No club has done it tougher than the Warriors in the COVID-era but the men from NZ have won the hearts of league fans worldwide with their battles against the odds.
Once again, they seem destined to spend much of the season based in Australia, far from friends and family.
One club legend – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – has gone while another – Shaun Johnson – makes a welcome return.
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Here’s Wide World of Sports’ preview for the New Zealand based club’s upcoming season.
2021 finishing position: 12th
Gains: Aaron Pene (Storm), Shaun Johnson (Sharks), Ash Taylor (Titans), Jesse Arthars (Broncos)
Losses: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ rugby union), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Kane Evans (Hull FC), Leeson Ah Mau (retired), David Fusitu’a (Leeds), Sean O’Sullivan (Panthers), Paul Turner (Titans), Peta Hiku (Cowboys), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Cowboys)
Best 17: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Shaun Johnson, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Matt Lodge, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Addin Fonua-Blake, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Josh Curran, 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. Bayley Sironen, 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 17. Bunty Afoa.
Greatest strength: The power and athleticism of their squad from one to 17. When the Warriors are ‘on’ they can match any team in the league.
Biggest question mark: The ability to go 80 minutes with the hard pros of the 15 Aussie clubs has been the big doubt over the Warriors since day one. If they can keep their heads in the game from start to finish, a finals spot isn’t out of the question.
Man under pressure: All of New Zealand will be expecting Shaun Johnson to reproduce his magic of days gone by now he has returned from his stint at Cronulla. But Johnson is now 31 and had some serious injuries in recent years – it might not come so easy.
Biggest loss: RTS will be a massive loss – a born leader who starred for the Warriors in both attack and defence.
Predicted 2022 finishing position: 11th
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