2025 Roster: Gains & Losses

[One Warrior]

Well 2024 is done and dusted for the Warriors, unfortunately not what we were hoping for and we have missed finals, SJ, AFB and Jazz have finished their times at the Warriors and now we look forward to 2025.

I think the future still looks bright for the club, Webster has learnt a lot of lessons this year, we have a good bunch of young guys coming through, principally Sifakula, Halesina. Laban, Leiataua and Maiuu, who all got first grade experience this year, JFH is coming in and he will add a lot of leadership for the young forwards. We now have sides in all grades, with Woman's side back in the competition next year and hopefully the NSW team can go deep into the finals. Anyway below is the squad for next year as it stands at the moment:

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Wayde Egan 2027
Mitchell Barnett 2027
Selumiela Halesina 2027
Motu Pasikala 2027
Marata Niukore 2026
Jacob Laban 2026
Rocco Berry 2026
Zyon Maiuu 2026
Freddy Lussick 2026
Luke Metcalf 2026
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2026
Kurt Capewell 2026
Demitric Sifakula 2025 (2026 CO)
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2025 (2026 MO)
Bunty Afoa 2025
Tom Ale 2025
Edward Kosi 2025
Marcelo Montoya 2025
Ali Leiataua 2025
Adam Pompey 2025
Dylan Walker 2025
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2025
Te Maire Martin 2025
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2025
Taine Tuaupiki 2025
Tohu Harris 2025
Jackson Ford 2025
Tanner Stowers-Smith 2025 (Development)
Kalani Going 2025 (Development)

Gains for 2025

James Fisher-Harris 2028 (Penrith Panthers)
Jett Cleary 2027 (Penrith Panthers)
Erin Clark 2027 (Gold Coast Titans)
Sam Healey 2027 (Newtown Jets - Cronulla Sharks)

Losses for 2025

Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
Jazz Tevega
Shaun Johnson (Retirement)

Unknown for 2025

Sanele Aukusitino 2024 (Development)
Patrick Moimoi 2024 (Development)
Equate f**kof**ka 2024 (Development) (Note asterixes put in by website when I saved, not put in by me)
Ben Farr 2024 (Development)

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

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Erin Clark returns.

Clark locks in return home on three-year contract

Erin Clark returning to One New Zealand Warriors after signing three-year deal to end of 2027.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Rich102]

I don't think this was supposed to be announced till after Jazz had left.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I don't think this was supposed to be announced till after Jazz had left.

Why's that? Warriors know Jazz is going to Manly. Jazz announcement must be coming shortly.

 

[Rich102]

From zero tackle.

The Warriors have 13 players who will be free to negotiate with rival teams from November 1 for the 2026 season and onwards. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Te Maire Martin headline this list.

But it also includes Tom Ale, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Taine Tuaupiki, and Dylan Walker.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Our squad will most likely lose a few more players and look a little different from 2024.
I think some of the rumours surrounding certain players has some traction but nothing official to it's official.

Players we know that are gone for 2025:

Shaun Johnson.
AFB.
Jazz Tevaga.

Players that have been rumored to leave:

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Dylan Walker.
Marcelo Montoya.
Bunty Afoa.

Players I suspect that maybe gone::

Marcelo Montoya.
Bunty Afoa.

 

[Izz]

From zero tackle.

The Warriors have 13 players who will be free to negotiate with rival teams from November 1 for the 2026 season and onwards. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Te Maire Martin headline this list.

But it also includes Tom Ale, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Taine Tuaupiki, and Dylan Walker.

Thoughts (and will be interesting to see how many swing and misses I have ):

Definitely need to get Ali extended.

Will be interesting to see how the club moves forward with CNK and TT (as an aside, I thought CNK looked a whole lot more dangerous at center against the Sharks than RTS did the rest of the season).

My suspicion is Walker will see out his contract then move on. Probably to Super League.

I doubt Harris plays on past 2025.

Also will be interesting to see what happens with Ford. Others like Lussick and Metcalf have already been extended but Ford hasn't.

I hope Ale gets extended but I kinda feel like Webby doesn't know how to use him. He's way too good to be playing NSW Cup, that's for sure.

Doubt Kosi will be extended.

Or Montoya. Not sure about the rumors of him to Wests, but he'd be a good guy to have in the clubhouse over there.

I'd like us to keep TMM.

And DWZ. Despite his defensive issues. I'm looking forward to seeing Pasikala on a wing. Hopefully next season.

 

[Izz]

Hooker Sam Healey signed on a 3-year deal (Sharks junior, 21 y/o): https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2024/09/20/sharks-hooker-healey-signed/

 

[Big Marn]

from good stock.

 

[Izz]

Kid's got some mean footwork:

 

[Grizzman]

Looks decent. Deceptively strong, good pass and likes to take on the line. How's his defense?

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Great foot work, looks to like a bit of a scoot out of dummy half. Get the burners on him. Great passsing game going off that 3 min video.

Could be a decent signing! Hope he can learn off Egan and be ready to step up when the inevitable concussion hits

 

[One Warrior]

Montoya to leave Warriors​

One New Zealand Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is leaving the club to return to Australia to continue his NRL career.
The 28-year-old former Fiji Bati international has been granted a release from the last year of his contract after originally joining the club in 2021.
“We were happy for Marcelo to see out his contract with us but we’re really pleased he has found a club back in Australia giving him longer term security,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“He has been a terrific person to have at our club for the last four seasons. He made a major contribution on and off the field and we wish him and his wife Tayla all the best for their future.”
Montoya joined the One New Zealand Warriors from Canterbury Bankstown in the Covid era, spending his first two seasons with the club in Australia.
He scored 30 tries in his 82 appearances for the Warriors, playing all 27 games in 2023.

