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2018 Roster: Gains & Losses

ZEROMISSTACKLES

First Grade
Messages
8,666
Julian Savea isnt wanted by the All Blacks. Maybe we should give him a call and see if he wants to have a 'tea chat'.
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,692
Agnatius Paasi signs until the end of 2019.

[Signing] Paasi rejoins Vodafone Warriors
Richard Becht | Images: www.photosport.nz

Mon 6th November, 01:45PM

1509924108747.jpg;pv4b61dc3a0c70f059


Powerhouse forward Agnatius Paasi is back home after signing a two-year contract with the Vodafone Warriors.

A 2011 NYC premiership winner with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, Paasi has rejoined his first NRL club after making 54 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans over the last three seasons.

He’s the third former Vodafone Warrior to confirm his return to Mount Smart Stadium for next season. The club recently confirmed Kiwi utility back Peta Hiku and back rower Matiu Love-Henry had been signed after playing for the Vodafone Warriors at NYC level earlier in their careers.

“Agnatius became available after being released on compassionate grounds so he and his family could return home,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“We’re excited to be able to add him to our roster. He’s another aggressive forward, just the type Stephen (Kearney) is after as we look to boost our front row resources.”

Paasi is the seventh signing for 2018, one of the others being his Gold Coast team-mate Leivaha Pulu. The others secured have been Tohu Harris (Melbourne), Gerard Beale (Cronulla) and Adam Blair (Brisbane) plus Hiku and Love-Henry.

After his NRL debut for the Vodafone Warriors in 2014, Paasi linked up with the Titans from 2015-2017, playing 18 times in his first season and all 25 in 2016 before injury restricted him to 11 games this year.

He was outstanding at the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park when he helped the Titans to the semi-finals and was named in the team of the tournament.

It was the precursor to an impressive NRL campaign when he scored five tries while averaging 11 runs and 105 metres a game as well as 20 tackles a game. His key statistics were similar in his disrupted 2017 season.

A Mangere East Hawks junior, Paasi attended Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast before joining the Vodafone Warriors. In his only NYC season in 2011, he played 21 games and was used off the bench in the 31-30 golden point grand final win over the North Queensland Cowboys.

He went on to play for the Vulcans (2012-2013) and the Vodafone Warriors (2014) in the New South Wales Cup (now the Intrust Super Premiership) before being signed by the Titans.



AGNATIUS PAASI

Date of Birth: November 30, 1991

Birthplace: Lapaha, Tonga

Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks

Position: Prop/Second Row/Loose Forward

Height: 1.82m

Weight: 111kg

Rep Honours: 1 Test for Mate Ma’a Tonga (2014), Junior Kiwis (2011)

Previous Clubs: Vodafone Warriors (2014), Gold Coast Titans (2015-2017)

NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium, July 19, 2014 (Round 19)

NRL Career: 55 appearances 2014-2017:

Vodafone Warriors: 1 appearance (2014)

Gold Coast: 54 appearances (2015-2017)

NRL Points: 28 (7 tries):

Vodafone Warriors: 0

Gold Coast: 28 (7 tries)

NYC Career: 21 appearances for Vodafone Junior Warriors (2011)

NYC Points: 24 (6 tries)

http://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/11/06/_signing_paasi_rejoi.html
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,692
Current Squad/year contract expires

Ata Hingano 2020
Nathaniel Roache 2020
Solomone Kata 2019
Bunty Afoa 2019
David Fusitua 2019
Isaiah Papalii 2019
Shaun Johnson 2019
Etene Nanai 2019
James Gavet 2019
Ligi Sao 2019
Blake Ayshford 2019
Charnze Nicole-Klokstad 2019
Mason Lino 2019
Lewis Soosemea 2019
Joe Vuna 2019
Chris Satae 2019
Albert Vete 2019
Isaac Luke 2018
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2018
Simon Mannering 2018
Sam Lisone 2018
Ken Maumalo 2018
Jazz Tevega 2018
Junior Pauga 2018
Zac Santo 2018
Manaia Cherrington 2018
Patrick Sipley 2018
Donovan Briggs 2018

Losses

Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm)
Kieran Foran (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Ben Matulino (West Tigers)
Toafofoa Sipley (Manly Sea Eagles)
Ofahiki Ogden (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Manu Vatuvei (Salford Red Devils)
Matt Allwood (Wyynum)
Bureta Faraimo (Hull FC)
Jacob Lillyman (Newcastle Knights)
Bodene Thompson (Leigh Centurions)

Gains

Tohu Harris 2021 (Melbourne Storm)
Leivaha Pulu 2020 (Gold Coast Titans)
Gerard Beale 2020 (Cronulla Sharks)
Adam Blair 2020 (Brisbane Broncos)
Peta Hiku 2020 (Warrington Wolves)
Matiu Love-Henry 2018 (Brisbane Broncos)
Agnatius Paasi 2019 (Gold Coast Titans)
Blake Green 2020 (Manly Sea Eagles)

Unknown for 2018

Jordan Pinnock
Matthew Sauni
Tevin Arona
Sam Cook

Anybody who has any further info please advise, thanks.
 
