2021 Roster: Gains & Losses

[One Warrior]

Well 2020 is over for the Warriors and what a year it has been, Covid was just the start of it, the club better than many expected, the club was at a low point when Kearney was sacked, although it was long overdue and required. Todd Payten did wonders for the team and now we move forward towards 2021 with Nathan Brown and some major signings, many departures and the possibility of maybe more signings to come and a brighter future, for the first time in a while we could look to next year with quite a bit of positivity, even though it is still uncertain where we will be based next year, maybe we will have some home games at Mt Smart. Below is the squad as it stands at the moment:

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Eliesa Katoa 2024
David Fusitua 2023
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2022
Ken Maumalo 2022
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2022
Wayde Egan 2022
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 2022
Jack Murchie 2022
Tohu Harris 2021
Bunty Afoa 2021
Karl Lawton 2021
Jazz Tevaga 2021
Leeson Ah Mau 2021
Kodi Nikorima 2021 (PO 2022)
Paul Turner 2021 (Top 30?)
Tom Ale 2021 (Top 30?)
Tyler Slade (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)
Adam Pompey 2021
Hayze Perham 2021
Peta HIku 2021
Jackson Frei 2021
Josh Curran 2021
Rocco Berry 2021 (Top 30?)
Viliami Valea (2021 Development Contract)
Isaiah Vagana (2021 Development Contract)
Jyrus Glamazina (2021 Development Contract)
Edward Kosi (2021 Development Contract)
Temple Kelepo (2021 Development Contract)
Taniela Otukolo (2021 Preaseason Train & Trial)
Lleyton Finau (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)

Gains for 2021

Ben Murdoch-Masila 2023 (Warrington Wolves)
Junior Ratuva 2022 (Melbourne Storm)
Kane Evans 2022 (Parramatta Eels)
Euan Aitken 2023 (St George Dragons)
Addin Fonua-Blake 2023 (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jayden Nikorima - Train & Trial Contract 2021 Pre-Season

Losses

Blake Green (Newcastle Knights-Canterbury Bulldogs)
Gerard Beale (Retired)
Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Nathaniel Roache
Lachlan Burr (North Queensland Cowboys)
Leivaha Pulu
King Vuniyayawa
Adam Blair (Retired)
Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans)
Isaiah Papalii (Parramatta Eels)
Adam Keighran
Agnatius Paasi (St Helens??)
Selestino Ravutamada

Unsure on status

Israel Ogden 2021 (Ex Development Contract 2020)

As always anybody who has any further info, please advise, thanks.

 

[CheG]

Well 2020 is over for the Warriors and what a year it has been, Covid was just the start of it, the club better than many expected, the club was at a low point when Kearney was sacked, although it was long overdue and required. Todd Payten did wonders for the team and now we move forward towards 2021 with Nathan Brown and some major signings, many departures and the possibility of maybe more signings to come and a brighter future, for the first time in a while we could look to next year with quite a bit of positivity, even though it is still uncertain where we will be based next year, maybe we will have some home games at Mt Smart. Below is the squad as it stands at the moment:

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Eliesa Katoa 2024
David Fusitua 2023
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2022
Ken Maumalo 2022
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2022
Wayde Egan 2022
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 2022
Jack Murchie 2022
Tohu Harris 2021
Bunty Afoa 2021
Karl Lawton 2021
Jazz Tevaga 2021
Leeson Ah Mau 2021
Kodi Nikorima 2021 (PO 2022)
Paul Turner 2021 (Development Contract)
Tom Ale 2021 (Development Contract)
Israel Ogden 2021 (Development Contract)
Tyler Slade 2021(Development Contract)
Adam Pompey 2021
Hayze Perham 2021
Peta HIku 2021
Jackson Frei 2021
Josh Curran 2021
Rocco Berry 2021 (Development Contract

Gains for 2021

Ben Murdoch-Masila 2023 (Warrington Wolves)
Junior Ratuva 2022 (Melbourne Storm)
Kane Evans 2022 (Parramatta Eels)
Euan Aitken 2023 (St George Dragons)
Addin Fonua-Blake 2023 (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jayden Nikorima - Train & Trial Contract 2021 Pre-Season

Losses

Blake Green (Newcastle Knights-Canterbury Bulldogs)
Gerard Beale (Retired)
Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Nathaniel Roache
Lachlan Burr (North Queensland Cowboys)
Leivaha Pulu
King Vuniyayawa
Adam Blair (Retired)
Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans)
Isaiah Papalii (Parramatta Eels)
Adam Keighran ??
Agnatius Paasi (St Helens??)
Selestino Ravutamada

As always anybody who has any further info, please advise, thanks.

