NZ Warriors 2026 Round 2 Review: Warriors’ Second-Half Surge Sinks Raiders

After their strong Round 1 victory over the Roosters, the Warriors stayed at home to host the Raiders, who were coming off a Golden Point win against the Sea Eagles in Round 1.

Played in wet conditions, the Warriors proved far too strong. They ran in 40 unanswered points, including 34 in the second half, to cruise to a 40–6 victory and improve their record to 2–0.

What Went Down

The Raiders struck first in the 4th minute after an early penalty against Jacob Laban handed them excellent field position. Crisp ball-playing from Joe Tapine and Ethan Sanders opened up the defensive line, sending Kaeo Weekes through a yawning gap to score the opening try of the contest.

Despite losing Kurt Capewell in the warm-up and later Chanel Harris-Tavita to a Category 1 HIA after connecting with the hip of Noah Martin, the hosts managed to respond. The Raiders’ discipline began to slip, and the Warriors capitalised in the 13th minute. A smooth shift to the right edge created space for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who slid underneath the scrambling defence to score in the corner.

Points remained hard to come by in a grinding first half, but the Warriors managed to draw level in the 33rd minute when Tanah Boyd slotted a penalty goal after a late tackle from Hudson Young on replacement Taine Tuaupiki. The kick brought the scores even and ensured the sides went into the break locked together.

The second half began perfectly for the home side. Just after the restart, in the 41st minute, an ill-timed Raiders pass was picked off by Ali Leiataua, who intercepted the ball and raced away to score, handing the Warriors a lead they would never relinquish.

Momentum continued to build when Boyd produced a clever grubber in the 48th minute. The kick sat up perfectly for the chasing Leka Halasima, who won the race to the ball and grounded it in the in-goal to extend the advantage.

From there, the final twenty minutes belonged entirely to the Warriors. Their defensive pressure paid off just after the hour mark, forcing another Raiders error deep in their own end. In the 62nd minute, some terrific ball-playing from Erin Clark drew in the defence and created space for Jackson Ford, who powered over the line.

The match was effectively sealed in the 67th minute when Halasima grabbed his second. Receiving early ball on the edge, the young back-rower fended away from multiple defenders and stormed his way to the try line.

Boyd capped off an excellent individual performance in the 74th minute with a memorable solo effort. After a 40/20 turned the pressure back onto the Raiders, Boyd put a grubber through, which ricocheted off several legs before Clark kicked the ball back, straight into Boyd’s path for the halfback to slam down. The finishing touch came in the 77th minute. Boyd again targeted the edge with a well-placed cross-field kick toward Savelio Tamale. Watene-Zelezniak timed his leap perfectly, soaring above the contest to grab his second try of the night and cap off a dominant performance from the Warriors.

My Thoughts

Well, that was another unexpected surprise. I had predicted a Warriors victory; however, I was expecting a tight tussle. I came into this match nervous, as it was on my birthday, the Warriors had never won a match on the 13th of March before, and I could not be happier that they broke that hoodoo in such a big way.

For much of the first half, the contest was fairly even; both sides were battling the elements and struggling to build momentum. However, the second half is where the game truly opened up. The Warriors piled on 34 points after the break, turning this into a very one-sided match. The conditions were horrible, but the Warriors handled them better than the Raiders. Thier patience stood out as the match progressed; they resisted the urge to force plays and instead built pressure through solid sets and field position. Once that pressure became too much, the Raiders simply struggled to keep up.

Just like last week, the Warriors pack laid the platform, winning the middle consistently, all the more impressive given that James Fisher-Harris had to leave the field for an HIA test. This saw the spine take control of the match, with Taine Tuaupiki making the most of his opportunity after the early exit of Chanel Harris-Tavita. With Tanah Boyd stepping up once again, the points started to flow.

Defensively, there was also plenty to like. The Raiders are a hard team to keep to a low score. Besides a soft try in the early stages and some issues restricting thier offload game, the Warriors did a great job limiting thier opportunites and driving the Raiders' players back to keep them on the back foot.

It wasn't a flawless performance by any means, with plenty of areas for improvement, and with a few stars nearing a return soon, we should see the Warriors take another level, which is an exciting prospect for what 2026 could deliver.