Last edited:

Rich102

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
11,524
Anyone else concerned that we dont have any long term signings. Only 2 signed till the end of 2020

No, not at all.
We have previously signed average players on way too long contracts.
If we do show improvement as a club then we can attract better players.
Then we can start giving really good youngsters longer contracts.
Mannering is the only current player I would want to sign long term.
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,692
Vete finally confirmed by the club to the end of 2019:

[Signing] Vete re-signed until 2019

1510286699867.jpg;pvd8e6f7adfbf6dda9


Front rower Albert Vete will remain with the Vodafone Warriors until the end of the 2019 NRL season after having his new contract officially registered this week.

The 24-year-old, who made his NRL debut in 2015, returned to preseason training this week ahead of his fourth first-grade campaign.

Vete’s 2017 NRL season was cut short when he broke his right arm in the 17th-round clash against Manly in Perth but he recovered in time to play in the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side’s finals campaign.

He heads into the 2018 season just six games short of 50 first-grade games, having originally switched to rugby league after being a stand-out player in secondary schools’ rugby union; he captained St Kentigern College to victory in the Auckland’s First XV competition in 2011.

In his two seasons with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, he amassed 37 NYC appearances, his last in the 2013 grand final loss to Penrith. During the season he was also promoted to make his debut for the now-defunct Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup.

When the Vodafone Warriors took over the NSW Cup side in 2014, Vete was a regular in his first post-NYC campaign.

An impressive preseason earned him his NRL debut as Vodafone Warrior #197 in the opening round of the 2015 season against Newcastle. Starting their first-grade careers on the same day were fellow front rower Sam Lisone and centre Solomone Kata.

Vete went on to make 21 NRL appearances in his rookie year, his contribution and development bringing further rewards when he was signed on a new contract to the end of the 2017 season. He also made his Test debut for Mate Ma'a Tonga against Toa Samoa in 2015.


Albert Vete

Date of Birth: January 24, 1993

Birthplace: Auckland, NZ

Junior Club: Mangere East Mount Albert Lions

Position: Prop

Height: 1.88m

Weight: 112kg

Rep Honours: Two Tests for Tonga (2015), Junior Kiwis (2013)

Previous Clubs: Nil

NRL Debut: v Newcastle, Hunter Stadium, March 7, 2015 (Round 1)

NRL Career: 44 appearances (2015-2017)

NRL Points: 16 (4 tries)

ISP Career: 36 appearances for Vodafone Warriors (2014-2017)

ISP Points: 28 (7 tries)

NYC Career: 37 appearances (2012-2013)

NYC Points: 56 (14 tries)

http://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/11/10/_signing_vete_re_sig.html
 

playdaball

Bench
Messages
3,525
Junior clubs: Mt Albert and Mangere East ... has Vete ever played for either or been to Flowds Park or. Walter Massey?
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,692
Blake Green signed until the end of 2020:

[Signing] Green secured until 2020
Richard Becht

Tue 21st November, 09:13AM

1511210396113.jpg;pvfdf8247321e00a13


Seasoned standoff Blake Green has been secured by the Vodafone Warriors on a three-year contract.

Signed until the end of the 2020 NRL season, the 31-year-old is moving to Auckland after helping the Manly Sea Eagles surge to sixth this season from 13th in 2016.

He’s the Vodafone Warriors’ eighth new signing after Tohu Harris (Melbourne), Leivaha Pulu (Gold Coast), Gerard Beale (Cronulla), Adam Blair (Brisbane), Peta Hiku (Warrington), Matiu Love-Henry (Brisbane) and Agnatius Paasi (Gold Coast).

“We’re delighted we’ve been able to sign a player of Blake’s calibre,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“He wasn’t off-contract but became available through circumstances. It couldn’t have worked out better for us. He’s a terrific player and his experience in winning titles and playing so much finals football will be of huge benefit to us.

“His presence will add both depth and intense competition among the halves, which is exactly what we’re after. On top of that his background at a number of clubs in the NRL and Super League makes him an ideal mentor for our young halves.”

The Vodafone Warriors will become Green’s sixth NRL club and his eighth in all counting Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan.

He began his first-grade career with Parramatta in 2007 before establishing himself with Canterbury-Bankstown in 2010 following just 19 games in two seasons with Cronulla in 2008 and 2009; he had his first taste of finals football with the Sharks in 2008 and has now appeared in a total of eight NRL finals matches plus Super League play-offs and two Old Trafford grand finals as well as the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

His one-season stint with the Sea Eagles in 2017 followed two with Melbourne when he played in the 2016 grand final and was in the Storm side stopped one win short of the decider in 2015 by eventual premier North Queensland.

Green spent four seasons in the English Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers and the Wigan Warriors from 2011-2014, savouring the Challenge Cup-Super League grand final double with Wigan in 2013. He won the Harry Sutherland Trophy as man of the match in the Super League decider at Old Trafford while he was in the grand final again in 2014 when Wigan lost to St Helens.

