As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2025, the Warriors have plenty of talent but do they have someone who can steer them around the park?
Unfortunately for Warriors fans it was back to normal last season with the Warriors flattering to deceive.
Coach Andrew Webster had a dream first season in 2023 but last year, injuries and patchy form led to the Warriors missing out on the finals, slumping to 13th with just nine wins.
The retirement of Shaun Johnson leaves a gaping hole at halfback and no obvious heir apparent so Webster’s first priority will be to settle on a halves combination that can get his talented team firing on all cylinders.
The Warriors are riding high on a wave of public support with most matches sold out last season and they have the potential to bounce back into the playoff picture but the abrupt retirement of captain Tohu Harris earlier this week is another body blow.
The addition of James Fisher-Harris gives them a player who can offset the loss of another heavyweight prop in Adan Fonua-Blake to the Sharks.
Many of the Warriors players are in the veteran category so their premiership window could only be open for the next couple of years before they will need to bring in younger players.
The arrival of Fisher-Harris is a godsend for the Warriors after Fonua-Blake agitated for a release.
He is still only 28 and is renowned as arguably the best prop in the game. JFH will also be a standard bearer for the rest of the team as far as training attitudes and on-field performance.
Jett Cleary is another interesting acquisition from Penrith. The younger brother of Nathan Cleary is only 18 but is tipped to be a first-grader of the future.
Born in Auckland when his old man was coaching the Warriors, he has escaped the shadow of his famous father and brother at the Panthers to make a name for himself.
The Warriors have also added Erin Clark and Tanah Boyd from the Titans who will boost their depth, as will hooker Sam Healey, son of Sharks legend Mitch Healey, who will also be challenging for an NRL bench spot.
James Fisher-Harris. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Fonua-Blake was granted an early release by the Warriors which turned out to not be a massive loss given they replaced him with Fisher Harris.
Veteran forward Jazz Tevaga has moved to Manly after a lengthy stint at the Warriors while utility back Marcelo Montoya has returned to the Bulldogs.
Johnson’s retirement after a fairytale finish in a comeback win over Cronulla and then a final fling with the Kiwis national team means the Warriors are searching for a new owner of the No.7 jersey.
Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita are fighting it out for the two halves spots with Boyd unlikely to get a look-in first up.
Martin is an experienced operator and likely to get first shot at halfback. Metcalf has speed to burn and is more of a five-eighth who thrives as a secondary playmaker.
Harris-Tavita could end up as a bench utility as he can also cover hooker.
Whichever combination Webster settles on he needs to get it sorted as soon as possible.
Tuivasa-Sheck is set to line up in the centres again with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback. Mitchell Barnett, after his belated Test debut for Australia late last season, will form an experienced front row with Fisher-Harris.
And with Marata Niokore, Kurt Capewell and either Jackson Ford or Dylan Walker rounding out the starting pack the Warriors have one of the most imposing sets of forwards in the NRL.
Fisher-Harris, Barnett or Tuivasa-Sheck are likely to inherit the captaincy from Harris.
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
4 Rocco Berry
5 Adam Pompey
6 Luke Metcalf
7 Te Maire Martin
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitch Barnett
11 Marata Niukore
12 Kurt Capewell
13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
14 Chanel Harris-Tavita
15 Bunty Afoa
16 Erin Clark
17 Jackson Ford
Other squad members: Ali Leiataua, Demitric Vaimauga, Edward Kosi, Freddy Lussick, Jacob Laban, Tom Ale, Sam Healey, Jett Cleary, Taine Tauaipiki, Selumiela Halasima, Tanah Boyd, Zyon Maiu’u
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