New Zealand Warriors

Five players EVERY club should target: New Zealand Warriors

With the Warriors looking to enter the transfer market, we look at five players they should target for 2022👇

Published by
Dan Nichols

After 12 rounds the Warriors again look set to fight for a top-eight spot. In saying that, they don't look capable of finishing any higher than eighth, maybe seventh if they go on a run.

A large factor in their recent good form has been young superstar recruit Reece Walsh. His arrival has completely reset the attack for the Warriors and has made them a far better side.

With captain and legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck exiting the code at the end of the 2021 season, the Warriors will need to head into the player market to deliver the missing pieces.

Below is a look at five players I believe they SHOULD target. I don't have any inside information nor do I know if these players are even on the club's radar. In my opinion they should be.

I've tried to keep it realistic, i.e. I'm not suggesting the Warriors try and bring Cameron Smith out of retirement.

Let us know below who you believe would look good in the Warriors jersey for 2022 and beyond.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon

I like what I've seen from young Josh Curran, while Bayley Sironen has plenty of potential, but the Warriors need a pick and stick, 80-minute back-rower.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon was so close to Origin selection last year and you'd have to believe he would have been in the discussion if he hadn't missed so many games through injury.

I am shocked that Newcastle haven't yet tied down their wide-running weapon. The Warriors have shown they're not scared to offer big money deals to attract stars, so an offer here could turn his head to across the Tasman.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Lachlan Fitzgibbon of the Knights is tackled by Damien Cook of Souths during the round 10 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Newcastle Knights at Bankwest Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Fitzgibbon has all the tools to quickly become a crowd favourite in no time. With 83 appearances under his belt, he has plenty of experience and at 27 is right in the peak of his career.

Reuben Garrick

David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo were once one of the most feared wing combinations in the game. Both are massive, frighteningly fast and can score tries for fun. Unfortunately that's not so true right now.

Maumalo does have five tries in ten games, however three of those came in a huge loss to the Storm, while he's gone three games without crossing the line since.

Meanwhile, Fusitu'a has yet to score in five appearances and hasn't been sighted since round five due to injury.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Reuben Garrick of the Sea Eagles kicks of to start the round eight NRL match between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Lottoland on May 04, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

Perhaps it's time for a change. I still don't completely hate the idea of 'the Fus' moving into the centres, especially with Peta Hiku leaving the club at the end of the season.

Garrick has been told he can look elsewhere by Manly despite some incredible form. The 23-year-old has seven tries and is converting at 80% for Manly across 12 games.

He's promising, quick, can kick and suits the tall, athletic wing type the Warriors have enjoyed for so many years. Surely he wouldn't break the bank. Makes a lot of sense now that Manly look to be moving on.

Watch the big issues discussed on Rugby League Outlaws

Jaydn Su'A

Back to what I was saying with Fitzgibbon, the Warriors sure could use an 80-minute back-rower with plenty of skill and experience. They probably only need one but if they can sign both, watch out!

Su'A looks on the outer at Redfern and has been linked with a return to the Broncos. I don't see how the Broncos justify yet another back-rower on big money, so the Warriors should pounce.

AFB and Tohu Harris would have played if eligible but this is a squad really lacking Origin experience. Dare I say recent finals experience?

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Jaydn Su'a of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round 19 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on July 26, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Su'A has both as well as the skills to become a big part player in this competition. His signing would allow Tohu Harris to stay in the middle also, which I really like.

If it came down to either Su'a or Fitzgibbon, I'm probably leaning towards Fitz purely because I think he'd be cheaper, but I'd be tempted to go for both.

Aaron Woods

This one will draw ire in the comments but hear me out. The Warriors starting props last weekend were Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Kane Evans. Both players are on the up but they need another option to join the previously mentioned duo and Fonua-Blake.

Aaron Woods is a former rep regular and is enjoying a real resurgence over the past two or three weeks at the Sharks. A report just released backs up the talk I'd been hearing in that Woods is unwanted in the Shire next season.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Aaron Woods of the Sharks looks dejected during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Warriors need some big game experience while Woods walks into this 17 somewhere. With a lack of offers (at least in public) the Warriors could pick up Woods on a contract that provides super value.

At 30, Woods still has four years left in him and is currently a starting prop. Show me where you can find a player with his resume on a potential steal contract. Worth a look.

Sebastian Kris

The Warriors need a centre. Peta Hiku is heading out the door, while the current combo of Pompey and Aitken hardly has opposition defenders shaking in their boots. The aforementioned Fusitua is an option but unproven.

How is Sebastian Kris still off-contract in Canberra? Ricky Stuart is losing his mind if he doesn't believe this kid is worth a spot in the 17 on a regular basis.

He has the size to shift into the back-row but his potential alone suggests that the Warriors should be at least looking at the 22-year-old.

You can't tell me Kris wouldn't, at very least, push the current crop for a spot in the centres right now?

A backline of Walsh, Garrick, Kris, Fus and Maumalo is a lot more intimidating than the one who ran out last weekend.

Published by
Dan Nichols