Green has played a combined total of more than 200 top-grade games in the NRL and the Super League.



BLAKE GREEN

Date of Birth: September 19, 1986

Birthplace: Fairfield, NSW, Australia

Junior Club: Cabramatta

Position: Standoff

Height: 1.79m

Weight: 97kg

Rep Honours: Australian Schoolboys

Previous Clubs: Parramatta (2007), Cronulla (2008-2009), Canterbury-Bankstown (2010), Hull Kingston Rovers (2011-2012), Wigan (2013-2014), Melbourne (2015-2016), Manly (2017)

NRL Debut: Parramatta v Canberra, Parramatta Stadium, April 7, 2007 (Round 4)

NRL Career: 117 appearances (2007-2010 & 2015-2017):

Parramatta: 6 appearances (2007)

Cronulla: 19 appearances (2008-2009)

Canterbury-Bankstown: 18 appearances (2010)

Melbourne: 50 appearances (2015-2016)

Manly: 24 appearances (2017)

NRL Points: 64 (16 tries):

Parramatta: 0

Cronulla: 4 (1 try)

Canterbury-Bankstown: 8 (2 tries)

Melbourne: 40 (10 tries)

Manly: 12 (3 tries)

Super League Career: 89 appearances (2011-2014):

Hull Kingston Rovers: 40 appearances (2011-2012)

Wigan Warriors: 49 appearances (2013-2014)

Super League Points: 144 (36 tries):

Hull Kingston Rovers: 72 (18 tries)

Wigan: 72 (18 tries)

http://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2017/11/21/_signing_green_secur.html
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,692
Not a player, but Brian Smith has signed on as GM - Football, I think this is an exceptional signing with his wealth of experience.

[Signing] Smith appointed GM - football
Richard Becht | Image: www.warriors.kiwi

Fri 24th November, 01:10PM

Brian Smith, one of the most experienced coaches in NRL history, has signed with the Vodafone Warriors as general manager – football.

The Australian was at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday and will join the club permanently in the coming weeks, bringing with him a level of rugby league knowledge and expertise almost unmatched after more than 30 years as a first-grade coach.

His 601 games as an NRL coach is topped by only Wayne Bennett and Tim Sheens while he boasts close to 700 games in all including stints in England.

“The role of GM football is critical to our organisation’s progress,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“The GM will drive all aspects of football operations and leave no stone unturned in ensuring we have our system right and a very strong enforcement of standards and accountability.

“Challenging the status quo is welcome so a complete understanding of how a football department operates efficiently, transparently and as one unit to deliver the best results for our fans and corporate partners was paramount when we were searching for the candidate.

“In particular, coaching support and mentorship along with recruitment, salary cap strategy and management were heavily weighted. In Brian we’re securing a person who has lived and breathed it for more than 600 NRL games at multiple clubs and obviously knows what is required.

“With this structure now in place, Stephen Kearney can concentrate specifically on coaching and set aside to Brian all other football department-related activities. The model we’re introducing is used to great effect in many sports.”

Smith said he relished the opportunity the role offered.

“I couldn’t be more excited about taking up this role,” he said.

“The concept of a general manager of football is to give Stephen every opportunity to concentrate on his coaching job. I’ll be doing all I can to absorb the administrative workload which can be a real burden and distraction for a coach.”

After coaching in lower grades with Newtown and South Sydney in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Smith moved up to first-grade, coaching the Illawarra Steelers for almost 100 games from 1984-1987.

He moved to England where he coached Hull FC from 1988-1990, taking the club to the grand final at Old Trafford in the 1988-1989 season (losing to Widnes).

By 1991 he was back in Australia for a five-season term with St George which included back-to-back grand final appearances against Brisbane in 1992 and 1993.

Two seasons with Bradford included a Challenge Cup final against St Helens which would be a forerunner to the Bulls going on a run of title successes in ensuring seasons.

He returned to Australia, guiding Parramatta for almost 250 games from 1997-2006. During his club record 10 seasons there, the Eels were finals regulars, winning the minor premiership in 2001 and 2005 and making the grand final in 2001.

Smith had two further head coaching appointments with Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters. His last top-level coaching job was with Wakefield in the English Super League in 2015-2016.


BRIAN SMITH



Born: March 14, 1954

Coaching Career:

Illawarra head coach, 1984-1987

Hull FC head coach, 1988-1990

St George head coach, 1991-1995

Bradford head coach, 1995-1996

Parramatta head coach, 1997-2006

New South Wales Country Origin coach, 2007-2009

Newcastle head coach, 2007-2009

Sydney Roosters head coach, 2010-2012

England assistant coach, 2010

United States coach, 2013

Wakefield Trinity, 2015-2016

Serbia technical adviser, 2015

NZ Kiwis technical adviser, 2017

Playing Career: 31 first-grade games, 1973-1979

St George: 14 games, 1973-1974

South Sydney: 17 games, 1975-1979
 

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