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 2027 Player Movements
| 2027 Gains |
| Grant Anderson (Brisbane Broncos, 2029), Will Warbrick (Melbourne Storm, 2029) |
| 2027 Losses |
| Mitch Barnett (Brisbane Broncos), Luke Metcalf (St George Illawarra Dragons), Marata Niukore (Newcastle Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Wakefield Trinity) |
| Re-Signed |
| Tanah Boyd (2029), Erin Clark (2029), Chanel Harris-Tavita (2027), Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (2028), Jason Salalilo (2029), Taine Tuaupiki (2028) |
| Off Contract 2026 |
| Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, Morgan Gannon, Te Maire Martin |
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.
