DEAL CONFIRMED: New Zealand Warriors Welcomes Another Key Player Who Has Today Signed With The Club On The Opening Day Of The NRL Free Agency….

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.

They will need to be at their best to get there, and an early-season injury to Tohu Harris won’t help their cause.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.