With the 2018 season drawing nearer, we will begin to look at how each team is shaping up for the season ahead.
Today, we take a look at the New Zealand Warriors – and what their best 17 looks like.
Warriors 2026 Player Movements
| 2026 Gains |
| Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos, 2028), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Gold Coast Titans, 2028), Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights, 2028), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2028) |
| 2026 Losses |
| Bunty Afoa (Wests Tigers), Tom Ale (Penrith Panthers), Toby Crosby (Penrith Panthers), Kalani Going (Penrith Panthers), Moala Graham-Taufa (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Freddy Lussick (Penrith Panthers), Setu Tu (St George Illawarra Dragons), Dylan Walker (Parramatta Eels) |
| Re-Signed |
| None |
| Off Contract 2026 |
| Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck |
2018 Predicted Lineup
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- Gerard Beale
- Peta Hiku
- Solomone Kata
- David Fusitu'a
- Blake Green
- Shaun Johnson
- Agnatius Paasi
- Issac Luke
- Adam Blair
- Leivaha Pulu
- Tohu Harris
- Simon Mannering
INTERCHANGE - Sam Lisone
- Albert Vete
- Bunty Afoa
- Ata Hingano
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Reserves: Mason Lino, Nathaniel Roache, Ken Maumalo, James Gavet.
The Big Question: There are a few. Will Tohu Harris catch the Warriors bug – where he’s all but reduced to a shadow of his former self? Has Stephan Kearney been able to instil a more hardnosed culture in camp New Zealand this off-season? Have they worked out the perfect formula on how to travel?
Predicted Finish: 16th
Authors Note: Same may very well believe that a predicted finish of 16th is a little too harsh – and I agree, the New Zealand Warriors are a team capable of a top-four finish – but I’ve officially lost all faith in this football side; who season after season continually field a team on paper which is capable of a top-four finish. In all reality though, they’ve missed out on playing playoffs footy for six years. Their finish in 2017 was possibly their worst yet. With a spine featuring Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke; the 13th position was far from respectable.
