Consistency continues to be the plague for the New Zealand Warriors.
The Auckland-based outfit made a preliminary final in 2023, missed the finals altogether in 2024, then started 2025 strongly before fading at the back-end to go out of the finals in the opening week.
It has to be acknowledged the squad on paper looks better than that though, and injuries certainly played their part in ensuring Andrew Webster's side would fall well short of being able to push for a spot in the big dance.
But if consistency is the issue, then a stable squad going forward could well be the answer.
A number of big names are already locked down until at least 2027, with the nucleus of the Warriors' side bordering completion for the long-term.
With that said, there are still gaps they will be looking to address come November 1, and with no reported salary cap issues, it'll be about finding the right balance to the side, rather than adding out and out stars.
Note: This article was written prior to Luke Metcalf's re-signing.
Current New Zealand Warriors 2027 squad
Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, James Fisher-Harris, Jackson Ford, Morgan Gannon, Leka Halasima, Samuel Healey, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jacob Laban, Ali Leiataua, Jye Linnane, Haizyn Mellars, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga
Off-contract at the end of 2026
Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (mutual option)
Current best 17 for 2027
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Haizyn Mellars
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
6. Jye Linnane
7. Jett Cleary
8. Mitchell Barnett
9. Wayde Egan
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Leka Halasima
12. Morgan Gannon
13. Erin Clark
Interchange
14. Samuel Healey
15. Jackson Ford
16. Demitric Vaimauga
17. Jacob Laban
Not in 17: Kayliss Fatialofa, Motu Pasikala Tanner Stowers-Smith
What is clear is that the Warriors have an excellent crop of forwards, no matter where they lean with the remainder of their re-signings.
The middle third in particular, led by Origin player Mitch Barnett, New Zealand international James Fisher-Harris, and 2025 Dally M lock of the year Erin Clark, is among the best in the competition.
The fact they are locked in long-term is a bonus.
The second-row features up coming star Leka Halasima and Englishman Morgan Gannon, who plays his first NRL season in 2026, while the bench has strong names on it.
The backline is also nicely set, although there are questions about the halves. Luke Metcalf is the key to re-sign at this point, and with no halfback on the open market at his level should the Warriors require a replacement.
All signs point to him re-signing, so we won't focus there, but centres, wing and potentially five-eight look like they could use more faces, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is fullback, but will be well and truly the wrong side of 30 by the time 2027 rolls around.
Option 4: Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels)
Will Penisini has been a shining light in recent seasons for the Parramatta Eels, regardless of the club's form throughout that time period.
Now with 100 NRL games under his belt, the 23-year-old is one of the better centres in the game and should only continue to improve as he works further into his career.
Off-contract at the end of 2026, he has been linked previously with rugby union, but it's clear there will be a scramble for his services come November 1 if the Eels don't manage to lock up a new deal before then.
The outside back has a solid try-scoring strike rate for a centre with 36 to his name, but it's his running game and tackling which set him apart from some of the others around the competition.
He doesn't get the praise of Herbie Farnworth, Kotoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton, but he is certainly in the next tier down, and once cost against production is balanced, he could well be the type of players the Warriors want to chase as they look for some X-Factor moving forward.
