Roster for 2014; Gains and Losses

[hitman82]

Updated 26-09-13

Current squad / Year contract expires:

Feleti Mateo 2016
Sam Rapira 2015
Sam Lousi 2015
Ngani Laumape 2015
Manu Vatuvei 2015
Shaun Johnson 2015
Glen Fisiiahi 2015
Ben Henry 2015
Konrad Hurrell 2015
Simon Mannering 2015
Ben Matulino 2015
Dane Nielsen 2015
Thomas Leuluai 2015
Dominique Peyroux 2015
Nathan Friend 2014
Kevin Locke 2014
Sione Lousi 2014
Suaia Matagi 2014
Charlie Gubb 2014
Pita Godinet 2014
David Bhana 2014
Albert Vete 2014
Siliva Havili 2014
Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2014
Jacob Lillyman 2014
John Palavi 2014
Jerome Ropati 2014
Carlos Tuimavavae Contract length unknown
Sebastine Ikahihifo Contract length unknown

Contractual status unknown:

Atelea Nafetali
Atu Tupou
Nathaniel Peteru
Siulongua Fotofili
Jethro Friend

New Signings for 2014: (First Grade)


Sam Tomkins (Fullback/Halfback/Standoff - Wigan ESL) 2016
Jayson Bukuya (Second Row/Lock/Centre - Cronulla Sharks) 2015
Chad Townsend (Halfback/Standoff - Cronulla Sharks) 2015

New Signings for 2014: (Toyota Cup)

Jordan Baldwinson (Prop/Second Row - Leeds Rhinos) 2014 (option for 2015)
Mason Tonks (Second Row - Leeds Rhinos) 2014 (option for 2015)

Losses for 2014:

Elijah Taylor 2013 - Contracted to Penrith from 2014
Bill Tupou 2014- Released June 25 2013
Harry Siejka 2014 - Released June 12 2013
Alehana Mara 2013 - Will not be re-signed for 2014
Steve Rapira 2013 - Contracted to Salford from 2014
Sio Siua Taukeiaho - Released 26 September 2013
Russell Packer - Released 2 October 2013
Todd Lowrie - Contracted to Broncos from 2014


*If anybody has updates to this list, please post in this thread. Will add the Vulcans and Under 20s squads when they are available.

 

[Rich102]

Thanks Hitman.
Nathaniel Peteru is listed twice and Dylan Collier has left (I think).

 

[hitman82]

Dead right actually: http://www.sportal.co.nz/rugby-union/news/collier-set-for-shield-debut-243973

 

[hitman82]

I'd love to know peoples' thoughts on our propping roster, considering all props except Matulino are off contract in 2014.

 

[NZ Warrior]

Can we add a column headed "Losses for 2013" and list under it "My faith and respect".

 

[hitman82]

Can we add a column headed "Losses for 2013" and list under it "My faith and respect".

So you maintained your faith and respect through 2012, but lost it during the much better season of 2013?

 

[NZ Warrior]

Something about a camel's back and a straw...

 

[hitman82]

Something about a camel's back and a straw...

I lost faith in the team in 2004 haha. I've managed to maintain respect for a select few players!

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I'd love to know peoples' thoughts on our propping roster, considering all props except Matulino are off contract in 2014.

Warriors have quite a few questions to ask themselves in regards to our props considering some tough decisions will need to be made.

Packer - will his injury ever come right and how long do they give him?

Lillyman - Career closer to the end than beginning, brings great experience, but at what point do the younger guys need to be entrusted with more responsibility.

Rapira - If Lillyman goes then he's a must keep imo. Him, Matulino and Matagi would form a very strong cornerstone for the pack with any number of props sliding in at 4th/5th choice

Lousi - Showed some promise before injury, keen to see how he goes when he comes back. How he comes back will probably decide what happens.

Vete - I rate the guy very highly. Seemed to handle the step up to NSW Cup fairly comfortably and how he continues to progress could determine what offers Lillyman/Packer/Louisi get.

Gubb - Don't rate him as high as Vete, but he's proven that he won't give up and looked decent in his limited appearances.

Already signed
Matulino

Must keep imo
Matagi
Vete
Rapira

On the fence
Lillyman
Gubb

Depending on injury (and in turn will effect those on the fence)
Packer
Lousi

The question I have is, how do the Warriors handle negotiations with all these props coming off contract? Do the players have the power because we only have Matulino on our books or do the Warriors have the power because they have so more options and room to move in regards to who they keep and let go?

 

[WithTheDawn]

Very light roster of new players really, which isn't a bad thing, as I'm happy for them to keep some consistency and maybe develop some U20s players up. If we aren't getting Tomkins then there really isn't much in terms of new signings to speak of at all really.

