Harry Grant gets to test the market in a couple of weeks as well, where’s all the speculation on him leaving the Storm? Some of you just need to take some deep breaths & calm down.
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Do we want to re sign someone who tests the market? I’m all for athletes seeing what’s out there & getting the best offer. But on the other (potentially deluded), I want players that want to be here.
Not irrespective of money, but if the money is fair, and by all accounts it is, particularly for an injury riddled player, then imo if he’s not all in, then offer retracted. Especially given the context of providing an opportunity, giving him the keys to the team, supporting him by flying to the US for his hamstring and now ACL, not all clubs do that.
I’m personally a little offended that he’s testing the market, but only given the context.
Bloke in a bar made a valid point, the big clubs key players don’t test the market. And he’s been injury ravaged, and we’ve supported him - he’s off it. I feel the same. 800k for someone who’s played 14 good games, is reasonable. Apparently dragons going hard.
I do understand the Aussie wife, his family, kids etc etc but again, if he’s not all in, he can go. We will take a hit short term but it’ll hardly derail the organisation like some people are saying.
Not irrespective of money, but if the money is fair, and by all accounts it is, particularly for an injury riddled player, then imo if he’s not all in, then offer retracted. Especially given the context of providing an opportunity, giving him the keys to the team, supporting him by flying to the US for his hamstring and now ACL, not all clubs do that.
I’m personally a little offended that he’s testing the market, but only given the context.
Bloke in a bar made a valid point, the big clubs key players don’t test the market. And he’s been injury ravaged, and we’ve supported him - he’s off it. I feel the same. 800k for someone who’s played 14 good games, is reasonable. Apparently dragons going hard.
I do understand the Aussie wife, his family, kids etc etc but again, if he’s not all in, he can go. We will take a hit short term but it’ll hardly derail the organisation like some people are saying.
Just got back. Haven't seen a replay yet, but from the middle of the South Stand...
-Whyte and Tapine immense
-Brown hot-and-cold but hot at crucial moments
-McLean is farking strong for a slender looking fella
-Foran was constantly in the ref's ear - basically the de facto captain
-Papali'i and Leota looked good
-We looked more tired than them, but also more structured and 'team-y'; they looked more likely to break the game open with individual brilliance
-Whyte and Tapine immense
-Brown hot-and-cold but hot at crucial moments
-McLean is farking strong for a slender looking fella
-Foran was constantly in the ref's ear - basically the de facto captain
-Papali'i and Leota looked good
-We looked more tired than them, but also more structured and 'team-y'; they looked more likely to break the game open with individual brilliance
I think Metcalf will re-sign, mainly because we can upgrade his 2026 contract, which currently sits at only $550k. If the Bears or Dragons offer him around $1.1 million per season for two years, that’s roughly $2.75 million total ($550k + $1.1m + $1.1m).
If the Warriors counter with an upgraded deal—say, $900k per year including 2026—those totals about $2.7 million ($900k + $900k + $900k), plus the added benefit of around 6% lower tax living in New Zealand.
If another club wants to risk blowing up their cap by offering $1.1 million or more over a longer contract, good luck to them—that’s a massive gamble.
If he does end up leaving, the best-case scenario for us would be him signing with the Bears. That way, there’s no contract drama for 2026, and he can give us his best before moving on.
If the Warriors counter with an upgraded deal—say, $900k per year including 2026—those totals about $2.7 million ($900k + $900k + $900k), plus the added benefit of around 6% lower tax living in New Zealand.
If another club wants to risk blowing up their cap by offering $1.1 million or more over a longer contract, good luck to them—that’s a massive gamble.
If he does end up leaving, the best-case scenario for us would be him signing with the Bears. That way, there’s no contract drama for 2026, and he can give us his best before moving on.
Saying hes better then egan is a bit far, hes got potential to be a top hooker but has some big work ons, just watching him im NSW cup he has to work on his decision making to cement a spot.
That being said he should be the clear 14 next year and I dont know if I can take TMM being put there instead
It's a bit hysterical around here.
Any half decent playmaker is going to have a multitude of conjecture written about them in NRL gossip mags, on chat shows and by forumers fishing on other sites when their contract is near the end of a term.
Gossip sells, it is the goal of the media to produce clickbait these days. Pundits on rival shows are the same, and often have ulterior motives. Like us, other forumers are hopeful of signing news and enjoy daydreaming. Shit, Kalyn Ponga has been headed to every other club every month for the last 5 years! Some were convinced Cleary was heading for super league
The only things we have heard directly out of either Metcalf or the Warrior's mouths has been nothing but positive and future forward for the club. Regardless of what happens, I think we can be sure both parties will treat each other with respect because we have two camps that seem that way inclined. I for one, am feeling very confident he'll re-sign.
And Healey is well suited to a bench hooker and seems to be in a good position going into 2026 with the Warriors.
