2026 Roster: Gains and Losses

[Matua]

It was just a joke about the names I know he’s not Portuguese (although surely the Samoan Pereiras exist because of a Portuguese-ancestor somewhere along the line?)

I'm trying for the pedant award.

Not sure on the Samoan's, but there's a few Maori whanau with the surname and it could possibly just be a Maori name or just be the Portuguese one. If I ever come across one I'll ask them.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Funnily enough I met one of AKP's Samoan-Kiwi family members (possibly an Auntie) earlier this year and we ended up in a slightly heated conversation about his ancestry (alcohol may have been involved).

We were talking about their family connection and I asked about the name Khan and the Pakistan link I had read about, and for whatever reason she got very offended by this and insisted that "Khan is an Aboriginal name". Not sure what to make of this beyond her being drunk and not thinking straight and/or me being drunk and not explaining myself that well (the latter being highly unlikely of course).

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I'm trying for the pedant award.

Not sure on the Samoan's, but there's a few Maori whanau with the surname and it could possibly just be a Maori name or just be the Portuguese one. If I ever come across one I'll ask them.

tbh I assumed Pereira was the result of a Samoan/Portuguese connection solely based on former NRL player Jordan Pereira, who has a Samoan Dad.

Just found this website which seems to support my theory https://houseofpereira.com/about-us/

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Funnily enough I met one of AKP's Samoan-Kiwi family members (possibly an Auntie) earlier this year and we ended up in a slightly heated conversation about his ancestry (alcohol may have been involved).

We were talking about their family connection and I asked about the name Khan and the Pakistan link I had read about, and for whatever reason she got very offended by this and insisted that "Khan is an Aboriginal name". Not sure what to make of this beyond her being drunk and not thinking straight and/or me being drunk and not explaining myself that well (the latter being highly unlikely of course).

lol she drunk

Khan is literally the most common surname in Pakistan and I’ve never met an Aboriginal Khan… and if there are a few it’s because they’re descended from cameleers who came from…. Pakistan. (the “Afghan” cancellers in Australia were actually from western Pakistan)

 

[One Warrior]

Signing of AKP officially confirmed by club:

Speedster Khan-Pereira signs for three years​

Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who boasts 53 tries in just 54 matches, will join the One New Zealand Warriors on a three-year NRL contract from next season.
The 23-year-old speedster raced to the 50-try mark in just his 52nd career appearance this season, matching the record for the quickest half century in the NRL era set by Parramatta winger Semi Radradra early in 2016.

After making his debut in round one in 2023, he scored 20 tries in 23 matches that season and was the NRL’s top try scorer in 2024 with 24 in 21 games including a club record four in Gold Coast’s biggest win in history against the One New Zealand Warriors.
In a reduced campaign this year he still struck at nearly a try a game with nine from his 10 appearances.
“Lofi is an exciting addition to our squad for 2026,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“He’s one of the quickest players in the game and has proven try-scoring ability in the short time he has played in the NRL.”
This season he averaged 137 metres a game, made 21 tackle breaks and 11 line breaks with two try assists.
“Speed is one the greatest commodities in rugby league and Lofi has no shortage of that,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

“We saw first-hand how damaging he is as a finisher when the Titans beat us in Robina last year. We love what he’ll bring to our club with both his ability and his character.”
While averaging just on a try a game at NRL level, Khan-Pereira has scored at better than a try a match in the Queensland Cup with 33 in 24 games for Burleigh and Ipswich.
He said his face-to-face meeting with Webster was the critical factor in his decision to move to the Warriors.
“I was really hyped to hear that I was wanted at such a successful club,” said Khan-Pereira.

“I talked to Webby about the future and the direction of where the Warriors are headed and I just couldn’t sit still.
“We also had a 40-minute chat to get to know each other, nothing related to rugby league and we just clicked and had a great connection. From then I knew that I really wanted to play for him and the club.
“Webby was one of the big reasons why I wanted to move over and also the boys there. I enjoy the Wahs’ type of footy; I know it suits my style of playing.

