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2025 Roster: Gains & Losses

Messages
10,313
interesting that Webster coached his old man previously and his Dad is Australian.
Geez when I read that I thought that must be wrong, but it isn't.

How many father and son duos have been coached by the same guy in professional league? Not many. The Hopoates by Des, is one of the top of my head.
 

Big Marn

Bench
Messages
3,375
Geez when I read that I thought that must be wrong, but it isn't.

How many father and son duos have been coached by the same guy in professional league? Not many. The Hopoates by Des, is one of the top of my head.
its those sort of relationships that get us players that would otherwise go to an Aussie club. Obviously Jim had good things to say about Webby.
 

Shaun Hewitt

First Grade
Messages
6,878
Gannon confirmed by the club for three years


I've noticed this wasn't posted on the Warriors Facebook page. Quite interesting

Hope he goes well, but I do think we'll see Capewell go back to Aus come end of the year... typical as he's just played probably his 2 best games for us!
 

hitro

Juniors
Messages
653
I've noticed this wasn't posted on the Warriors Facebook page. Quite interesting

Hope he goes well, but I do think we'll see Capewell go back to Aus come end of the year... typical as he's just played probably his 2 best games for us!
Reckon he will join Perth or maybe even PNG
 
Messages
1,141
Resigned Halasima and Laban extensions through to 2029
Great news... stoked the club moved quick on Leka, especially after Billy Moore threw his name out as a potential Bears target.

But Laban... in less than 3 months he's gone from not being good enough to make an extended Vegas squad, to earning a a 3yr extension. Pleased but a little surprised tbh. Unless there was some other reason he missed that squad... ?
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
36,736
Great news... stoked the club moved quick on Leka, especially after Billy Moore threw his name out as a potential Bears target.

But Laban... in less than 3 months he's gone from not being good enough to make an extended Vegas squad, to earning a a 3yr extension. Pleased but a little surprised tbh. Unless there was some other reason he missed that squad... ?

well, will be interesting to see if he keeps his place once Leiataua comes back.

but yeah, Vegas was a mystery
 
Messages
1,141
well, will be interesting to see if he keeps his place once Leiataua comes back.

but yeah, Vegas was a mystery
Oh shit yea that's a really good point... hard to see where Laban fits in this year if everyone is fit. Gonna be weird having someone freshly contracted to '29 running around in Cup if that happens.

Just on Leka though - how does the club stop him becoming another Eli Katoa? He was similarly impressive early on before falling off a cliff in '22. Being marooned in Aus probably didnt help, but was that the only reason he plateaued?
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
36,736
Oh shit yea that's a really good point... hard to see where Laban fits in this year if everyone is fit. Gonna be weird having someone freshly contracted to '29 running around in Cup if that happens.

I mean, there's no doubt that he's the future. Capewell and Niukore are currently gone at the end of 2026.
 
Messages
1,141
I mean, there's no doubt that he's the future. Capewell and Niukore are currently gone at the end of 2026.
Oh yea for sure... was just thinking more for the rest of this year. Regardless, good problem to have, he's been good since getting a crack.
 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,848

Official club release on Leka & Laban extensions:​

Young guns Halasima and Laban signed until 2029​


Exciting pathways products Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban have today become the One New Zealand Warriors’ longest-contracted current NRL players after signing extensions to the end of the 2029 season.
Halasima (19) wasn’t off contract until 2027 and Laban (21) in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to lock in two of their most promising young players.

After they both made their first-grade debuts last year, Halasima has progressed to play all 10 games so far this year to boost his career tally to 14 while Laban has been back in the side for four of the last five matches to lift his total to 11 appearances.
They are among a group of elite players the Warriors are building their future around.
“Signing Leka and Jacob on long-term deals is a really significant moment for us,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
leka-halasima-1k.jpg

“It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game.
“Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.”
The contract extensions for the pair follow fellow pathways product Demitric Vaimauga being signed until 2028 while centre Ali Leiataua and prop Tanner Stowers-Smith – who debuted last weekend – underline the Warriors’ commitment to local talent.
jacob-laban-1u.jpg

“It’s so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“We’re really proud of them and what they’ve already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they’re paying that back with their performances.

