Incoming NZ Warriors coach Nathan Brown has identified a list of players he hopes to recruit for the 2021 NRL season, according to reports.
On Saturday, Brown was unveiled as the Warriors' new coach on a three-year deal, replacing Stephen Kearney, who was sacked in June.
With Brown's duties not officially commencing until November 1, he plans to let interim Todd Payten continue his thing for the remainder of the season.
But he's already started conversations with Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan about beefing up the roster.
Speaking for the first time as coach of the Warriors, Brown identified St George Illawarra Dragons forward Jack de Belin as a target, although that depends on if he's acquitted in court on aggravated sexual assault charges.
If de Belin is acquitted, Brown said he would be an "outstanding acquisition."
"He'd be an outstanding signing for the club, what Jack would bring to the club," says Brown.
"As I said, the club were talking to Jack before I come to the table, a type that would be an outstanding acquisition."
But the list doesn't stop there with four other players also linked to the club.
According to 7 News, the Warriors have agreed to terms to sign Parramatta Eels prop Kane Evans on a two-year deal starting next year.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Brown is also chasing Dragons centre Euan Aitken, Wigan Warriors centre Oliver Gildart and Canterbury Bulldogs forward Adam Elliott.
Aitken's name has been linked to the Warriors before, while Gildart, who played one test for Great Britain last year, is also on the radar of the Bulldogs.
The Warriors have already signed Tongan international Ben Murdoch-Masila for next year while Cronulla Sharks forward Toby Rudolf has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal, but wants to back out, citing a family health issue.
There are at least 10 players on the Warriors roster who are off contract at the end of the season including Isaiah Papali'i and Peta Hiku.
Brown also said he plans to focus on developing the young players in and around the club in an attempt to stop other teams poaching them.
"For us, it's about improving the roster and improving players within the squad in the short-term," he says.
"We've got a great recruitment officer in Peter O'Sullivan, we've got a big junior base in New Zealand with what's been put in place and I feel the club can get a better shot at it, because it's a competitive market in junior recruitment.
"Whilst there's a lot of young talent that plays in New Zealand, there are a lot of clubs all over Australia and England that are chasing them.
"Trying to secure that best young talent is a key for the club to move forward and any time the club has had success, they've had it on the back of a crop of people like Stacey Jones, Ali Lauitiiti and then you move forward to Ivan's time with Ben Matulino and these blokes.
"Young Eli Katoa has come along this year and he looks a real fine prospect and if you generate a few more good young players, you make a couple of good recruiting decisions and the coaching staff gets some things right, you can find yourself moving up the ladder rather quickly."
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