 

[Aragorn]

whatever happened to Carlos Tuimavavae ?

are our so called "Laurie Daley" of the Warriors?

came in with a hiss and bang, left with a wimper....

 

[gordynz]

I think the problem in recent years has been retaining the talent we've developed. Obviously we can't keep them all but the likes of the Likiliki brothers, Omar Slaimankhel, Saia Feki, Matt Robinson, Nafe Seluini, Elijah Niko, Mark Ioane, Neccrom Areaiiti; have been snapped up by other clubs. That is nearly the whole starting side from the 2010 Juniors. Even though hardly any of them have made an impact at NRL level I think it was crucial for us to try and keep some of them, they could've been anything if kept in the same environment.

I'd challenge them in the years to come to focus on the guys coming through, we've nearly covered all primary positions. The halves are going to be great, with Townsend coming we are going to have a lot of depth in that area which is only a good thing. Once we get the old Kevvy Locke back it'll be epic, how he was before his injuries and off-field dramas was awesome and I think he can make it back there if the club sticks by him, I'm a fan of Tomkins but I don't think it's necessary considering the pay packet we're going to be looking at. If he comes i'd say play him in the halves, that gives us three x factor players across the park, the only issue with this is that the signing of Townsend would be pointless. The hooking role is well sorted also, we have Friend there who's solid I guess(not a big fan personally) and also Leuluai and Godinet for cover.

Looking like a great future in my honest opinion, just need to be careful where we throw our money, hopefully the club backs our juniors and looks down that path

 

[Rich102]

I think a major part of losing so many of the 2010 junior side was that there was nowhere for them to go. The Vulcans were in disarray.
Hopefully next year we will get the Vulcans playing with the Warriors (The old 3 games system) and we will see more of what happened this year - a mixture of Warrior's reserves and promising juniors getting big-game experiance. Ricky Henry will need some good coaching help to develop these players.
We have had some awesome talent slip through our fingers because we couldn't develop it.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I think the problem in recent years has been retaining the talent we've developed. Obviously we can't keep them all but the likes of the Likiliki brothers, Omar Slaimankhel, Saia Feki, Matt Robinson, Nafe Seluini, Elijah Niko, Mark Ioane, Neccrom Areaiiti; have been snapped up by other clubs. That is nearly the whole starting side from the 2010 Juniors. Even though hardly any of them have made an impact at NRL level I think it was crucial for us to try and keep some of them, they could've been anything if kept in the same environment.

Looking like a great future in my honest opinion, just need to be careful where we throw our money, hopefully the club backs our juniors and looks down that path

I agree we should keep more, but how many do you keep and at what point do they not want to stay because they want a better opportunity elsewhere?

Of those guys named, who would be where if they had stayed? Toka Likiliki I probably would've kept and Vete I highly rate so that would've probably meant Ioane and Areaiiti never got a go.

Matt Robinson has developed very nicely, but in the U20's he was never really anything more than a Henry/Taylor/Mannering clone and we didn't need another one of those.

I always liked Feki, but he was never going to be kept over some of the other outside back talent we had.

Keep in mind that a 100% fit Warriors squad would mean almost an entire Vulcans team of either NRL experienced or former U20's players. No team stays 100% injury free, but no U20's guy is going to hang around to be a fringe Vulcan when they see greener pastures elsewhere.

 

[Iafeta]

I think the problem in recent years has been retaining the talent we've developed. Obviously we can't keep them all but the likes of the Likiliki brothers, Omar Slaimankhel, Saia Feki, Matt Robinson, Nafe Seluini, Elijah Niko, Mark Ioane, Neccrom Areaiiti; have been snapped up by other clubs. That is nearly the whole starting side from the 2010 Juniors. Even though hardly any of them have made an impact at NRL level I think it was crucial for us to try and keep some of them, they could've been anything if kept in the same environment.

I'd challenge them in the years to come to focus on the guys coming through, we've nearly covered all primary positions. The halves are going to be great, with Townsend coming we are going to have a lot of depth in that area which is only a good thing. Once we get the old Kevvy Locke back it'll be epic, how he was before his injuries and off-field dramas was awesome and I think he can make it back there if the club sticks by him, I'm a fan of Tomkins but I don't think it's necessary considering the pay packet we're going to be looking at. If he comes i'd say play him in the halves, that gives us three x factor players across the park, the only issue with this is that the signing of Townsend would be pointless. The hooking role is well sorted also, we have Friend there who's solid I guess(not a big fan personally) and also Leuluai and Godinet for cover.

Looking like a great future in my honest opinion, just need to be careful where we throw our money, hopefully the club backs our juniors and looks down that path

Nafe Seluini has become a perennial reserve grader in Sydney. He just hasn't translated the dynamic play he was able to conjure up in NYC to first grade. You don't get the same latitude with markers in first grade.

