As NRL clubs look hopefully towards next season - we pessimistically ponder the worst-case scenario for each of the 17 teams in 2023.

8. Warriors: Still reeling from the COVID years

COVID has challenged all the NRL clubs over the past three seasons - but no club more than the Warriors.

In addition to the fact they went 1038 days without a proper home game following their relocation to Queensland in 2020, they also lost a host of key staff in that period.

Following the sacking of Stephen Kearney; Todd Payten, Nathan Brown and Stacey Jones all came and went as head coaches.

NRL Rd 16 - Warriors v Wests Tigers
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 03: Tohu Harris and Shaun Johnson of the Warriors lead the team out during the round 16 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium, on July 03, 2022, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Their captain and 2018 Dally M winner, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck jumped codes to play rugby union and his replacement, Reece Walsh eventually linked up with Brisbane.

The Warriors have a new head coach in Andrew Webster plus a host of promising signings for 2023 and would be hoping a pre-season and regular home games in New Zealand will return stability to the club.

However, if all these new pieces fail to fit together then it's likely the Warriors will continue to be haunted by the ghost of the pandemic.

1 COMMENT

  1. Before I read this, I thought “the worst that can happen” would be the same for each club: injury to one of its spine.

    However – Dolphins, Dragons, West and Warriors – all about the club pulling together. Cows and Roosters – the same (to a lesser degree).

    Perhaps this tells us that the influence of the coach – his ability to plan, organise, motivate and control his squad – is at least as important as that of any one player.