There was plenty to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The most impressive aspect of the performance was the Warriors’ second-half dominance. After heading into the break locked at 6–6, they returned with greater control and intent, eventually piling on 34 unanswered points. Their fitness and composure stood out as the game wore on, as they continued to build pressure before striking repeatedly once the momentum shifted in their favour.

Another encouraging aspect of the performance was the Warriors’ resilience in the face of early disruption. With late injury concerns heading into the match and an early concussion forcing a reshuffle during the game, the side could easily have lost its structure. Instead, the Warriors adapted well, maintaining their composure and continuing to control the contest. The way they reorganised and stayed disciplined highlighted the group's leadership, belief in each other, and ability to manage the game despite setbacks.

Defensively, the Warriors grew into the match and became increasingly physical as it progressed. Their line speed and contact through the middle made it difficult for the Raiders to build any rhythm in attack. By consistently winning the collision and driving Canberra backwards, the Warriors were able to shut down their momentum and create the platform for their dominant second-half surge.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

Despite the convincing result, the Warriors’ edge defence still had a few shaky moments. The Raiders were able to create space out wide on several occasions and looked dangerous when shifting the ball. The wet conditions prevented some of those opportunities from turning into clean breaks or tries, but against stronger attacking teams in better conditions, those defensive gaps could be punished more consistently.

Another area the Warriors will want to tighten up is limiting second-phase play through the middle. At times, the Raiders kept the ball alive with offloads, allowing them to maintain momentum during certain sets. While it didn’t translate into many points, Canberra finished the match with 13 offloads to the Warriors’ 2, highlighting how often they extended their plays. Against stronger attacking teams, allowing that much second-phase football could put far more pressure on the defensive line.

Lastly, the Warriors have a growing injury toll. With Kurt Capewell and Chanel Harris-Tavita both ruled out and added to the casualty ward, the side is starting to feel the strain. The new extended bench has helped, allowing talents like Taine Tuaupiki to step into the contest and make an impact, but the Warriors will need a bit of luck in the injury department if they hope to remain genuine contenders later in the season. Managing the workload and keeping key players available will be crucial as the campaign progresses.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Jackson Ford.

Ford could have easily been our selection last week, but I went with Tanah Boyd, and this week it was a toss-up between the two again. In the end, Ford’s performance was impossible to ignore. He played 76 minutes, leading the forwards with 154 metres from 16 carries, including six powerful tackle-breaks. He also topped the tackle count with 37 and scored a crucial try that helped swing momentum firmly in the Warriors’ favour. Ford has always been reliable to put in the hard yards, but in the past, silly errors and occasional lapses in discipline have held him back a little. It’s clear he has worked hard on eliminating those mistakes from his game, and the Warriors are reaping the rewards. His outstanding output has also helped reduce the hole left by Mitch Barnett’s current injury, giving the side greater stability through the middle.

Warrior to Improve

I don’t have a single Warrior to call out this week because none of the 17 that featured let the team down, or they simply didn't play enough minutes to be judged fairly. They weren’t all perfect, but every player gave it their all, and that’s all you can really ask for.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

Round 3 sees the Warriors head across the ditch for the first time in 2026 to face the Knights, who defeated the Sea Eagles 36-16, but it was at a cost, with both Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown suffering injuries, which should see them miss this clash against the Warriors.

Regarding the team I would pick, both Kurt Capewell and Chanel Harris-Tavita will miss this match. Halasima keeps that starting second-row spot, and I would move Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into five-eighth, as I prefer his experience to Luke Hanson's, plus it allows Taine Tuaupiki to play at fullback. The only other change depends on whether Mitch Barnett is available for selection. If he is ready to go, then Tanner Stowers-Smith gets dropped, despite his strong showing.

The Knights have looked good in thier back-to-back wins in the first two rounds, but the losses of Ponga and Brown take a lot of wind out of their sails. That does not make them easy beats, though, with strike weapons like Bradman Best, Dominic Young and Greg Marzhew all ready to break a game apart at will. 

For the Warriors to get the win here, it's not a surprise, it's the same plan we saw against the Raiders, they need their pack to control the middle of the field again, get those quick play the balls, and give thier halves as much time as possible to play thier pressure-based game. On the other side of the ball, they need to have a quick kick chase, communicate when the Knights shift the ball and wrap up the ball carrier to eliminate the offloads. If they can tick all those boxes, they should move to 3-0, which is what I am predicting, with the Warriors winning by 18.

So, that was a dominant Round 2, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Which Warriors player stood out to you the most?

