My Five Warriors That Must Improve In 2026

After last week’s list of players tipped to stand out in 2026, it’s now time to look at the five Warriors who have the most to prove this season. Only one player from last year’s list appears again, showing how things have shifted heading into the new campaign.
This group features players who need to lift certain areas of their game or finally deliver on their potential if the Warriors are to compete at the top level. Once again, the names are listed in no particular order.

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak starts the list for 2026.

Injuries and inconsistency made 2025 a frustrating season for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak following his outstanding form the year prior. When fit, his finishing ability and strong carries out of trouble remained valuable, but he struggled to build momentum and, at times, couldn’t replicate the impact that once made him one of the competition’s most dangerous wingers, ending the year with only 7 tries from 16 games. Errors and a lack of confidence kept him on the backfoot and defensive issues on his edge, while not always solely his fault, also became a talking point, with fans often nervously watching whenever opposition attacks were directed his way.

Heading into 2026, Watene-Zelezniak’s priority will be staying healthy and rediscovering the high-involvement style that made him so effective. The Warriors need him to consistently lead the yardage battle, finish opportunities, and make strong defensive reads on the edge. A full preseason and improved durability could see him return to being one of the side’s most important outside backs, but he’ll need to ensure his performances once again match the high standards he previously set, or he may find himself out of contention with several eager players ready to take his spot.

2. Rocco Berry

Rocco Berry endured a frustrating, injury-disrupted 2025, managing just nine appearances and playing the full 80 minutes only five times. In his limited time on the field, he scored three tries, recorded 12 tackle breaks and two line breaks, and made 115 tackles at 85.8% efficiency, while averaging 64 running metres per game. However, seven errors and his inability to stay consistently available again stalled his progress. The club has shown plenty of patience in his development, but with competition for centre spots increasing, Berry now finds himself under real pressure to deliver.

For Berry to take the next step in 2026, consistency and durability will be crucial. Improving his defensive reads, building stronger combinations with his winger, and becoming more assertive with the ball in hand will all be key areas of focus. The talent is clearly there, but the challenge now is turning those occasional standout performances into reliable week-to-week output. If he cannot maintain his fitness in 2026, the Berry experiment may have to come to an end

3. Chanze Nicoll-Klokstad

Perhaps the most controversial pick on my list, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, remained one of the Warriors' hardest workers in 2025, playing 22 games and providing a steady presence at fullback. He scored two tries, set up four more, broke 80 tackles, made six line breaks, and averaged 186 running metres per game. While his effort and work rate were never in question, I have him on this list because his attacking impact remains limited, and he lacks the X-factor to consistently trouble top sides.

In 2026, Nicoll-Klokstad will need to add greater attacking involvement to complement his work rate, particularly in support play and ball-playing around the ruck. Becoming a greater creative threat and injecting himself into attacking sets could help elevate both his own game and the team’s attacking structure. With competition for spine spots always looming, adding another dimension to his game could prove crucial for maintaining his role as the Warriors’ starting fullback.

4. Marata Niukore

For the second year in a row, Marata Niukore has made this list. His 2025 season was solid, but he didn’t perform consistently enough or add the impact his paycheque would suggest. Whether through the middle or on the edge, he brought effort and physicality, yet didn’t always impose himself on games as his talent demands. Occasional lapses in discipline and defensive mistakes at key moments also hurt the team in tight contests.

In 2026, Niukore’s challenge will be to turn reliability into impact. Running with greater intent, tightening his defensive reads, and leading through his actions up front could lift the pack’s overall performance. With several younger forwards all vying for his spot, he needs to deliver at his aggressive, damaging best, or be prepared to step aside for those ready to make their mark.

5. Kurt Capewell

Kurt Capewell brought experience and professionalism throughout 2025, but his impact was inconsistent at times. While he offered versatility and defensive stability, there were stretches where his attacking contributions were limited, and he struggled to consistently influence games—especially when the team relied on senior players to step up in tough moments. In his defence, being moved between the second row and the centre didn’t help him settle into a rhythm.

In 2026, Capewell will need to combine his experience with stronger on-field leadership, while also increasing his attacking involvement through sharper lines and improved ball-playing on the edge. As one of the squad’s senior figures, setting standards through both performance and communication will be crucial. A more assertive season could not only elevate his own game but also help the younger players around him raise their level.

So those were my picks for the Warriors players who need a big 2025. Next up is my season preview, but it will have to wait until the preseason games are complete. In that, I will cover the preseason news, the current roster, who my gameday 17 would be, and how I think the Warriors will fare in 2025. Until then, let me know what you think about my choice and who you think needs to improve the most in 2026.

