2023 Roster: Gains & Losses

[One Warrior]

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Addin Fonua-Blake 2026
Bunty Afoa 2025
Tom Ale 2025
Edward Kosi 2025
Marcelo Montoya 2025
Demitric Sifakula 2025
Wayde Egan 2025
Ali Leiataua (Development Contract) 2025
Adam Pompey 2025
Tohu Harris 2024
Rocco Berry 2024
Valingi Kepu 2024
Josh Curran 2024
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2024
Jacob Laban 2024 (Development Contract)
Zyon Maiuu 2024 (Development Contract)
Jazz Tevaga 2024
Shaun Johnson 2024
Bayley Sironen 2023
Viliami Vailea 2023

Gains

Marata Niukore 2026 (Parramatta Eels)
Dylan Walker 2025 (Manly Sea Eagles)
Mitchell Barnett 2025 (Newcastle Knights)
Charnaze Nicoll-Klokstad 2025 (Canberra Raiders)
Te Maire Martin 2025 (Brisbane Broncos)
Ronald Volkman 2025 (Sydney City Roosters)
Freddy Lussick 2024 (Sydney City Roosters)
Luke Metcalf 2024 (Cronulla Sharks)
Taine Tuaupiki 2023 (QLD Cup) 2024 CO
Brody Tamarua (NSW Cup Contract)
Solomon Vasuvulagi (NSW Cup Contract)
Patrick Sipley (NSW Cup Contract)
Chase Bernard (NSW Cup Contract)
Ollie Tumiavave (NSW Cup Contract)
Jackson Ford 2024 (St George Dragons)
Jayden Wiliame 2024 (Perpignan French RU)

Losses

Euan Aitken (Dolphins)
Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm)
Ash Taylor (Medical retirement)
Kodi Nikorima (South Sydney/Dolphins)
Matt Lodge (Sydney City Roosters)
Chanel Harris-Tavita (Early Retirement/Sabbatical)
Trei Fuller (Dolphins)
Jayden Corrigan (Norths Devils)
Adam Cook (Mackay Cutters)
Jesse Arthars (Brisbane Broncos)
Jack Murchie (Parramatta Eels)
Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)
Dunamis Lui (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Jackson Frei
Lleyton Finau
Junior Ratuva
Pride Petterson-Robati
Aaron Pene (Melbourne Storm)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (St George Dragons)
Taniela Otukolo
Otukinekina Kepu

Gains for 2024

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2026 (Auckland Blues, NZ Rugby)
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2025 (Sabbatical)

Losses for 2024

Viliami Vailea (North Queensland Cowboys)


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

 

[sup42]

SJ signed for another year.

I posted in the SJ thread.

Happy days our stars are aligning.

 

[One Warrior]

Yes, the news we have been waiting for, Shaun Johnson re-signs for 2024, club story:

Johnson signs to play on in 2024​

The One New Zealand Warriors have today confirmed Shaun Johnson has been signed to extend his NRL career to a 14th season in 2024.
The off-contract 32-year-old halfback’s future has been a topic of discussion for several months following his superb start to his first season based back in Auckland after the club’s enforced stay in Australia.

Today’s announcement means Johnson, now in sight of his 250th career appearance, will have an 11th campaign with the One New Zealand Warriors.
“We’ve had ongoing conversations with Shaun about his plans beyond this season,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“The priority for both of us was to let Shaun play, to enjoy his football and to enjoy being back home with his family.
“There was no rush to make a decision but we’re absolutely delighted to have him with us for another season at the club that means everything to him.”
The one-year contract announcement comes at a momentous time for Johnson, just days after celebrating his 200th NRL appearance for the One New Zealand Warriors as well as being on baby watch with his wife Kayla due to give birth to the couple’s second child any day soon.
It also coincides with the veteran playmaker preparing to face his former Cronulla Sutherland side at Go Media Stadium on Sunday (4.00pm kick-off).
“The way Shaun has gone about his football on and off the field this season has been phenomenal,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

His leadership and ambition to get better has been the driving factor in his and our success this season.
Andrew WebsterOne New Zealand Warriors head coach

“His leadership and ambition to get better has been the driving factor in his and our success this season.
“He has gone to a completely new level. He had a brilliant offseason and hasn’t slowed down since.
“Everyone can see how happy he is being back home in Auckland and around the club he loves so much. It’s terrific knowing he’s going to have another season with us in 2024, a huge boost for the club.”