With CHT missing this week, who would be your 6?

How confident are you that this is the Warriors' standard now?

What is your score prediction against the Knights?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 1 Review: Warriors Make Early Statement in Roosters Rout

With the preseason now behind us, the NRL season is underway, and Round 1 saw the New Zealand Warriors open their campaign at home against the Sydney Roosters.

The Warriors wasted no time getting started, dominating the Roosters on their way to a comfortable 42–18 victory.

What Went Down

The home side struck first in the 10th minute when Tanah Boyd dummied at the line and slid over near the posts to finish off a strong early period of pressure. Boyd converted his own try to give the Warriors an early 6–0 lead.

The Sydney Roosters hit back five minutes later. In the 15th minute, Billy Smith broke through on the left edge and found captain James Tedesco in support, who crossed for his 150th career try,  and his 100th for the club. Sam Walker converted to level the scores at 6 all.

That was as good as it got for the visitors in the opening half. The Roosters’ errors and repeated infringements put pressure on them, and the Warriors took full advantage. Adam Pompey was awarded a try in the 23rd minute after a lengthy bunker review, before Kurt Capewell sliced through on a sharp inside line off Chanel Harris-Tavita in the 27th minute.

The Warriors continued to build momentum when Harris-Tavita crossed himself in the 33rd minute, finishing a slick left-edge movement after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck created space out wide. With Boyd converting from the sideline, the Warriors surged to a 22–6 halftime lead, having dominated both territory and possession.

Any hopes of a Roosters comeback were dented almost immediately after the break when Leka Halasima snatched a Boyd kick to score at the 46th minute with his first touch of the ball to extend the lead. To their credit, the Roosters responded with a brief period of momentum. Smith finished neatly in the corner in the 50th minute, before Angus Crichton backed up a Tedesco break to score in the 55th minute, cutting the margin to 28–18 with more than 20 minutes still to play.

The Warriors steadied soon after. Boyd added a penalty goal in the 59th minute to push the lead back out and halt the Roosters’ momentum.

From there, the home side closed the contest out strongly. Harris-Tavita grabbed his second try in the 75th minute after clever aerial work from Tuivasa-Sheck, before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad sealed the result with a late try in the 78th minute after breaking through on the right edge, seeing the Warriors end thier first game of the season in a commanding 42–18 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, that was not the performance I expected. I had predicted a Roosters win, mainly due to my concerns about the Warriors’ halves and the Roosters’ talent across the park. Thankfully, I was well off the mark.

The Warriors controlled the match from start to finish, and aside from a brief period in the second half, it never really felt like the Roosters were in the contest. It was far from a flawless performance, but when it comes to starting the season on the right foot, the Warriors certainly ticked that box.

It must also be said that the Roosters did themselves few favours. They were poor with the ball, making plenty of errors that continually handed the Warriors the momentum. Their discipline also left a lot to be desired, which kept them on the back foot for much of the night. While they spent plenty of time complaining about some of the calls that went against them, from my seat in the stadium, it felt like they were fortunate not to have conceded even more six-again rulings, given how often they were slowing the ruck.

With several key players still on the sidelines, the next-man-up mentality was on full display. Those called upon stepped up and did an excellent job. The young forwards helped the experienced heads maintain momentum, while Tanah Boyd produced one of his best performances to date. Out wide, the backs looked far more dangerous than they did in 2025 and combined well with strong support play.

Defensively, there were still a few issues that will need attention. However, keeping a side as talented as the Roosters to just a handful of somewhat fortunate tries is a solid start.

I’ll admit I’m still trying to wrap my head around the new interchange rule. At times, it felt like Andrew Webster was reluctant to make changes, but it’s early days, and everyone will be learning how the new rules affect game plans.

Overall, it was an impressive start to the season. If the Warriors can make this level of performance their baseline each week, it could turn into a very good year.

There was plenty to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

Once the Warriors gained momentum in the first half, they were ruthless. Tries to Adam Pompey, Kurt Capewell, and Chanel Harris-Tavita came from well-executed attacking shapes and strong support play, highlighting the cohesion between the spine and the edges. The ball movement was crisp, the timing of their runs created space, and they made the Roosters pay for defensive lapses. By halftime, the Warriors had turned their pressure into points and built a commanding lead that set the tone for the rest of the match. If they can maintain that level of attacking execution for the full 80 minutes each week, they should find themselves in the winner’s circle more often than not.