“Along with Demitric, Ali and Tanner, Leka and Jacob show what our future looks like. They’ve got such a big part to play in it.”
After being used off the interchange in his first nine NRL appearances, Māngere East Hawks junior Halasima has quickly graduated to start in the second row in his last five matches and will do so again when the Warriors face Canberra at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.

The club’s SG Ball Cup (under-19) player of the year in 2023, Mangere he has played the full 80 minutes in his last three NRL outings averaging 132 metres and 35 tackles a game while he earlier scored tries in three consecutive matches including a sublime match-winning effort against Wests Tigers.
Laban, out of St Bernard’s College in Lower Hutt, played his junior football for the Te Aroha Eels and Randwick Kingfishers in Wellington before moving to Auckland to complete his secondary education at Kelston Boys’ High School.
Named the club’s NRL rookie of the year in 2024 his seven NRL appearances included one start while he has been used off the bench four times this year, scoring his first NRL try in last Saturday’s 16-12 win against the Dolphins.

Profile | Leka Halasima​

Born: September 21, 2025
Birthplace: Tofoa, Tonga
Junior club: Māngere East Hawks (Auckland)
Education: Southern Cross Campus (Auckland)
Position: Second row
Height: 185cm
Weight: 100kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, July 6, 2024 (Rd 18)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 289
NRL career: 14 appearances for Warriors (2024-2025)
NRL points: 12 (3 tries)
New South Wales Cup career: 30 appearances for Warriors (2023-2024)
New South Wales Cup points: 36 (9 tries)

Profile | Jacob Laban​

Born: April 17, 2004
Birthplace: Moto’otua, Samoa
Junior clubs: Te Aroha Eels, Randwick Kingfishers (Wellington)
Education: St Bernard’s College (Upper Hutt). Kelston Boys’ High School (Auckland)
Position: Second row
Height: 188cm
Weight: 110kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, April 6, 2024 (Rd 5)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 286
NRL career: 11 appearances for Warriors (2024-2025)
NRL points: 4 (1 try)
New South Wales Cup career: 35 appearances for Warriors (2023-2024)
New South Wales Cup points: 60 (15 tries)

 
Last edited:

nswarrior

Juniors
Messages
1,458

Official club release on Leka & Laban extensions:​

Young guns Halasima and Laban signed until 2029​


Exciting pathways products Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban have today become the One New Zealand Warriors’ longest-contracted current NRL players after signing extensions to the end of the 2029 season.
Halasima (19) wasn’t off contract until 2027 and Laban (21) in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to lock in two of their most promising young players.

After they both made their first-grade debuts last year, Halasima has progressed to play all 10 games so far this year to boost his career tally to 14 while Laban has been back in the side for four of the last five matches to lift his total to 11 appearances.
They are among a group of elite players the Warriors are building their future around.
“Signing Leka and Jacob on long-term deals is a really significant moment for us,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
leka-halasima-1k.jpg

“It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game.
“Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.”
The contract extensions for the pair follow fellow pathways product Demitric Vaimauga being signed until 2028 while centre Ali Leiataua and prop Tanner Stowers-Smith – who debuted last weekend – underline the Warriors’ commitment to local talent.
jacob-laban-1u.jpg

“It’s so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“We’re really proud of them and what they’ve already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they’re paying that back with their performances.

“Along with Demitric, Ali and Tanner, Leka and Jacob show what our future looks like. They’ve got such a big part to play in it.”
After being used off the interchange in his first nine NRL appearances, Māngere East Hawks junior Halasima has quickly graduated to start in the second row in his last five matches and will do so again when the Warriors face Canberra at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.

