The New Zealand Warriors were cruising along in 2025 before Luke Metcalf went down injured and the season wound up hitting the dust.
But the club are still generally on an upward trajectory.
Andrew Webster has brought with him two finals series in three years, and frankly, a club that looks like it isn't all that far away from breaking through at times.
But there are big questions confronting the Warriors in 2026.
Youngsters are looking to break through, experienced veterans are approaching the end of their careers, and a few new recruits will look to push their way into the side, but the headaches are, for the most part, good ones to have for coach Webster.
How do the halves start, and who plays alongside Metcalf?
This is two big questions for Webster rolled into one heading into 2026.
Luke Metcalf is expected to miss the opening six or seven weeks of the competition, meaning the Warriors need to work out his partner, and replace him at the same time.
Expect Chanel Harris-Tavita to kick-off the year at seven in a halves partnership with Te Maire Martin, although the temptation to play Tanah Boyd, who finished 2025 in place of Metcalf also exists.
There is also the signing of Jye Linnane to worry about, with the former Newcastle youngster rated as a great young talent and excellent signing for the Warriors.
Harris-Tavita's role in the team is likely to be utility once Metcalf returns though, so Webster may elect to let him remain there, with Boyd starting.
Once Metcalf is back on deck, there is little to no doubt he will go straight into the first-grade side, which probably means Te Maire Martin survives at five-eighth, Harris-Tavita plays from the bench, and Tanah Boyd bounces back to the NSW Cup.