The Warriors’ middle forwards consistently won the ruck battle early, allowing the halves to play on the front foot. That platform gave the halves time and space to organise, making their shapes look far more structured and dangerous. The work through the middle was reflected in the numbers, with four forwards topping 100 running metres: Jackson Ford (218m), James Fisher-Harris (157m), Tanner Stowers-Smith (134m), and Erin Clark (128m). Their strong carries and quick play-the-balls helped the Warriors build pressure and keep the Roosters on the back foot for long periods.

When the Sydney Roosters scored twice and cut the margin to 10 points, the Warriors could easily have let the momentum swing further against them. Instead, they stayed composed, tightened up defensively, and focused on completing their sets. The penalty goal from Boyd helped steady things and halt the Roosters’ surge, before late tries allowed the Warriors to regain control and pull away on the scoreboard. It was an encouraging sign of maturity, especially after their composure slipped away at times in 2025.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

While the Warriors were generally solid defensively, they looked vulnerable when the Sydney Roosters were able to generate second-phase play. Offloads and broken-field situations briefly disrupted the Warriors’ defensive structure, particularly during the Roosters’ second-half fightback. When the defensive line was forced to scramble, players like James Tedesco were able to exploit the extra space and create opportunities. It didn’t cost the Warriors on the scoreboard in the end, but it was one of the few periods where the Roosters were able to apply genuine pressure. Tightening their control in the tackle and limiting offloads will be important moving forward, especially against sides that thrive on second-phase play.

The Warriors briefly lost momentum when the Roosters scored through Billy Smith and Angus Crichton. During this period, the defensive intensity dropped, and the line became stretched, allowing the Roosters back into the contest and putting unnecessary pressure on the Warriors’ attack. It showed that even when a team is playing well, a short lapse in focus can give opponents a foothold. Maintaining intensity and concentration for the full 80 minutes will be crucial if the Warriors want to limit these momentum swings and ensure that they close out games that get a bit too close for comfort.

While the Warriors dominated large parts of the game, the Roosters still found space on the edges at times, particularly when the defensive line was stretched or slow to shift. A few missed tackles and gaps in communication allowed the Roosters to make small gains that, if they didn't have issues with their ball handling, could have proved costly. This was an issue the Warriors struggled with last year as well, so it needs to be addressed immediately. With the next few rounds coming up against very capable sides who will look to exploit these weaknesses, improving spacing, sharpening slide defence, and tightening communication across the edges will be crucial.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Tanah Boyd.

I’ll admit that Boyd was my biggest concern coming into this match. I’ve always thought he was a capable backup half, but he has been criticised for not always playing the most eyes-up style of footy. In this game, however, he more than answered those concerns. He took on the line far more often, finishing the night with 90 metres from 11 runs, and when he engaged the defensive line, it created opportunities for those around him.

He also made his mark on the scoreboard, scoring a well-taken try and setting up two more with some clever kicking. His general play kicking game was strong as well, finishing with 354 kicking metres. Defensively, he was reliable for a half, making 20 tackles with only three misses. Boyd has said he wants to prove he can hold onto the halfback role long term, and while I still think Luke Metcalf walks straight back into that spot when fit, performances like this might at least give Andrew Webster something to think about.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Ali Leiataua.

It was difficult to single out a Warrior to improve after such an impressive win, but I’ve gone with Ali Leiataua due to a couple of costly defensive lapses. He struggled at times marking Billy Smith, which led to the first two tries for the Sydney Roosters.

With the ball in hand, he was solid enough, finishing with 92 metres from eight runs, but if he wants to cement a regular first-grade spot, he’ll need to significantly improve his defensive positioning and decision-making. The competition for that centre spot isn’t particularly strong at the moment, so he should have time to work on those areas without immediate pressure on his place. That said, I’m still an advocate for shifting Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to centre and bringing Taine Tuaupiki into the side at fullback.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

Round 2 sees the Warriors remain in Auckland, hosting the Raiders, who defeated the Sea Eagles 29-28 in Golden Point to kick off their season.

Regarding the team, I would pick the same side; no one played badly enough to be dropped, with the only change depending on whether Mitch Barnett is available for selection. If he is ready to go, then Tanner Stowers-Smith gets dropped, despite his strong showing.

