A star returns, but is this the 17 for the Warriors to surge up the ladder?
The New Zealand Warriors come into the 2024 season with what should be a better preparation than they were able to have 12 months ago.
An almost set in stone return date, and the knowledge that they will spend most of the season in Australia has allowed players to set up with their families for time in Redcliffe.
With the local community rallying around them, the return of Shaun Johnson to his former home club and Nathan Brown now firmly established as head coach of the Auckland club, there is a feeling they could well challenge for a spot in the finals.
They will need to be at their best to get there, and an early-season injury to Tohu Harris won’t help their cause.
Here is the best 17 to fight for a finals spot at the Warriors.
Who plays where?
Fullback
The Warriors have a little bit of depth to play at the back in 2022. Reece Walsh is the obvious candidate to wear the number one jersey though following the exit of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and the breakout year Walsh enjoyed during 2021.
Behind Walsh is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who will fight for a wing spot in the meantime, while Rocco Berry could be one of the players to follow this season once he gets an opportunity.
He crossed over from rugby union a few years ago and while he has played at centre for the majority of his eight NRL appearances, fullback is ultimately where he played his best rugby league in the juniors.
Wingers
Given he won’t be considered as the first-choice fullback, former Panther and Bulldog Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be the man to take the first wing spot, having played nine games for the Warriors since moving to the club in mid 2024.
The other spot is far less certain.
Jesse Arthars arrives on loan from the Brisbane Broncos and could line up out wide, while Marcel Montoya is the incumbent winger, having played each of the last eight games for the Warriors there in 2024.
An almost set in stone return date, and the knowledge that they will spend most of the season in Australia has allowed players to set up with their families for time in Redcliffe.
With the local community rallying around them, the return of Shaun Johnson to his former home club and Nathan Brown now firmly established as head coach of the Auckland club, there is a feeling they could well challenge for a spot in the finals.
They will need to be at their best to get there, and an early-season injury to Tohu Harris won’t help their cause.
Here is the best 17 to fight for a finals spot at the Warriors.
Given Fonua-Blake and Lodge both aren’t big-minute players, the Warriors must name two middle forwards on the bench and then know flexibility exists to push Tohu Harris to the edge if injuries strike or the need is there.
It means Bunty Afoa will take the first of those spots following a strong 2021, while Ben Murdoch-Masila, who can also push out to the edge if need be, takes the other. That does leave both Pene and Petterson-Robati out of the side.
The final spot could go to any number of second-rowers, but unfortunately for Sironen and Murchie, they both miss out to Eliesa Katoa who has 31 games of NRL experience under his belt.
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