“Going up against the Warriors you’re always in for a big night so I’m more than excited to be on the other side of that.
“I know nothing’s just given. I know within myself I have a lot to prove and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m keen to earn that from not just the club itself but also from the boys and coaches.”
Khan-Pereira said reconnecting with former Titans teammates at the Warriors was another positive in his move.

“I definitely feel more comfortable knowing that I have a couple of GC lads over there in Nudge (Tanah Boyd), Taine (Tuaupiki) and Erin (Clark). It makes my move to a whole new country much easier,” he said.
“I’ve seen them grow as players, Nudge and Taine winning the New South Wales Cup and State Championship and Erin winning the (Dally M) lock of the year. Seeing them be so successful has ignited something within me that I cannot wait for.”
Khan-Pereira also has a New Zealand connection through his Kiwi-born father who is of Māori and Sāmoan heritage while his mother is of Indigenous Australian and Pakistani descent.

Profile | Alofiana Khan-Pereira​

Born: November 1, 2001
Birthplace: Lismore, NSW
Junior club: Burleigh Bears
Position: Wing
Height: 183cm
Weight: 85kg
NRL debut: Gold Coast Titans v Wests Tigers. Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, March 5, 2023 (Rd 1)
NRL appearances: 54 for Gold Coast (2023-2025)
NRL points: 212 (53 tries)
Representative:
Indigenous All Stars: 2024-2025
Australian Prime Minister’s XIII: 2023-2024

Titans speedster Khan-Pereira signed for three years

Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira joins One New Zealand Warriors on three-year deal.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Izz]

Funnily enough I met one of AKP's Samoan-Kiwi family members (possibly an Auntie) earlier this year and we ended up in a slightly heated conversation about his ancestry (alcohol may have been involved).

We were talking about their family connection and I asked about the name Khan and the Pakistan link I had read about, and for whatever reason she got very offended by this and insisted that "Khan is an Aboriginal name". Not sure what to make of this beyond her being drunk and not thinking straight and/or me being drunk and not explaining myself that well (the latter being highly unlikely of course).

lol she drunk

Yep, she drunk:

Khan-Pereira also has a New Zealand connection through his Kiwi-born father who is of Māori and Sāmoan heritage while his mother is of Indigenous Australian and Pakistani descent.

 

[Big Marn]

lol she drunk

Khan is literally the most common surname in Pakistan and I’ve never met an Aboriginal Khan… and if there are a few it’s because they’re descended from cameleers who came from…. Pakistan. (the “Afghan” cancellers in Australia were actually from western Pakistan)

heh, here's me thinking in her drunkenness she got Khan mixed up with Ghan as theres that train in Australia called the Ghan, but as it turns out, Ghan has nothing to do with Aborigines either. I learned something today:

Originally dubbed the Afghan Express, The Ghan train was named for the pioneering cameleers who blazed a permanent trail into the Red Centre of Australia more than 150 years ago; the original Ghan line following the route of explorer John MacDouall Stuart. The first cameleers arrive in South Australia.

 

[jolly boys outing]

The most famous khan of them all.

 

[ozenzud]

SO NRL just announces a 10 year ban for any player or accredited agent you looks in the general direction of Rugby 360.....where does that leave RTS for Season 2026? In the cold?

 

[jolly boys outing]

SO NRL just announces a 10 year ban for any player or accredited agent you looks in the general direction of Rugby 360.....where does that leave RTS for Season 2026? In the cold?

Isn’t he contracted to the warriors in 2026?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

SO NRL just announces a 10 year ban for any player or accredited agent you looks in the general direction of Rugby 360.....where does that leave RTS for Season 2026? In the cold?

They're all talk. They're just scare mongering the young ones maybe thinking about they'll switch. If Cleary or Walsh signed they'll make exceptions.