The Raiders have been overlooked by many pundits during the preseason, with plenty suggesting the departure of Jamal Fogarty would prove costly. However, they looked impressive in Round One. It wasn’t a perfect performance, as they conceded a fair share of errors and penalties, although the poor conditions certainly didn’t help. One thing they did well was utilise second-phase footy, generating momentum through offloads. That’s an area the Warriors will need to tighten up quickly, as failing to shut that down could create problems.

The Raiders will lose a bit of experience and punch in the middle with Josh Papalii sidelined after failing his HIA, but this is still a quality side that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

For the Warriors to come out on top, they’ll need to start strongly and maintain their intensity for the full 80 minutes. Winning the middle through a dominant forward performance will be crucial, as will moving the ball well and sticking to their pressure-based game: kicking deep, chasing hard, and forcing the Raiders’ young halves to play under pressure.

It won’t be an easy contest, but I’m backing the Warriors to get the job done with a 12-point win.

So, that was an impressive Round 1, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who was your player of the day?

Would you make any changes to the 19?

How do you feel about the Warriors' chances this year?

What is your score prediction against the Raiders?

NZ Warriors 2026 Season Preview: The Next Step Forward or Stuck in the Middle?

We are finally here. The NRL is back, and the Round One start in Vegas is now just days away. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve broken down the five players I believe will stand out in 2026, as well as the five who need to lift. Now, it’s time to look at the bigger picture and predict how the Warriors’ season will unfold.
As I did last year, this preview is split into key sections: a look at the preseason and trial results, my signing of the year, a breakdown of the 2026 squad, my predicted Round One 19, and finally, where I see the Warriors finishing on the ladder in 2026.

As always, these are just my thoughts and opinions. I’m keen to hear yours too, so let me know what you think and let’s talk some footy.

Preseason News: Rehab Room Full, Rule Book Revised

After a disappointing year in 2024, I came into the 2025 season down on confidence and predicted a 10th-place finish, however the Warriors started the year strong and, despite losing key figures like Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf, ended the year in 6th position before bowing out of the competition after losing to the Penrith Panthers in the first week of finals.

While fans were able to switch off over the offseason, the Warriors certainly didn’t. The club continued to strengthen its pathways, with strong programs in the Harold Matthews Cup, where they’re chasing a three-peat — as well as Jersey Flegg, SG Ball and NSW Cup. The NSW Cup side, fresh off bringing championship success in 2025, shapes as an early contender to go back-to-back.

The NRLW squad has also taken shape, with the signings of Gayle Broughton, Mele Hufanga, Annetta Nuuausala and Stacey Waaka significantly boosting their premiership credentials. These pathways and women’s programs are crucial to building sustained success, and while we’ve already seen promising young talent emerge, there’s plenty more ready to rise through the ranks.

The club also secured the signing of Alofiana Khan-Pereira, adding further strike power to the roster. He was included in a strong Warriors contingent selected for the 2026 All Stars match, alongside Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, James Fisher-Harris and Adam Pompey, a clear reflection of the depth and quality building within the club.

The NRL was also busy in the offseason, announcing a batch of rule tweaks for 2026 that could subtly shift how teams approach games. Trainers are now limited to entering the field only in clearly defined situations, keeping player safety front and centre while reducing unnecessary stoppages. Interchange rules have also been adjusted: teams can now rotate four players up to eight times from a six-player bench, meaning coaches will have to be even smarter with their rotations and interchange selections. In-goal play has changed too, with the “zero tackle” ruling removing the automatic seven-tackle set after an accidental knock-on by the attacking side. Finally, certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line will now restart the tackle count, replacing the old 40-metre threshold, a subtle tweak that could influence field position strategies.

The Warriors fans continue to impress with thier support, selling out the June 21 match against the Cowboys in Christchurch in five days, five months before the game is even played. After selling out most of their Mt Smart games in 2025, you will imagine that they are on track to do it again in 2026. The team has to get results, of course, but if the fans continue to pack out any stadium they play in, it will make for an intimidating arena for their opposition, and I can't wait to be part of that atmosphere again.

The roster has had a few changes, but I will keep that for my 2026 squad section below.

Lastly, let's talk about the trials.