The club’s SG Ball Cup (under-19) player of the year in 2023, Mangere he has played the full 80 minutes in his last three NRL outings averaging 132 metres and 35 tackles a game while he earlier scored tries in three consecutive matches including a sublime match-winning effort against Wests Tigers.
Laban, out of St Bernard’s College in Lower Hutt, played his junior football for the Te Aroha Eels and Randwick Kingfishers in Wellington before moving to Auckland to complete his secondary education at Kelston Boys’ High School.
Named the club’s NRL rookie of the year in 2024 his seven NRL appearances included one start while he has been used off the bench four times this year, scoring his first NRL try in last Saturday’s 16-12 win against the Dolphins.

Profile | Leka Halasima​

Born: September 21, 2025
Birthplace: Tofoa, Tonga
Junior club: Māngere East Hawks (Auckland)
Education: Southern Cross Campus (Auckland)
Position: Second row
Height: 185cm
Weight: 100kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, July 6, 2024 (Rd 18)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 289
NRL career: 14 appearances for Warriors (2024-2025)
NRL points: 12 (3 tries)
New South Wales Cup career: 30 appearances for Warriors (2023-2024)
New South Wales Cup points: 36 (9 tries)

Profile | Jacob Laban​

Born: April 17, 2004
Birthplace: Moto’otua, Samoa
Junior clubs: Te Aroha Eels, Randwick Kingfishers (Wellington)
Education: St Bernard’s College (Upper Hutt). Kelston Boys’ High School (Auckland)
Position: Second row
Height: 188cm
Weight: 110kg
NRL debut: One New Zealand Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Accor Stadium, Sydney, April 6, 2024 (Rd 5)
One New Zealand Warriors No: 286
NRL career: 11 appearances for Warriors (2024-2025)
NRL points: 4 (1 try)
New South Wales Cup career: 35 appearances for Warriors (2023-2024)
New South Wales Cup points: 60 (15 tries)

How good is this. Says a lot about how well the club has been run recently.

We had a bad year last year and lost Tohu and SJ but the club hasn’t panicked and made some desperate signings in huge overs. Obviously the great results and a good coach have helped!!
 
Messages
3,201
That’s disappointing, we really could use another genuine winger.

any chance we have a tilt at Dom Young?
I heard Dom is heading back to the UK. I'm not sure why Knights didn't get him back after showing intent on getting him back. If we put up with Kosi, I agree we should take a stab at Dom too.
Can we throw in Kosi as well
He's not re-signed yet, so I'm guessing he's on the out.
 

Fufu Andronez

First Grade
Messages
8,504

Promising South Island players locked in until 2028​


The One New Zealand Warriors have locked in three highly promising South Island players – Makaia Tafua, Jason Salalilo and Bishop Neal – until the end of the 2028 season.
All Christchurch-born and raised, the trio have underlined their potential coming through the club’s pathways system.

Hooker Tafua (21) has already made 22 appearances for the Warriors’ reserve grade side in the New South Wales Cup, prop Salalilo (20) has played eight NSW Cup games this year and second rower Neal (17) was an influential figure as the club secured its second consecutive Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) premiership this season.

“Makaia, Jason and Bishop are all terrific examples of the talent coming out of our academy in Christchurch,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development.
“Their development has been outstanding since coming into our system.
“Makaia and Jason have grabbed every opportunity through the grades to earn exposure with our New South Wales Cup side while Bishop has huge potential a back rower.
“He would have played in the Harold Matthews Cup as a 15-year-old last year only to be ruled out through injury but he certainly showed what he can do this year despite still being only 16 at that time.”