Adam keighran gone according to the warriors instagram

 

[One Warrior]

Adam keighran gone according to the warriors instagram

Yes unfortunately.

 

[Rich102]

Can someone post a copy of the Instagram please?

 

[Rich102]

Sean O'Sullivan bought on a one year deal.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/05...ters-and-contracts-for-all-16-clubs/#warriors

 

[One Warrior]

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Eliesa Katoa 2024
David Fusitua 2023
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2022
Ken Maumalo 2022
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2022
Wayde Egan 2022
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 2022
Jack Murchie 2022
Tohu Harris 2021
Bunty Afoa 2021
Karl Lawton 2021
Jazz Tevaga 2021
Leeson Ah Mau 2021
Kodi Nikorima 2021 (PO 2022)
Paul Turner 2021
Tom Ale 2021
Tyler Slade (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)
Adam Pompey 2021
Hayze Perham 2021
Peta HIku 2021
Jackson Frei 2021
Josh Curran 2021
Rocco Berry 2021
Viliami Valea (2021 Development Contract)
Isaiah Vagana (2021 Development Contract)
Jyrus Glamazina (2021 Development Contract)
Edward Kosi (2021 Development Contract)
Temple Kelepo (2021 Development Contract)
Taniela Otukolo (2021 Preaseason Train & Trial)
Lleyton Finau (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)

Gains for 2021

Ben Murdoch-Masila 2023 (Warrington Wolves)
Junior Ratuva 2022 (Melbourne Storm)
Kane Evans 2022 (Parramatta Eels)
Euan Aitken 2023 (St George Dragons)
Addin Fonua-Blake 2023 (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jayden Nikorima - Train & Trial Contract 2021 Pre-Season
Sean O'Sullivan 2021 (Brisbane Broncos)
Marcelo Montoya 2022 (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Bayley Sironen 2023 (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Losses

Blake Green (Newcastle Knights-Canterbury Bulldogs)
Gerard Beale (Retired)
Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Nathaniel Roache (Parramatta Eels Development Contract)
Lachlan Burr (North Queensland Cowboys)
Leivaha Pulu
King Vuniyayawa
Adam Blair (Retired)
Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans)
Isaiah Papalii (Parramatta Eels)
Adam Keighran (Sydney City Roosters)
Agnatius Paasi (St Helens)
Selestino Ravutamada

Unsure on status

Israel Ogden 2021 (Ex Development Contract 2020)

As always anybody who has any further info, please advise, thanks.

 

[One Warrior]

Bronco O'Sullivan signed

Former Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos half Sean O’Sullivan has signed a one-year deal with the Vodafone Warriors for the 2021 NRL season.

Boasting nine NRL appearances since 2018, the 22-year-old former Junior Kangaroos and Australian Schoolboys representative will add depth to the club’s halves resources alongside frontline choices Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita and 2020 rookie Paul Turner.

“It’s great to be able to bring in a player of Sean’s ability to boost our squad,” said new Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.

“He’s been part of the great system at the Roosters and has broadened his experience spending the last two seasons with the Broncos. He’ll add real value for us and ensure there’s real competition for places.”

O’Sullivan made his first-grade debut at halfback with the Roosters against Gold Coast in 2018 before he signed with Brisbane.

He had a further five starts in the No 7 jersey for the Broncos in 2019 followed by three run-on appearances this year.

Coming through the renowned rugby league nursery at Patrician Brothers’ College, he was in a 2016 Australian Schoolboys side that included current Vodafone Warriors back rower and fellow Patrician Brothers’ College product Josh Curran, Nick Cotric, Zac Lomax, Campbell Graham, Lachlan Lam, Blake Brailey and Payne Haas.