Montoya released by Warriors to return to Sydney

Marcelo Montoya leaving One New Zealand Warriors to return to Australia to continue career.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[One Warrior]

Current Squad/year contract expires:

Wayde Egan 2027
Mitchell Barnett 2027
Selumiela Halesima 2027
Motu Pasikala 2027
Ali Leiataua 2027
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2027
Marata Niukore 2026
Jacob Laban 2026
Rocco Berry 2026
Zyon Maiuu 2026
Freddy Lussick 2026
Luke Metcalf 2026
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2026
Kurt Capewell 2026
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2026
Demitric Sifakula 2025 (2026 CO)
Bunty Afoa 2025
Tom Ale 2025
Edward Kosi 2025
Adam Pompey 2025
Dylan Walker 2025
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2025
Te Maire Martin 2025
Taine Tuaupiki 2025
Tohu Harris 2025
Jackson Ford 2025
Tanner Stowers-Smith 2025 (Development)
Kalani Going 2025 (Development)

Gains for 2025

James Fisher-Harris 2028 (Penrith Panthers)
Jett Cleary 2027 (Penrith Panthers)
Erin Clark 2027 (Gold Coast Titans)
Sam Healey 2027 (Newtown Jets - Cronulla Sharks)

Losses for 2025

Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
Jazz Tevega (Manly Sea Eagles)
Shaun Johnson (Retirement)
Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Unknown for 2025

Sanele Aukusitino 2024 (Development)
Patrick Moimoi 2024 (Development)
Equate f**kof**ka 2024 (Development) (Note asterixes put in by website when I saved, not put in by me)
Ben Farr 2024 (Development)

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

 

[Izz]

Ali extended until 2027: https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2024/10/14/leiataua-re-signed-until-2027/

 

[One Warrior]

Chanel Harris-Tavita extended until the end of 2026:

Harris-Tavita's deal extended​

AuthorRichard Becht & photosport.nzTimestampTue 15 Oct 2024, 01:14 pm

​

One New Zealand Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita has signed a one-year contract extension ensuring his return to the NRL arena will stretch to at least a third season.
The 25-year-old Toa Samoa international took a year away from the game after the 2022 Rugby League World Cup but returned to the Warriors on a two-year contract in 2024.

“Chanel made a great job of coming back into the NRL after taking time out,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“It was a significant adjustment to make after a year off but his quality and dedication came through. He’ll be so much better off having that season under his belt and has a big role to play for us.”
Harris-Tavita featured 17 times at NRL level in 2024 to lift his career tally to 71 games. He alternated between a bench utility role and the halves, scoring four tries including a double in the home win over the Broncos.

“Chanel made a great fist of returning to the NRL after his time out,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“He was impressive the way he threw himself into the preseason and earned his way back into the side.
“He plays so tough and his defence is awesome. He’ll bring even more to us next season.”
After his fourth campaign with the One New Zealand Warriors in 2022, Harris-Tavita played a key role in Toa Samoa’s campaign at the Rugby League World Cup. He missed the opening loss to England but then played the next five games, starting at hooker in the defeat by the Kangaroos in the final at Old Trafford.
He began his comeback season in 2024 with his 31st appearance for the One New Zealand Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side in March, scoring a try and kicking four goals in a first-round win over the eventual premiers the Newtown Jets.

Profile | Chanel Harris-Tavita​

Born: April 3, 1999
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior clubs: Howick Hornets, Pakuranga Jaguars, Mount Wellington Warriors
Position: Halfback/standoff
Height: 183cm
Weight: 89kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Gold Coast Titans, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, April 5, 2019 (Rd 4)
Warriors No: 233
NRL appearances: 71 (2019-2022 & 2024)
NRL points: 171 (11 tries, 63 goals, 1 field goal)
Representative: 7 Tests for Toa Samoa (2019-2022), Māori All Stars (2022), Junior Kiwis (2017-2018)

Extension stretches Harris-Tavita's stay until 2026

Chanel Harris-Tavita signs contract extension to stretch stay with Warriors to three years.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Izz]

Don't mind this. I know some on here were bagging him this season but I thought he went pretty well when he got to play in the halves

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Dallin remains until 2027. I feel the fans will be split on how they feel about this re-signing.

If they managed to get him down to a reasonable amount to cater for our rookies (Which is looks like it with the recent signings of Ali Leiataua & CHT)

Watene-Zelezniak on track for seven-season stay

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak stretches One New Zealand Warriors career to seventh season.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[sup42]

Past Warriors outfits would have kept Monty, he has been a loyal hearty player for us and is a cheap NRL contract.
Ergo I find it fascinating we have let Montoya go. It suggests to me that we are looking for a Junior with probably more speed in that slot.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Past Warriors outfits would have kept Monty, he has been a loyal hearty player for us and is a cheap NRL contract.
Ergo I find it fascinating we have let Montoya go. It suggests to me that we are looking for a Junior with probably more speed in that slot.

Marcelo brought heart to the team, but he struggled with defensive reads. Opponents often targeted him, choosing to avoid Dallin's side of the field. Dallin also has his own defensive challenges, which leads some Montoya fans to believe we should have retained him instead. I personally thought we were going to release them both (DWZ, an early release was rumoured earlier in the season) to make room for the young guns coming through.

If I had to choose whether to keep Montoya or DWZ. it would be DWZ.