experience.

Love your work Cappy.

 

[sup42]

Clearly DWZ didn't feel backstabbed by the AKP signing over the off-season. By all accounts, he welcomed the signing as a chance to improve himself in face of the new competition and pushed himself a lot over the off-season. Why should this signing be any different? Webby has built trust over a number of years now with all the players on the roster. I doubt this will impact team cohesion in the slightest. If anything, it probably will have the opposite effect of pushing DWZ to be even better to maintain favor if he intends to take up his option next year. Look at the way Pomps for example fought for his jersey when RTS first announced his comeback in 2023.

I was getting ready to quote you and tautoko with
pomps story but you are ahead of me, and what did humble as pie Adam Pompey say when asked by the stupid reporters about his future? "I am going to train my arse off" and he turned in the strongest preseason trainings ever for him according to club sources....and look at Pompey now, he is still fighting for that Jersey by adding dynamic attack skills to his game, he is truely an unsung Warrior for the ages....I wish people would wake up and see that Adam Pompey is one of our best players for that reason.

 

[Tragic]

We have just seen concrete examples of how the Storm operate in evidence submitted to the courts,

Huh? Tell us more plz.

 

[Noitall]

Huh? Tell us more plz.

Some pretty ruthless tactics to try and get Lomax away from eels

 

[watcher]

I was getting ready to quote you and tautoko with
pomps story but you are ahead of me, and what did humble as pie Adam Pompey say when asked by the stupid reporters about his future? "I am going to train my arse off" and he turned in the strongest preseason trainings ever for him according to club sources....and look at Pompey now, he is still fighting for that Jersey by adding dynamic attack skills to his game, he is truely an unsung Warrior for the ages....I wish people would wake up and see that Adam Pompey is one of our best players for that reason.

Working hard and improving your game. Who would have thunk it. Effort winning over x factor.

 

[Noitall]

6.3K views · 241 reactions | NZ Warriors name Auckland born, ex-Bulldog Cassius Tia on the bench for this week’s NSW Cup game against the Raiders. Tia is predominantly a halfback but plays 5/8 and center too. Very exciting pick up for the Warriors #n

NZ Warriors name Auckland born, ex-Bulldog Cassius Tia on the bench for this week’s NSW Cup game against the Raiders. Tia is predominantly a halfback but plays 5/8 and center too. Very exciting pick...

www.facebook.com

Cassius Tia could be that centre we’re looking for

 

[sup42]

6.3K views · 241 reactions | NZ Warriors name Auckland born, ex-Bulldog Cassius Tia on the bench for this week’s NSW Cup game against the Raiders. Tia is predominantly a halfback but plays 5/8 and center too. Very exciting pick up for the Warriors #n

NZ Warriors name Auckland born, ex-Bulldog Cassius Tia on the bench for this week’s NSW Cup game against the Raiders. Tia is predominantly a halfback but plays 5/8 and center too. Very exciting pick...

www.facebook.com

Cassius Tia could be that centre we’re looking for

Crazy pick up, looks about Jarome Ropati's size but there the comparisons end.

His highlights on youtube are amazing. Quick, ball skills, vision, a short kicking game, nice swerve, great hands, that eye for the Try line.

He could be moulded into a similar Vein as the NRLs pet Center at the dogs were he to play center for us.....

The big question mark here is can he tackle? His stats according to AI for last year were 79% but that being poor, consider in his debut in cup he was up at 94% (one game sample but hey, grasping at straws here).

Be great if he can tackle better than Ali and eventually catch up to Pompey.....

 

[sup42]

Dogs fan absolutely raving about Cassius Tia. Ironically this bloke was thrilled they extended him.


View: https://youtu.be/Y5xHkuK2YpA?si=nmNI3oGqLIsqtHYH

 

[Neo]

TRUTH BEHIND STORM FLYER'S LIKELY MOVE​

Will Warbrick. Getty

Will Warbrick's proposed move to the Warriors isn't about the money.

One of the game's best wingers, Warbrick is set to quit the Storm to sign a four-year deal with the Kiwi outfit from 2027.

But I'm hearing the prime motivation for the move is homesickness.

Warbrick is a proud Kiwi and lived in the Shaky Isles until his early 20s, with several members of his family on both sides of the Tasman longing for him to return home.

*****
Don’t know where the Mole has grabbed the 4 years from. Everyone else is reporting 2

 

[snake77]

I mentioned that someone mentioned Warbrick last year when there was speculation on a signing. Think they mentioned wanting to return to NZ.

Being based in Auckland his family are 3.5 hours away. A lot easier to visit than a trip to Australia. He could get down to family if the team has a day off. A bye weekend would be more realistic. I've done the drive myself driving down in the morning to pick up something from my parents, returning in the evening. It was a long day but people drive from Auckland to mountain bike in Rotorua for the day.

We have had a lot of discussions on Australians returning home. It is understandable New Zealanders would want to return home. JFH returned for similar reasons. At the moment it suits the Warriors being the only club based here.

Being in NZ also means being close to family. Similar to what we get with Australians needing to move. There is a lot that goes into it. I've heard from someone I know about one of the players we lost last year that their family is preparing to move across to Australia.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

TRUTH BEHIND STORM FLYER'S LIKELY MOVE​

Will Warbrick. Getty

Will Warbrick's proposed move to the Warriors isn't about the money.

One of the game's best wingers, Warbrick is set to quit the Storm to sign a four-year deal with the Kiwi outfit from 2027.

But I'm hearing the prime motivation for the move is homesickness.

Warbrick is a proud Kiwi and lived in the Shaky Isles until his early 20s, with several members of his family on both sides of the Tasman longing for him to return home.

*****
Don’t know where the Mole has grabbed the 4 years from. Everyone else is reporting 2

Like everyone else, I thought a 4 year deal was pretty strange considering his age and what not. It was funny seeing the immediate reaction from the press stating that Warbrick was returning home on a ‘mega’ deal.

 

[snake77]

Like everyone else, I thought a 4 year deal was pretty strange considering his age and what not. It was funny seeing the immediate reaction from the press stating that Warbrick was returning home on a ‘mega’ deal.

We threw in some Mitre 10 Mega vouchers to get him over the line.

As we have discussed, a lot of our recruitment hasn't leaked and often just been announced. There hasn't been much speculation on salaries either. I doubt it would be a mega deal. It does make good headlines.

Occassionally you hear the journalists say they don't hear much from the Warriors. An advantage of bein based away from Sydney, hopefully a tight ship in terms of leaking to the media.