As Warrior #168 Johnson, the club’s record points scorer, played 162 times for the One New Zealand Warriors from 2011-2018 before a 44-game stint with Cronulla-Sutherland from 2019-2021.
He has played all 17 games so far this season, scoring 136 points (fifth in the competition) including six tries, the most he has scored in a campaign since 2016 when he finished with 10.
In key statistical areas he ranks fifth for most try assists (16), ninth equal for most line break assists (13), fifth for most line break involvements (12) and he’s the game’s dominant kicker with more metres (8965) and kicks (293) than any other player. His kicking numbers are already ahead of his season totals in any of his previous 12 campaigns.
Even more significantly he has been in career-best defensive form with a 93 per cent efficiency rate.

SHAUN JOHNSON​
Born	September 9, 1990
Birthplace	Auckland
Junior clubs	Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Northcote Tigers
Position	Halfback
Height	179cm
Weight	91kg
NRL debut	One New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, June 4, 2011 (Rd 13)
Warriors No	168
NRL appearances	244 (2011-2023) One New Zealand Warriors: 200 (2011-2018 & 2022-2023) Cronulla Sutherland: 44 (2019-2021)
NRL points	1358 (78 tries, 515 goals, 16 field goals) One New Zealand Warriors: 1095 (72 tries, 396 goals, 15 field goals) Cronulla Sutherland: 263 points (6 tries, 119 goals 1 field goal)

Johnson signs to play on for 14th season in NRL

Shaun Johnson signs one-year deal to extend his NRL career to a 14th season in 2024

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Izz]

Pompey re-signed until 2025...

Pompey re-signed through to end of 2025 season

One New Zealand Warriors centre Adam Pompey locks in another another two years with club.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Grizzman]

This one surprises me tbh. I do wonder why he would sign for what could essentially be a backup/ Reserve grade role. Having said that, he is having his best year and has improved markedly. There are still big holes in his game and I'm not sure his ceiling is very high.

 

[Leber]

Why? Weird resigning.

 

[sup42]

Pompey was signed for the same reason Vailea has been released to the Cowboys.

Defence.

Well done Warriors, Vailea was taking the pistachios.

We now have a good and reliable NRL center to help bring on Berry and Leiataua in a controlled and careful pathway.

Those young bloods need the ability to step out of fg and have spells when the opposition coaches start targeting them and they have a crisis of confidence.

Pompey is an excellent man off the feild, won trainner of the year in preseason....heck of a mentor and baseline for the baby star centers to get past into grade.

 

[Izz]

Pompey was signed for the same reason Vailea has been released to the Cowboys.

Hopefully Vailea pulls finger over in North Queensland. I rated him highly, was touting him to have a big year this year, and have been pretty disappointed he hasn't bought in like everybody else

 

[Izz]

Here's the Vailea link, btw:
https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2023/07/26/cowboys-sign-vailea-viliami-2024/

 

[Tongue]

Vailea probably doesn't fit into the 'premiership window'. Pompey already developed and about to hit the prime age and Berry has developed better than Vailea. Plus RTS coming. I think this is good roster management.

 

[Izz]

Vailea's gone backwards

 

[Grizzman]

I posted before I heard about Vailea. I've also been convinced by your points well made. Ok, I'm ok with the signing

 

[nswarrior]

I was keen to see Vailea rise to the challenge this year but he hasn’t. Hopefully this is the change he needs to up his game esp. in defence. He is still young and raw and can be an excellent NRL 1st grader.
Really impressed with how the club has managed the signings.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Pompey well done on a deserving new contract and shutting some of those doubters up. Now extend Jackson.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Happy enough with his re-signing, sure he’s not a superstar but he’s a solid effort player and I think his retention is probably beneficial to club culture as a whole. Same in reverse with Vailea. We don’t need guys who aren’t putting in the work.