Any half decent playmaker is going to have a multitude of conjecture written about them in NRL gossip mags, on chat shows and by forumers fishing on other sites when their contract is near the end of a term.
Gossip sells, it is the goal of the media to produce clickbait these days. Pundits on rival shows are the same, and often have ulterior motives. Like us, other forumers are hopeful of signing news and enjoy daydreaming. Shit, Kalyn Ponga has been headed to every other club every month for the last 5 years! Some were convinced Cleary was heading for super league
The only things we have heard directly out of either Metcalf or the Warrior's mouths has been nothing but positive and future forward for the club. Regardless of what happens, I think we can be sure both parties will treat each other with respect because we have two camps that seem that way inclined. I for one, am feeling very confident he'll re-sign.
And Healey is well suited to a bench hooker and seems to be in a good position going into 2026 with the Warriors.
Just a thought on the Metcalf rumours. In my experience, when you you sign up to go somewhere else for a gig you discuss it with your partner and family then make the call like, we will do this for 3 or 5 or 10 years and then quit to either retire or move to another place. The partner and family are usually the driving force and the old adage of happy wife, happy life is still true today. AFB was a good example of it not being happy.
Interestingly, having been to Bali for a few family weddings, getting married in Queenstown is a big high 5 to the club and to NZ especially with a lot of his team mates there.
I'm picking he stays
Interestingly, having been to Bali for a few family weddings, getting married in Queenstown is a big high 5 to the club and to NZ especially with a lot of his team mates there.
I'm picking he stays
A quote from the Foxsports article about Metcalf hitting the open market:
"The Warriors are the favourites to sign Metcalf after tabling a two-year extension, with a host of his teammates on hand at his wedding in New Zealand last weekend."
"The Warriors are the favourites to sign Metcalf after tabling a two-year extension, with a host of his teammates on hand at his wedding in New Zealand last weekend."
Good news re the Union lad.
Dunno why Cappy cops some on here, this is an amazing bit of horse trading.
Don't mistake me for saying inch will be the next thing, rather I make the point that getting a Union lad on the up in a play making role from under the strongest province in the country is pretty sweet.
No matter the outcome, today League won a battle.
Dunno why Cappy cops some on here, this is an amazing bit of horse trading.
Don't mistake me for saying inch will be the next thing, rather I make the point that getting a Union lad on the up in a play making role from under the strongest province in the country is pretty sweet.
No matter the outcome, today League won a battle.
Harry Inch signs with Warriors
New
Looks like it's offical, the warrior's now have an extra inch! https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/10/17/top-prospect-inch-signs-with-warriors-for-two-years/
"Inch will join the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) squad when pre-season training starts next month.
Among the other new faces in the squad will be hooker Braelan Marsh – son of former Warrior PJ Marsh – who was signed last month."
"Inch will join the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) squad when pre-season training starts next month.
Among the other new faces in the squad will be hooker Braelan Marsh – son of former Warrior PJ Marsh – who was signed last month."
I mean, it would be a MASSIVE dick move if he's planning on leaving, to go on holiday with his Wahs kit and boots (surely to continue running/rehabbing) to come back and announce he's leaving us. I'm sure it's not the case.
These next three years are quite important for us - not only do we have a good chance at going deep into the finals, it also bridges the gap between now and when our exciting half prospects come through.
Even if its costing us 200k more a year than we want it to, that's far and away a better outcome (to be paying overs for a good player) as opposed to having money, but no one to spend it on and not having a marquee half.
If we were to be fortunate with injuries over the next few years, and don't have key players like Metcalf, Barney and Rocco missing huge chunks of the year I think we're doing better than 6th moving forward.
What a time to be alive!
Taking his Wahs kit away with him on honeymoon = 100% confirmed he's staying. Let's go!
Dudes rocking his Warriors backpack like a kid on his first day of school. I doubt he's signed with anyone else just yet
I posted a couple weeks asking questions around Hansen leaving. Hansen's partner worked as a teacher aide with my wife. The school farewelled Hansen's partner at the end of last term as she was moving back to Aussie to "set up their home". I am not sure where in Aussie that was. My wife told me Luke staying here in NZ until April, but that April doesn't make sense to me as that is near the start of the season. I know for his fact his partner has gone back. I was asking if there was any news around him, but haven't heard anything.
Born in Auckland.
Kiwi passport....
I'm thinking there is some magical scenario that Ivan comes as a coaching director to Webby, wins a comp with Jett at 7, Ivan will also be named coach of the Kiwis to who Jett will play for and they will win the World Cup.
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Looks like the Crusaders are getting salty lol
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Kinda cool how this dude can't bring himself to name our sport in 2025 he still employs that snobbish elitist attitude calling it 'that other code'.
And that is why your sport is dying, because you can't open your mind to a world of different flavors, and thereby your youth culture cannot relate to you anymore.