The first preseason outing saw the Warriors head down to Napier to face the Sea Eagles, where they went down 33-18. Despite several big names out due to injury or on All-Star duty, there was enough talent with first-grade experience to give the Warriors the edge; however, it was not to be, with an error-riddled performance keeping the Warriors on the back foot. They struggled to keep thier defensive line in check. They offered very little on attack, with most of their points coming from lucky breaks. The new signings didn't spark much confidence, with the only highlights for me being Demitric Vaimauga and Tanner Stowers-Smith, alongside a few of the youngsters showing a glimpse of thier potential in a few years. Not the best way to kick off 2026, but plenty of lessons to take.

The Warriors then wrapped up the trials by heading to Leichardt Oval to face the Dolphins, suffering another defeat, this time 38-34. A few more of the Warriors' stars appeared in this match against a near full-strength Dolphins team and while they did get rundown towards the end when the youngsters were all playing I felt it was a better effort, still too many errors and missed opportunties and poor defensive reads but the forwards were getting a roll on consistently and on the back of that Tanah Boyd and Luke Hanson looked more at ease in the halves putting togther some nice attacking phases with the backline, which the team needs to see more of with Luke Metcalf out for atleast the first six rounds. 

The trials were a bit hit-and-miss for me; it's hard to judge without the full-strength side playing the entire 80, but there were enough positives to take from those matches to let me come into the 2026 regular season nervous but slightly optimistic.

Key Signing: Morgan Gannon

Gannon is a forward who combines toughness, skill and a relentless work rate with strong defensive reliability. Initially brought in as a locking option, he now faces the challenge of forcing his way into a regular spot in the 17.

He has the engine to play big minutes and contribute on both sides of the ball, and a fresh start at the Warriors offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover his best form. If he can stay healthy, add more impact with the ball and develop into a consistent line-running threat in 2026, he could quietly become one of the side’s most dependable forwards, the type whose true value is measured by what the team gains when he’s on the field.

His trial form was mixed, with a quiet first outing followed by a much stronger second performance, where he set up a nice try for Wayde Egan and worked tirelessly through the middle. With confidence and time, I believe he has all the tools to deliver the impact he’s capable of.

2026 Squad: Depth To Be Tested Early

The Warriors saw a mass exodus at the end of 2025, with Bunty Afoa (Wests Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Toby Crosby (Panthers), Kalani Going (Panthers), Moala Graham-Taufa (Rabbitohs), Edward Kosi (Rabbitohs), Freddy Lussick (Panthers) and Setu Tu (Dragons) all moving on. They also welcomed four new players with the signings of Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jye Linnane (Knights) and Haizyn Mellars (Rabbitohs).

The Warriors head into 2026 with a squad that retains its core strength from 2025 but will have its depth tested early on with Luke Metcalf, Mitch Barnett, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Marata Niukore, Te Maire Martin and Rocco Berry all in the casualty ward. We will all be waiting for Luke Metcalf to return but the players chosen to fill his boots in the early stages of the season will be pivotal to where the Warriors are sitting when they get to full strength, Wayde Egan will once again play a key role, providing the halves time and space to unlock the backline, and with the halves depth a bit light right now they will all need to stay healthy as the Warriors can't afford any more injuries.

In the backline, you have the experienced heads that will lead the way, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, and with Taine Tuaupiki, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Haizyn Mellars in the squad, there is competition for spots, so hopefully that means we will see a lift from all the outside backs. The centres are trickier with Adam Pompey, the only lock-in each week. Ali Leiataua has plenty of potential but needs to stay on the field, and Rocco Berry needs to stay injury-free this year, or the Warriors may need to cut their losses and move on.

The forward pack remains a major strength for the Warriors, offering both power and defensive solidity in the middle. James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett (when he returns) must set the platform and lead the way. Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark and Marata Niukore will all need to dig in and help the Co-Captains and set an example for the youngsters in the roster. We saw growth from players like Leka Halasima, Demitric Vaimauga, and Jacob Laban last year. They will need to find another level this season as they will be looked at to contribute more, and the likes of Morgan Gannon, Tanner Stowers-Smith, and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava may have to bide thier time. Still, when given their chances, they will need to hit the ground running.