In 2018 O’Sullivan represented the Junior Kangaroos in their 40-24 win over the Junior Kiwis at Mount Smart Stadium. Among the other current NRL players in the side were Lomax, Brailey, Corey Allan, Jake Clifford, Patrick Carrigan, Thomas Flegler, Kotoni Staggs and Tino Faasuamaleaui.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN

Born: August 21, 1998

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW

Junior Club: Glenmore Park Brumbies

Position: Halfback

Height: 179cm

Weight: 83kg

NRL Debut: Sydney Roosters v Gold Coast Titans, Cbus Super Stadium, Robina, July 15, 2018 (Round 18)

NRL Career: Sydney Roosters (2018), Brisbane Broncos (2019-2020)

NRL Appearances: 9 appearances

NRL Points: 4 (1 try)

Representative: Australian Schoolboys (2016), Junior Kangaroos (2018)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2020/11/06/bronco-osullivan-joins-club/

 

[One Warrior]

Montoya signs for two years
Canterbury-Bankstown and Fiji Bati outside back Marcelo Montoya is joining the Vodafone Warriors on a two-year deal to the end of the 2022 NRL season.

The 24-year-old Lautoka-born Montoya is the club’s sixth acquisition for the 2021 season following the earlier signings of Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington), Kane Evans (Parramatta), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra), Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Warringah) and Sean O’Sullivan (Brisbane).

“Marcelo is a big, fast and powerful athlete who gives great depth to our outside backs,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.

“He is a very good yardage player and is an accomplished try scorer proven at NRL level.

“Marcelo would be one of the most impressive players I’ve interviewed and brings a great training ethic. We have a fantastic person joining our club.”

Named the Bulldogs’ 2017 rookie of the year after scoring 12 tries in 19 games, Montoya has gone on to make 54 first-grade appearances. He was used on the wing in 2017 and 2018 but has started in the centres in all but four of his last 21 appearances.

“I’ve long been a fan of Marcelo and really look forward to coaching him,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.

Marcelo has the desire and ethic we are looking for at the Vodafone Warriors

Nathan BrownVodafone Warriors head coach
“He is keen to improve as a player and has the desire and ethic we are looking for at the Vodafone Warriors.

“Marcelo can play wing and centre equally as well and is great under the high ball.

“He will provide competition to the outside back positions in our squad and we believe we can help take his game to a new level as he gets a fresh start at our club.”

Montoya has the distinction of being the only player of South American heritage to appear in the NRL’s 112-year history.

Of Chilean heritage on his father’s side, he began his career against his new club in the first and only NRL match played at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, marking it with a try in the Bulldogs’ 24-12 victory over the Vodafone Warriors.

He had a prolific NYC under-20 career scoring 36 tries in 46 matches from 2014 to 2016.

After making his international debut in 2016, Montoya was in the Fiji side which stunned the Kiwis 4-2 in Wellington in the quarter-finals of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

MARCELO MONTOYA

Born: February 17, 1996

Birthplace: Lautoka, Fiji

Junior Club: Bankstown Bulls

Position: Winger/centre

Height: 189cm

Weight: 95kg

NRL Debut: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Vodafone Warriors, March 17, 2017 (Round 3)

NRL Career: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2017-2020)

NRL Appearances: 54 appearances

NRL Points: 76 (19 tries)

Representative: 8 Tests for Fiji Bati (2016-2019)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2020/11/11/montoya-signs-for-two-years/

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Paasi goneski

https://www.zerotackle.com/warriors-release-prop-2-nrl-paasi-84202/

 

[One Warrior]

Terms agreed with Sironen
One of rugby league’s most famous names is set to link with the Vodafone Warriors after confirmation South Sydney back rower Bayley Sironen has agreed terms for a three-year contract from next season.

The 23-year-old is the son of the legendary Paul Sironen and younger brother of Manly Warringah’s Curtis Sironen.

After five games in his first two NRL seasons, Sironen established himself as a frontline player for the Rabbitohs this year appearing in 19 games to lift his career tally to 24.

“We have had our eyes on Bayley for some time but we didn’t have the positions available at the time,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.

“Fortunately he became available now. (Head coach) Nathan (Brown) was keen to add a point of difference to our squad to balance our key signings and Bayley will bring that.

“He comes from one of the game’s greatest families and will add some invaluable footy IQ to our squad.”