Elijah Niko, no team has played him in first grade. A team would have picked him up if he was that good. IMO he was a massive defensive liability.

Omar Slaimankhel, he was appalling for us in first grade I thought. Not just errors, not just the fact he couldn't score, but everytime he got it and rucked it up I cringed waiting for the inevitable knock on, or pick him up and drag him back 10 metres.

Sosaia Feki, yep that was a bit of humble pie for me. In NYC he was ok, but he wasn't particularly big, and he wasn't particularly fast. He was a smart player though, ran very good lines. He's clearly put an outstanding amount of work into his physicality, well done to him.

Neecrom, I rate him highly, however he's played I think 1 first grade game since leaving Auckland.

Ioane, I also rate highly. I'd have both him and Neecrom back TBH.

Matty Robinson, he's a bit like Issac John. Neither really showed anything of note here I believe. Both are obviously mentally strong and have learned how to adapt to first grade well at Penrith. TBH, I thought Robinson was bog standard in NYC, and John was slow with a laboured pass and an indifferent kicking game. Well done again, they've both developed nicely.

RE Carlos Tuimavave, I'm fairly sure he's still here next year. My understanding is he was signed to the Dogs a few years and got extremely homesick. I don't see him upping and leaving. I dare say an option has been taken up. Same with Taukieaho and Ikahihifo. I noticed presentations after the game to Bill Tupou, Elijah Taylor and Alehana Mara. Nothing for Tuimavave, Taukieaho and Ikahihifo. Also, Taukieaho is on an extended bench this week which would be odd if he's being shovelled along.

 

[vvvrulz]

Omar Slaimankhel, he was appalling for us in first grade I thought. Not just errors, not just the fact he couldn't score, but everytime he got it and rucked it up I cringed waiting for the inevitable knock on, or pick him up and drag him back 10 metres.

And the funny thing is there was a lot of rambling on about how Omar needs first grade games, is a superstar, has potential to replace Locke and Fish etc.

He was completely out of his depth. Really goes to show the daylight between that and first grade, some like Hurrell / Laumape make the transition and grow and others just perish.

 

[hitman82]

Sam Rapira extended to 2015

 

[One Warrior]

Sam Rapira extended to 2015

Well at least we had one piece of good news today, here is official confirmation of Rapira's contract extension for 2015.

Sam Rapira's contract extended
Richard Becht
Friday 6 September 2013 10:17 PM

Sam Rapira?s landmark week has been topped off with confirmation his Vodafone Warriors contract has been extended to the end of the 2015 NRL season. Photo: Photosport
The 26-year-old Rapira, off contract at the end of 2014, brought up his 150th milestone appearance in the record 50-16 win against Canberra last Saturday night and will again start in this Saturday night?s critical final regular season clash against St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Of the 2013 squad only Jerome Ropati (2003), Manu Vatuvei (2004) and Simon Mannering (2005) started their careers with the Vodafone Warriors before Rapira made his debut as a 19-year-old against Wests Tigers in 2006.
After becoming the ninth member of the Vodafone Warriors' 150-game club, Rapira's contract extension leaves him on track to join the elite group of players who have appeared in 10 NRL seasons for the club; Stacey Jones, Awen Guttenbeil, Lance Hohaia, Jerome Ropati and Manu Vatuvei have already qualified while Mannering will do so next year and Rapira in 2015.
?Sam delivers a level of consistency in his performances which makes him such an asset for us,? said Vodafone Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell.
?While he?s still only 26 he is one of our most experienced players, one who has proved his quality time and time again and will continue to do so.?
Managed by Peter Brown, Rapira has rebounded from an injury-disrupted 2012 to feature regularly throughout 2013. Indeed he has missed only two of the Vodafone Warriors? games this season as he eyes his 22nd appearance on Saturday. He?ll start against the Dragons with 25-year-old rookie Suaia Matagi again as his fellow front rower.
Aside from Rapira?s 150 appearances, the Vodafone Warriors boast substantial experience among the front rowers in their squad. Jacob Lillyman plays his 100th game for the club on Saturday and the 162nd of his career while Ben Matulino lifts his tally to 132. Injured Russell Packer has played 110 NRL games.
SAM RAPIRA
Born: April 8, 1987
Birthplace: Hamilton, NZ
Position: Prop
Height: 184cm
Weight: 105kg
Junior Club: Hukanui
Previous Clubs: Nil
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Wests Tigers, Mount Smart Stadium, May 2, 2006 (Round 11)
Club Number: 131
NRL Career: 150 appearances 2006-2013
NRL Points: 48 points (12 tries)
Representative: 13 Tests for Kiwis, 200-2011, Rugby League World Cup 2008

http://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/Sam-Rapiras-contract-extended/83890

 

[One Warrior]

Finally it is confirmed, Sam Tomkins has signed with us until end of 2016.