My Round One 19 was tough to pick, and I've had to make some assumptions about players' availability. Chanel Harris-Tavita, Mitch Barnett and Marata Niukore have all been left out by me, as we have had no certain news on whether they will be ready to go in Round 1. I've kept Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback, although I am in the camp to move him to the centres, giving Taine Tuaupiki a chance out the back, but with the current outs, I'm sticking with experience. On the wings, I'm going with last year's picks in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. DWZ is on a short leash, with AKP a straight swap if DWZ's form doesn't pick up. For the centres, I've selected Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey. Ali showed some good moments in both trials, and Pompey is the best option consistently right now and deserves his spot. In the halves, I've gone with the two we saw in both trials in Tanah Boyd and Luke Hanson. If CHT is fit, then he slots in for Hanson, but they are the best the Warriors have for those spots right now.

The forward pack selects itself, I've gone with a James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan and Jackson Ford front row as it seems logical. In the second row, it was a bit harder, but I went with Kurt Capewell and Jacob Laban, with Laban showing more in the All Stars and trials than Leka Halasima. Erin Clark takes the lock spot after such a strong 2025 and solid enough outings in the trials.

The bench is the toughest part, with so many talented players left to pick from, and figuring out how to use the six-man bench. I've gone with Sam Healey as my bench hooker. I think a combination of him and Egan each week will keep opposition defences on their toes. My bench props, Demitric Vaimauga and Tanner Stowers-Smith, after the trials, look to be the next best middles. Then I've gone for Leka Halasima as my final traditional interchange player; his X-Factor was on full display in 2025, and the Warriors will be looking to him to create many more highlight reel moments this season. Then, for the final two spots, I've gone with Morgan Gannon as an overall forward cover and Taine Tuaupiki as my outside back cover.

My 2026 Prediction

Continuing my season preview trend, I was wrong last season when I predicted the Warriors would finish 10th.

It's a mixed bag across the ditch with the NRL Pundits; some believe the Warriors can be a finals contender, while others are predicting them to be a bottom-four side.

The early injuries and a tough beginning to the draw do have me worried, but I think this side can definitely be a finals side in 2026.

The pundits have rated the Warriors one of the more favourable draws, but it looks tough to me with the Warriors facing the Broncos, Panthers and Sharks twice. They have only 10 matches against sides from last year's top 8. Still, most fans will see the draw as before Metcalf and after Metcalf, with clashes in the first six rounds looking tough against the Roosters, Raiders, Sharks and Storm, all ready to derail the season before it even begins. Travel-wise, they dodge the tough trips to Townsville and Canberra for the second year in a row and get to start the season with back-to-back games at Mount Smart; however, there is a seven-week span where the Warriors will not be at Mount Smart, from Round 8 through to Round 14 (two of those Rounds being byes).

The Byes are all grouped together in the middle of the year, with the Warriors sitting out Round 10, 14 and 18. This sees them end the year with an unbroken nine-game stretch, which could test the squad's health.

If the Warriors can pick up a few wins in the first six weeks, stay injury-free, and build momentum in time for Metcalf to return, the Warriors put themselves in the driver's seat to make a strong run at the backend of the season and remain in the hunt for finals football. That said, this season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with so many sides looking better than they were in 2025, making my attempt at predictions difficult. I've had a sixth-place finish in mind for the Warriors for months, and I'm sticking with my gut. While they have the potential to improve and push for higher honours, so do many other teams. So, my prediction for 2026? Sixth place.

What I want to see from the Warriors is simple: stay healthy and consistently deliver what we all know they can do on the pitch. Keep the pressure on every side they face and never quit for the entire 80. If they can do that, more often than not, they will walk away winners.

So, let's bring on the season. I'm looking forward to finally having footy back, and while a first-up match-up against the Roosters is nerve-racking, I can't wait to get back to Mount Smart.

Once again, I will be writing weekly game reviews and releasing them every Monday throughout the season. I will also attend all the Warriors games at Mt Smart as well as the game in Wellington, so if you are there, come say hi.

I'm also continuing to host my show, The Stand-Off, on New Zealand Sport Radio with my good friend Richie every Wednesday night at 8pm NZ time, so come join us there as we discuss everything going on in League and answer your questions live. I'm sure I will still be joining several other podcasts focused on Warriors content throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye or ear out for me on all platforms.

If you like what I do here, please share my blog with your friends and comment on how you think the season will go.

So that's my take on the Warriors' upcoming season, and I just can't wait for Round One. As usual, I will leave you with some questions.

How is your confidence after the Trials? 

Which player do you think will be the standout performer? 

Who would be in your gameday 19? 

Where do you think the Warriors will finish in 2026?