My Five Warriors to Stand Out In 2026

With the 2026 NRL season fast approaching, and my Warriors season preview on hold until after the trials, I’m kicking off the year the same way I did in 2025, highlighting five players I believe are primed for big seasons in Warriors colours. Every season, a few players make the jump from solid contributors to genuine difference-makers, and 2026 shapes as a breakout year for several in the squad. These selections aren’t ranked, and while others were in contention, I’ve narrowed it down to five players I expect to stand out this season.

So let's just get into it.

1. Leka Halasima

First on my list is Leka Halasima.

Halasima emerged last season as one of the most exciting young forwards not just in the Warriors system, but across the entire NRL, quickly making headlines with his explosive carries and try-scoring impact. He finished the year as the club’s leading try scorer, claimed the Warriors Rookie of the Year award, and capped off his breakout season with his Tonga debut in the Pacific Championships.

Heading into 2026, Halasima remains one of the Warriors’ most dangerous young forwards, combining power and mobility with the confidence to attack the line rather than simply carry the ball. The challenge now is avoiding second-year syndrome, and if he can maintain that intensity across longer minutes, he has all the tools to take his game to another level and secure an even bigger role in the pack.

2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira

2025 was a challenging year for Khan-Pereira. After falling out of favour with Titans coach Des Hasler, he managed just 10 NRL appearances. Still, he crossed for 9 tries, the fourth-most at the club, and averaged 137 running metres per game. Defensive struggles, however, held him back, with a tackle efficiency of just 64.62% contributing to extended stints in reserve grade.

Few wingers in the competition boast Khan-Pereira’s combination of speed, athleticism and natural try-scoring instinct. Even a sliver of space is enough for him to finish, making him a constant threat on the edge. He may need to bide his time, with Andrew Webster favouring established combinations. Defensive improvements, along with growth in yardage, carries, and aerial contests, will be key to earning him his chance. Still, his raw speed is a weapon the Warriors desperately need, giving him every opportunity to become a major attacking threat in 2026.

3. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

2025 was a breakthrough year for Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. He played just five first-grade matches but made a bigger impact in 17 NSW Cup games, scoring 6 tries, making 6 line breaks, and delivering 11 offloads. His performances earned him a top-30 contract through to the end of 2028. A raw talent on both sides of the ball, Ieremia-Toeava looks set to become a regular fixture in the Warriors’ roster for years to come.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava enters 2026 as one of the Warriors’ most intriguing developing prospects. His versatility and work rate make him a valuable squad member, capable of filling roles through the middle or on an edge. While his first-grade opportunities have been limited so far, his performances outside the NRL have consistently shown reliability, smart decision-making, and a willingness to dig deep for his team. With a full preseason behind him, 2026 shapes as a real breakthrough chance. If he can earn trust defensively, Ieremia-Toeava could transition from depth player to a regular first-grade contributor.

4. Sam Healey

Sam Healey had limited first-grade opportunities in 2025, with Andrew Webster preferring Te Maire Martin on the bench. Still, in his 7 NRL appearances, he showed just how dangerous an attacker he can be. Healey was also a key part of the NSW Cup side’s championship-winning campaign, crossing for a try in the grand final and proving his ability to influence games when it mattered most.

Sam Healey could quietly play a key role for the Warriors in 2026, bringing X-factor and much-needed spark at dummy-half, a position that heavily influences how a team controls games. While he still has work to do on his service from the ruck, his attacking flair and ability to flip momentum make him a genuine threat. As the Warriors fine-tune their spine combinations, Healey could earn more minutes, given his ability to ignite the attack and manage the middle, which has proven crucial to the team’s performance.

5. Morgan Gannon

Rounding out my list is Morgan Gannon.

After injury-plagued years in 2023 and 2024, including sitting out the entire 2024 season due to head knocks, Morgan Gannon made the most of his final season with Leeds in 2025. He played 24 games, mainly in the second row or off the bench, and even spent one match at five-eighth, showing off his ball-playing skills. Gannon scored 7 tries and combined his attacking ability with solid defensive acumen, helping Leeds reach an elimination final before a narrow 16-14 loss to St Helens. While English imports have been hit-or-miss for the Warriors in the past, Gannon could be a valuable addition to the roster in 2026.

A forward who blends toughness, skill, and a high work rate with strong defensive reliability. Originally signed as a locking option, he now faces the challenge of earning a regular spot in the 17. Gannon can play big minutes and contribute on both sides of the ball, and a fresh start at the Warriors gives him the chance to rediscover his best form. If he can stay healthy, add more impact with the ball, and become a consistent line-running threat in 2026, he could quietly become one of the team’s most dependable forwards, the kind whose value is measured by what the side gains whenever he’s on the field.

So, those are my five Warriors players, I believe, who are best placed to stand out in the 2026 season. 

Next week I'll be turning my attention to the five players who must improve in 2026, those facing increased pressure or bigger expectations as the Warriors look to take thier campaign to another level. As always, let me know what you think of my selections and which Warriors you believe are set for a big year in 2026.