Tomkins signs with Vodafone Warriors
Richard Becht
Monday 23 September 2013 11:58 PM

England superstar Sam Tomkins will swap Super League’s Wigan Warriors for the NRL’s Vodafone Warriors after being officially confirmed today as one of the biggest signings in the Auckland club’s history. Photo: Photosport
The 24-year-old fullback will move to New Zealand later in the year after England’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign to take up a three-year contract with the Mount Smart Stadium club.
Tomkins will give the Vodafone Warriors arguably the most exceptional try-scorer in the game today as they look forward to marking the club’s 20th season in 2014 since entering the NRL in 1995.
This year alone he has 34 tries in a total of 24 Super League and Challenge Cup matches – including one in Wigan’s Challenge Cup final win at Wembley last month – while his career tally runs at almost a try a game (144 in 150 games). He also has a try-a-game strike rate for England at Test level.
Confirming his signing overnight (NZ time), Tomkins said he was hugely excited about challenging himself in the NRL.
“I still have business to take care of with Wigan but I’m over the moon knowing I’ll be with the Vodafone Warriors for the next three years,” he said.
“I was thrilled to meet up with (owner) Eric Watson and the club has been terrific throughout. They flew Mum out to New Zealand so they could show her around and she was absolutely blown away by what Auckland had to offer. I was in New Zealand with England for the Four Nations in 2010 and loved what I saw then.
“For me this is about taking another step up in my career by testing myself in the NRL. It has always been a goal of mine and now it’s going to happen.
“I’m really grateful to Wigan for helping to make this possible by giving me an early release. I love the club and the people here and always will but this is the next big step for me.”
The Vodafone Warriors secured Tomkins ahead of a number of other NRL clubs as well as rugby union clubs in France and the United Kingdom.
Owner Eric Watson hailed the signing as one of the most significant since he took over the Vodafone Warriors in late 2000.
“Sam is unquestionably among the biggest names in the game today, certainly the biggest in England,” he said.
“I’ve been so impressed in the dealings I’ve had with him and I couldn’t be more excited about seeing him play for the Vodafone Warriors. I have every confidence he’s going to make his mark in the NRL.”
Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott said Tomkins’ arrival would provide a huge boost to the club’s 2014 NRL campaign.
“Sam’s an exciting addition to our squad, a world-class player who supports the direction we want to go in with this club,” he said.
“I’m certainly looking forward to working with him and seeing what he will bring to our team. Signing a player of this calibre is hugely significant for us.”
Elliott pointed to the Burgess brothers at South Sydney as well as the Bulldogs’ James Graham as examples of players moving from the United Kingdom to make their mark in the competition. In recent times Adrian Morley and Gareth Ellis also impressed when they switched from the English Super League while the Vodafone Warriors recently announced they had signed 18-year-old Leeds forwards Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks to join their NYC squad next season.
Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club deeply appreciated the role Wigan owner and chairman Ian Lenagan had played in making the signing possible.
“We have enormous respect for Ian and Wigan for the way they’ve handled this process,” he said.
“They’ve been fantastic in working with Sam to enable him to fulfil his desire to join the Vodafone Warriors and play in the NRL. It’s a thrill for us being able to sign him, a huge day in our history.”
Lenagan said Tomkins would leave Wigan with the club’s full support.
“We have a principle of developing players to enable them to take up opportunities at the highest level, like playing in the NRL,” he said.
“We have the greatest admiration for the NRL and are fully aware of how highly the players regard it.
“We’re disappointed to see Sam going but we want to give him this opportunity. Sam knows that there will always be a place for him to one day return to his hometown club.”
Tomkins’ signing also underlines the sister club relationship developed recently, which has included reciprocal visits. Wigan general manager Kris Radlinski spent time at the Vodafone Warriors recently while Vodafone Warriors assistant coach Ricky Henry visited Wigan in July. Scurrah and Vodafone Warriors general manager Football operations Dean Bell also visited Wigan earlier this season.
Scurrah said both clubs plan to combine on a number of initiatives in the future.
SAM TOMKINS
Born: March 23, 1989
Birthplace: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
Position: Fullback/Standoff
Height: 180cm
Weight: 83kg
Junior Clubs: Chorley Panthers, Wigan St Patrick’s
Previous Clubs: Wigan Warriors 2008-2013
Debut: Wigan v Whitehaven, JJB Stadium, May 12, 2008 (Challenge Cup)
Career Games: 150 appearances 2008-2013
Career Points: 646 points (144 tries, 35 goals, 2 field goals)
Representative: 20 Tests for England 2009-2013 (21 tries)

http://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/Tomkins-signs-with-Vodafone-Warriors/84978

 

[hitman82]

amended to include godberry sauce.