 

[GoSouths]

I dont like this signing at all. Sorry, he has never got rid of his rocks and diamonds behaviour no matter what Sup42 says. Go back and watch some of his games this season.
Money could have been spent elsewhere. I hope its super cheap resigning as i would hope for him to be in reserve grade next season if we are making the jumps to premiership contention. Warriors will never win a premiership while he is in the 17.
RTS, Berry, Ali, another centre depth signing --------------> Pompey in that order.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I dont like this signing at all. Sorry, he has never got rid of his rocks and diamonds behaviour no matter what Sup42 says. Go back and watch some of his games this season.
Money could have been spent elsewhere. I hope its super cheap resigning as i would hope for him to be in reserve grade next season if we are making the jumps to premiership contention. Warriors will never win a premiership while he is in the 17.
RTS, Berry, Ali, another centre depth signing --------------> Pompey in that order.

I feel the criticism is unwarranted when he has improved since Round 1 by a bucket load. It's strange you are so hard on Pompey he's only 24 and has been farked around by our club to be fair . Kearney and Brown were atrocious coaches and really stiffled a few young development and old players whilst at our club. Berry is still green and we have no idea what lies ahead in terms of injuries. He's a solid signing. Webby has even said Pompey understands the system and has improved tremendously hence their faith in the signing.

 

[GoSouths]

I feel the criticism is unwarranted when he has improved since Round 1 by a bucket load. It's strange you are so hard on Pompey he's only 24 and has been farked around by our club to be fair . Kearney and Brown were atrocious coaches and really stiffled a few young development and old players whilst at our club. Berry is still green and we have no idea what lies ahead in terms of injuries. He's a solid signing. Webby has even said Pompey understands the system and has improved tremendously hence their faith in the signing.

just my opinion from watching him the last few years. Hes a perfect player for Super League. That comp is full of rocks and diamonds players.
I just dont think hes up to the level i think that we need to be at to compete with the likes of Penrith. He did cost us 2 points earlier in the season with a brain explosion. And it wasnt the first time in his career.
I would also be more inclined to back him if he showed the same enthusiasm with his hit ups that Montoya and DWZ do (smaller guys) who are both fearless. Its important that the back 5 help out the forwards and he consistently lags behind the other 4 in terms of yardage. Im not sure why he does considering hes the biggest of them.

Regarding his spotless defence that Sup42 refers to, on two occasions this season, hes missed 5 tackles in a game ( not 1 or 2, but 5). He also rolls the dice too much for my liking in trying to intercept the ball because his decision making caused him to panic on defence.
I am really hoping Ali L comes to the fore and isnt hampered by injuries. I am also hoping RTS isnt past his best.
Every player has a floor and ceiling. I think Adam has reached his ceiling. Thats why i would prefer we look elsewhere. And perfectly happy if you think different. If we all thought the same thing, it would be a boring old world right?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

just my opinion from watching him the last few years. Hes a perfect player for Super League. That comp is full of rocks and diamonds players.
I just dont think hes up to the level i think that we need to be at to compete with the likes of Penrith. He did cost us 2 points earlier in the season with a brain explosion. And it wasnt the first time in his career.
I would also be more inclined to back him if he showed the same enthusiasm with his hit ups that Montoya and DWZ do (smaller guys) who are both fearless. Its important that the back 5 help out the forwards and he consistently lags behind the other 4 in terms of yardage. Im not sure why he does considering hes the biggest of them.

Regarding his spotless defence that Sup42 refers to, on two occasions this season, hes missed 5 tackles in a game ( not 1 or 2, but 5). He also rolls the dice too much for my liking in trying to intercept the ball because his decision making caused him to panic on defence.
I am really hoping Ali L comes to the fore and isnt hampered by injuries. I am also hoping RTS isnt past his best.
Every player has a floor and ceiling. I think Adam has reached his ceiling. Thats why i would prefer we look elsewhere. And perfectly happy if you think different. If we all thought the same thing, it would be a boring old world right?

I just wanted to show support for Pompey who still held his head high after being told he could explore earlier in the year. Its a good story he turned it around. That's much more important than focus on a players negatives when he wasn't playing well.

Agreed Ali Leiataua looks the goods and was rated by Charnze as the star rookie young gun too keep tabs on.

 

[Izz]

So only Siro and Tuaupiki from this year's squad who aren't definites for next year yet? Wonder if re-signing Siro depends on whether the club is going to upgrade Maiu'u?