Bold truth: happiness often hides in what you almost take for granted today, because the moment you’re clawing your way back to it tomorrow, you realize how everything you once valued could be fragile or fleeting. Now, let’s unpack a story that begins with a fracture and ends with a cold but clarifying reminder.
Remember the version of yourself from five years ago—the person who would have given anything just for a simple eye contact across a room, or for a single message that came back. That’s the central lesson here: appreciating small joys before they become distant memories.
In 2022, the New Zealand Warriors were the solitary figure in a crowded arena—adrift and longing for connection.
Round 1
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Note: Mick Crawley is a former attack coach for the Canberra Raiders.
Before they were known as the ‘Wahs’—before sell-out crowds, Dally M honors, and a revitalized national chorus—the Warriors operated in survival mode. It wasn’t just that they were losing; they were adrift, with a soul worn thin by travel.
For more than 1,000 days they lived out of suitcases across Australia, playing home games before borrowed crowds, while their deeper purpose seemed temporarily lost in motion.
When Nathan Brown left mid-season and the team collapsed to 15th on the ladder, leaking over 700 points, the club needed more than a coach; they needed a turning point—a moment that would rekindle belief.
Andrew Webster’s arrival from the Penrith system wasn’t merely a tactical shift; it was a lifeline for New Zealand rugby league. He took a roster that seemed to be waiting for a “text back” from its own fans and transformed it into a formidable force across the Tasman.
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THE DATA
The 2025 campaign showcased clinical efficiency that was ultimately halted by a cruel stroke of luck.
The Warriors finished among the league’s top five in defense, powered by a league-leading 81% completion rate. They were disciplined, professional, and sat in the top four for much of the year.
Yet the season fractured when Luke Metcalf’s injury struck late. Without his creative spark, the attack stalled. An elimination final defeat to Penrith served as a stark reminder that discipline builds a solid base, but it’s the moments of chaos that win championships.
ROSTER
The current squad leans into a power-based style.
The heavy lifting comes from a strong middle-third rotation featuring James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett, and Marata Niukore. Defensive toughness is anchored by veteran Kurt Capewell and the determined Erin Clark. This pack is engineered to win the meters on every set.
Looking ahead, a rising core of young players surrounds them: Tanner Stowers-Smith, Zyon Maiu’u, Leka Halasima, and Jacob Laban. They’re no longer mere prospects; they’re the kind of players who shift momentum with the right moment.
Webster’s spine brings real silky quality when the game opens up.
Wayde Egan remains one of the league’s most deceptive hookers, while Luke Metcalf, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Chanel Harris-Tavita provide refined ball handling and decision-making.
Out wide, Alofiana Khan-Pereira introduces true top-end speed to a backline that already handles the hard work, freeing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to operate with greater versatility on the wings.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, DWZ, and Demitric Vaimauga contribute strong kick-return meters, helping the Warriors start each set with a forward push.
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THE MAN
Andrew Webster operates with the calm, unassuming efficiency of an Ivy-leaguer turned coach—no ego, no fluff. He enjoys a rare stability alongside owner Mark Robinson and CEO Cameron George. Perhaps his sharpest move was reintroducing Andrew McFadden to lead pathways. McFadden’s influence is why the Warriors are collecting the best young talent in the game today, aiming not for a one-off surge but for a decade-long dynasty.
THE FINAL 5%
So what does success look like in 2026?
Webster has discipline and data on his side. The 2025 Warriors were exceptionally disciplined, nearly to a fault, ranking lower on offloads than most. That final 5% of growth—the bridge between a top-four finish and a Grand Final—might hinge on returning to that early, joyful style of football.
Rediscovering the classic Warriors approach: the offload game.
If Fisher-Harris and Barnett rejoin the ladder with the young guns, and if Webster’s clinical systems fuse with the team’s instinctive, second-phase play that once defined New Zealand rugby league, the juggernaut could become truly unstoppable.
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THE BIG BREAKDOWN - ANNIKA LEGG
STRENGTH
A blend of fresh signings and returning stars gave 2025 real momentum. The Warriors looked ready for a top-four run, until injuries to Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf derailed them. With both expected back and key off-season additions in place, the club is positioned for another finals push. Morgan Gannon (English Super League) and Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans) add experience and speed to the backline. Khan-Pereira should unlock the attack, allowing Watene-Zelezniak and Tuivasa-Sheck to shift to the wings for added depth. The season also featured breakout performances from Erin Clark (Dally M Lock of the Year nominee) and Leka Halasima (Rookie of the Year finalist), proving the Warriors can nurture top talent alongside established stars.
WEAKNESS
Forward depth remains a concern. While injuries were a major factor in 2025, the pack’s depth was lacking when key players were out. New signings help, but the core still leans on Barnett, Fisher-Harris, Capewell, and the developing forwards. If injuries strike again, the reserve strength must hold up.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Mitch Barnett. At 31, the captain has found his stride since joining in 2023, but an ACL injury in round 13 last year was a brutal setback. His return in the opening weeks will be crucial to steer the side back toward finals. Tanner Stowers-Smith may step in during Barnett’s absence, but the team will depend on Barnett reestablishing leadership and performance. This year could define whether he remains a cornerstone of the squad or transitions to a different role.
WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Luke Metcalf. Metcalf powered the 2025 surge, topping the Dally M leaderboard before an ACL injury in round 17. His return in round seven places heavy expectations on his shoulders. If the team relies on him to spark an early-season resurgence, there’s substantial pressure for a quick, impactful comeback.
THE RISING STAR
Leka Halasima. This 20-year-old made a major impression in 2025, earning a Dally M Rookie of the Year nomination and scoring 13 tries—tied for the team’s top scorer and matching a club record for forwards. With Metcalf and Barnett out early, Halasima is poised to build on his breakthrough and cement his status as a foundational Warrior. He’s hungry for another standout season.
PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
BEST 19
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Rocco Berry
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Luke Metcalf
- James Fisher-Harris
- Wayde Egan
- Mitch Barnett
- Kurt Capewell
- Leka Halasima
- Erin Clark
- Te Maire Martin
- Jacob Laban
- Morgan Gannon
- Marata Niukore
- Samuel Healey
- Taine Tuaupiki
WARRIORS SQUAD
Top 30: Adam Pompey (2027), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (2028), Ali Leiataua (2027), Chanel Harris-Tavita (2026), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (2027), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2026, 2027 MO), Demitric Sifakula (2028), Erin Clark (2027), Freddy Lussick (2026), Haizyn Mellars (2028), Jackson Ford (2027), Jacob Laban (2029), James Fisher-Harris (2028), Jye Linnane (2028), Kurt Capewell (2026), Leka Halasima (2029), Luke Metcalf (2028), Marata Niukore (2026), Mitchell Barnett (2027), Morgan Gannon (2028), Rocco Berry (2026), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2026), Sam Healey (2027), Selumiela Halasima (2027), Taine Tuaupiki (2026), Tanah Boyd (2026), Te Maire Martin (2026), Wayde Egan (2027)
Development players: Jett Cleary (2027)
2026 gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Gold Coast Titans), Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 losses: Bunty Afoa (Tigers), Tom Ale (Panthers), Moala Graham-Taufa (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edward Kosi (Rabbitohs)
Coach: Andrew Webster (2028)