Tafua, a Linwood Keas junior and Shirley Boys’ High School product, started his journey with the Warriors in the club’s first year back home after the Covid era when he played four times for the SG Ball Cup (under-19) side.
By last year he was a New South Wales Cup regular making 17 appearances and scoring four tries as his development was fast-tracked alongside senior players. He also scored three tries in three Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) games while he has split his time between the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams this year.
Salalilo and Neal both come out of New Zealand rugby league’s new powerhouse St Thomas of Canterbury College.
Salalilo has followed the same path as Tafua coming through the SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and now NSW Cup sides. He has been impressive in eight interchange appearances for the table topping Warriors in the NSW Cup this year.

Neal is a standout both physically and talent-wise, an imposing figure standing 194cm and weighing 113kg. He routinely ploughed through defences using his combination of size, power and pace in the Harold Matthews Cup this year finishing as the team’s top try scorer with eight in 10 games.
He was almost unstoppable with two tries in the grand final after which he was named the player of the match.

Profile | Makaia Tafua​

Born: June 14, 2004
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: Linwood Keas
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 88kg
New South Wales Cup:
Appearances: 22 (2024-2025)
Points: 16 (4 tries)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21):
Appearances: 9 (2024-2025)
Points: 32 (8 tries)
SG Ball Cup (under-19):
Appearances: 4 (2023)
Points: 0

Profile | Jason Salalilo​

Born: April 28, 2005
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: St Thomas of Canterbury College
Position: Prop
Height: 183cm
Weight: 102kg
New South Wales Cup:
Appearances: 8 (2025)
Points: 4 (1 try)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21):
Appearances: 6 (2024-2025)
Points: 20 (5 tries)
SG Ball Cup (under-19):
Appearances: 7 (2024)
Points: 0

Profile | Bishop Neal​

Born: May 10, 2008
Birthplace: Christchurch, NZ
Junior club: Hornby Panthers
Position: Second row
Height: 194cm
Weight: 113kg
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17):
Appearances: 10 (2025)
Points: 32 (8 tries)

 

One Warrior

Bench
Messages
2,848
Current Squad/year contract expires:

Leka Halasima 2029
Jacob Laban 2029
Demitric Vaimauga 2028
Bishop Neal 2028
Makaia Tafua 2028
Jason Saltillo 2028
Wayde Egan 2027
Mitchell Barnett 2027
Motu Pasikala 2027
Ali Leiataua 2027
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2027
Jackson Ford 2027
Adam Pompey 2027
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2027
Marata Niukore 2026
Rocco Berry 2026
Freddy Lussick 2026
Luke Metcalf 2026
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2026
Kurt Capewell 2026
Chanel Harris-Tavita 2026
Taine Tuaupiki 2026
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 2026 (2025 Development)
Bunty Afoa 2025
Tom Ale 2025
Edward Kosi 2025
Te Maire Martin 2025
Tanner Stowers-Smith 2025
Kalani Going 2025 (Development)
Patrick Moimoi 2025 (Development)
Sio Kali 2025 (Development)
Luke Hanson 2025 (Development)
Kayliss Fatialaosa 2025 (Development)

Gains for 2025

James Fisher-Harris 2028 (Penrith Panthers)
Jett Cleary 2025 (Train & Trial) 2027 (Development) (Penrith Panthers)
Erin Clark 2027 (Gold Coast Titans)
Sam Healey 2027 (Newtown Jets - Cronulla Sharks)
Tanah Boyd 2026 (Gold Coast Titans)
Morgan Harper 2025 (North Sydney Bears)
Setu Tu (Brisbane Tigers)

Losses for 2025

Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla Sharks)
Jazz Tevega (Manly Sea Eagles)
Shaun Johnson (Retirement)
Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Paul Roache (Burleigh Bears)
Tohu Harris (Medical Retirement)
Ben Farr (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Zyon Maiu'u (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Dyna Walker (Parramatta Eels)

Gains for 2026

Jye Linnane 2028 (Newcastle Knights)
Morgan Gannon 2028 (Leeds Rhinos)

Losses for 2026

Moala Graham-Taufa (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Unknown for 2025

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

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

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