O’Sullivan said the Vodafone Warriors were grateful to South Sydney CEO Blake Solly, head coach Wayne Bennett and football manager Mark Ellison for their handling of Sironen’s release.

“I was really keen to add an edge/middle forward to our roster for 2021 and Bayley fits the bill,” said new Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.

“He was able to fill in at five-eighth and centre as well as the back row in 2020 so he adds the versatility, skill and defensive capabilities that we were looking for.

“His addition puts pressure on all our forwards for positions and adds invaluable depth of quality in our back row.”

The 186cm, 101kg Sironen made his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in 2017 but played just one more NRL match for the club before linking with South Sydney in 2019.

He becomes the seventh new addition to the Vodafone Warriors’ 2021 squad following the signings of Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington), Kane Evans (Parramatta), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra), Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Warringah), Sean O’Sullivan (Brisbane) and Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bankstown).

BAYLEY SIRONEN

Date of birth: December 23, 1996

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW

Junior Club: Bankstown Bulls

Position: Winger/centre

Height: 186cm

Weight: 101kg

NRL Debut: Wests Tigers v North Queensland, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, August 25, 2017 (Round 25)

NRL Career: Wests Tigers (2017-2018), South Sydney (2019-2020)

NRL Appearances: 24 appearances

Wests Tigers: 2 appearances (2017)

South Sydney: 22 appearances (2019-2020)

NRL Points: 8 (2 tries)

Representative: New South Wales Under-20s (2016), Australian Schoolboys (2014)

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2020/11/20/terms-agreed-with-sironen/

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Adam Keighran > Roosters 2 year deal

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/11/29/adam-keighran-joins-the-roosters/

Think of everyone released, he will be the one we're gonna regret the most not holding onto

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Adam Keighran > Roosters 2 year deal

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2020/11/29/adam-keighran-joins-the-roosters/

Think of everyone released, he will be the one we're gonna regret the most not holding onto

Another SK masterstroke. Signing him and then refusing to ever really use him..

To be fair, Payten didn't really use him either though.

Interested to see what Robinson does with him, after seeing poor Flanagan get punted after getting the chooks to a prelim final, AK better get up to speed fast.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

King Vuniyayawa has signed with Leeds

 

[RL The greatest game]

King Vuniyayawa has signed with Leeds

King Vuniyayawa: Leeds Rhinos sign New Zealand Warriors back-rower - BBC Sport

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Setu Tu has joined redcliff Dolphins on a 1 year deal. Independent of the Warriors partnership with the Dolphins

 

[One Warrior]

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Eliesa Katoa 2024
David Fusitua 2023
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Released to Auckland Blues, NZ Rugby End of 2021)
Ken Maumalo 2022
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2022
Wayde Egan 2022
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 2022
Jack Murchie 2022
Tohu Harris 2021
Bunty Afoa 2021
Karl Lawton 2021
Jazz Tevaga 2021
Leeson Ah Mau 2021
Kodi Nikorima 2021 (PO 2022)
Paul Turner 2021
Tom Ale 2021
Tyler Slade (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)
Adam Pompey 2021
Hayze Perham 2021
Peta HIku 2021
Jackson Frei 2021
Josh Curran 2021
Rocco Berry 2021
Viliami Valea (2021 Development Contract)
Isaiah Vagana (2021 Development Contract)
Jyrus Glamazina (2021 Development Contract)
Edward Kosi (2021 Development Contract)
Temple Kelepo (2021 Development Contract)
Taniela Otukolo (2021 Preaseason Train & Trial)
Lleyton Finau (2021 Preseason Train & Trial)

Gains for 2021

Ben Murdoch-Masila 2023 (Warrington Wolves)
Junior Ratuva 2022 (Melbourne Storm)
Kane Evans 2022 (Parramatta Eels)
Euan Aitken 2023 (St George Dragons)
Addin Fonua-Blake 2023 (Manly Sea Eagles)
Jayden Nikorima - Train & Trial Contract 2021 Pre-Season
Sean O'Sullivan 2021 (Brisbane Broncos)
Marcelo Montoya 2022 (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Bayley Sironen 2023 (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Losses

Blake Green (Newcastle Knights-Canterbury Bulldogs)
Gerard Beale (Retired)
Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Nathaniel Roache (Parramatta Eels Development Contract)
Lachlan Burr (North Queensland Cowboys)
Leivaha Pulu (Brisbane Broncos)
King Vuniyayawa (Leeds Rhinos)
Adam Blair (Retired)
Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans)
Isaiah Papalii (Parramatta Eels)
Adam Keighran (Sydney City Roosters)
Agnatius Paasi (St Helens)
Selestino Ravutamada
Israel Ogden

Losses for 2022

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Auckland Blues, NZ Rugby)

As always anybody who has any further info, please advise, thanks.