Lol@NRL this just shows Rugby that they're scared

 

[ozenzud]

They're all talk. They're just scare mongering the young ones maybe thinking about they'll switch. If Cleary or Walsh signed they'll make exceptions.

Lol@NRL this just shows Rugby that they're scared

Well Rugby has done almost the same thing with the majority of major unions signing an agreement to exclude players who sign with Rugby 360.

The question about RTS being signed for 2026 means he is exempt from the ban from now? Dunno, they are making it up as they go along. No idea, but the wording of the presser release seems to say, just talking to them means a ban. So maybe it voids his contract? They also said it was case by case. Who knows.

But I think the NRL are being logical with this ban. Its not trade restriction either. As they aren't stopping them from going. Just saying, you can't come back.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Well Rugby has done almost the same thing with the majority of major unions signing an agreement to exclude players who sign with Rugby 360.

It's actually quite different because while rugby players will be excluded from test footy, they're not banned from returning and then being eligible for test footy again.

The question about RTS being signed for 2026 means he is exempt from the ban from now? Dunno, they are making it up as they go along. No idea, but the wording of the presser release seems to say, just talking to them means a ban. So maybe it voids his contract? They also said it was case by case. Who knows.

From what I read today, the policy is effective as of its release. Any agreements entered into before its effective date arent affected, so RTS should be sweet.

But I think the NRL are being logical with this ban. Its not trade restriction either. As they aren't stopping them from going. Just saying, you can't come back.

Employment lawyers are already being quoted as saying it will be difficult to enforce and may constitute restraint of trade, the RLPA has said they're not supportive... I think if someone decides to push ahead and test the policy, it will get very very messy. I understand why the NRL did it, but this feels very reactive and very rushed.

And I do agree with the earlier post that its likely scaremongering; not designed to stop people but rather slow things down.

 

[Big Marn]

didnt they go down this Restraint of Trade road with Terry Hill back in the early 90s? Lawyers could use that as a precedent even though its a slightly different situation. Internal Draft vs another competition...

 

[Izz]

Official Inch signing: https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/10/17/top-prospect-inch-signs-with-warriors-for-two-years/

Only a 2 year contract, which is interesting. Assuming both years are development, not top 30. He'll start in Jersey Flegg. Interested to see how he transitions

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Official Inch signing: https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2025/10/17/top-prospect-inch-signs-with-warriors-for-two-years/

Only a 2 year contract, which is interesting. Assuming both years are development, not top 30. He'll start in Jersey Flegg. Interested to see how he transitions

My Rugby mate was saying this signing from the Warriors has hurt many in the union circles. I hope he turns out the goods in League.

 

[Big Marn]

Just as an exercise, how many rugby union players that play 9 or 10 have successfully transitioned to elite league players?
Apart from Frano Botica (and elite is questionable, he was good not great) my mind is drawing a blank, but im sure there are some obvious ones that my old brain has forgotten.

 

[jolly boys outing]

Just as an exercise, how many rugby union players that play 9 or 10 have successfully transitioned to elite league players?
Apart from Frano Botica (and elite is questionable, he was good not great) my mind is drawing a blank, but im sure there are some obvious ones that my old brain has forgotten.

Jonathan Davies, Ricky Stuart………..Craig polla-mounter???

 

[Matua]

Jonathan Davies, Ricky Stuart………..Craig polla-mounter???

I think both Stuart and Polla-Mounter played league as teenagers unlike Davies and Botica.

My Rugby mate was saying this signing from the Warriors has hurt many in the union circles. I hope he turns out the goods in League.

I hope he turns the goods too, because NZers at half at the Warriors are as rare as Moa sightings.

Is your rugby mate from Tasman? The media hype over Inch is over the top, he's not the top prospect in rugby he's being made out to be. If the Warriors signed Dylan Pledger (Otago and NZ U20s halfback) then those headlines would be warranted.