 

[One Warrior]

Unfortunately not the greatest news to report:

RTS code switch confirmed
Author
Alicia NewtonNRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 30 Jan 2021, 11:08 AM
Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the club at the end of the season to try his hand at rugby union, the superstar fullback confirmed on Saturday.

The 2018 Dally M Player of the Year and two-time Dally M Fullback of the Year is aiming to secure a spot in the All Blacks side ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Tuivasa-Sheck addressed the media alongside Warriors CEO Cameron George and new coach Nathan Brown and confirmed he would be released from the final year of his contract in 2022.

"This will be my last year with the club and yes, I will be moving to NZ rugby next year," Tuivasa-Sheck said.

"The club has been supportive in the request and giving me the option to explore.

"Rugby has been the game I've grown up playing. It's always been there in the background. It's always been there, it's no secret.

"To do it now in a time like this and have the club's support, that's why I chose it now.

"But rugby is down the line and all that stuff will happen later in the year.

"2021 is my focus, I'm excited about this year and so should the Warriors and NRL fans be.

The Warriors' 2020 season in review


The Warriors' 2020 season in review

"There's still a lot of goals I'm chasing [in league] and that's what I'm trying to do this year with the club.

"We've got a great group here and coaching staff to do something special this year."

Tuivasa-Sheck was reluctant to discuss his rugby ambitions further out of respect for the Warriors, but noted the desire to play for the All Blacks was not going to be an easy task.

George confirmed there was an agreement in place for Tuivasa-Sheck to return to the Warriors in the future should things not work out, but added he had "no doubt" the 27-year-old would make a mark on the 15-man code.

Tuivasa-Sheck thanked the support of his Warriors teammates and said their reactions were well received.

"They [teammates] have been awesome supporting me," he said.

"I wish I could've announced it earlier and let them know properly. They're keen to make it happen this year.

"It's tough because I've poured a lot into this club so hopefully we can finish off on a high."

George said Tuiava-Sheck, whose leadership at the Warriors in 2020 earned him the Dally M Captain of the Year award, had given the club enough time to explore their own options.

"This ain't a bombshell for the club," George said.

"Peter O'Sullivan, myself and Roger have been discussing this for a number of weeks now.

"The important thing for us is to respectfully explore the options with Roger and understand what his desires were.

"At the end of the day, Roger has earned the respect from the club to come forward and determine the decision we have come to."

Brown said the club would consider recruitment from outside the club to fill the fullback role in 2022.

"Sport's very transient, we all understand that," Brown said.

"Any time you've got a player of Roger's calibre, it's not a part of anyone’s plan to lose a player of that calibre coming into that age bracket.

"We need to get the club to a stage where [we're] developing a lot of good young players ourselves and the club's strong so if we do lose a player like Roger and we can't replace them from within we can go to the market and have the ability to attract another player to replace him.

"That’s the challenge for us as a club."

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2021/01/30/tuivasa-sheck-code-switch-confirmed2/

 

[hindy111]

How do you guys rate Isiah Papali? I see that parra has picked him up.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

How do you guys rate Isiah Papali? I see that parra has picked him up.

Big motor, good defensively, very strong, has moments in attack but not with any regularity.

The biggest question is his position.

Wants to play second row but lacks the pace/mobility. Not suited to prop at all. For me he's a lock or nothing at this point.

Could see him complimenting Nathan Brown well if they shared the lock role. If the plan is to play him at second row though he'll be the sort of guy who you don't notice but at the end of the game have 30 tackles and 80 odd metres.

 

[One Warrior]

Junior Ratuva has been released from his contract for 2021, because of his Pec injury, he is still contracted for 2022, spot now available in the Top 30, hooking options are being assessed.