Articles

The time is finally upon us, in a mere few days the NRL season will begin, and I cannot wait until round one. It also means that it’s time for me to give my thoughts on how I see the Warriors faring in their 2019 campaign. As I did last year, I will be breaking down my preview into sections outlining my views on the preseason and trial results, key signings, the 2019 squad, my gameday 17, the team's strengths and weaknesses and then finalising it all with my 2019 prediction. As always, these...

The New Zealand Warriors have named their squad for the Round 1 clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Auckland on Saturday. Adam Keighran has been named to make his NRL debut in the No 6 jersey alongside halfback Blake Green. The 21-year-old started at standoff in each of the club’s NRL trial wins over Melbourne and the Wests Tigers. Head coach Stephen Kearney has given him the chance against a club he played for in the former Intrust Super Premiership (now the Canterbury Cup...

The New Zealand Warriors have announced Isaiah Papalii has been disciplined for an off-field misdemeanour involving a low-range drink-driving offence during the offseason. The 20-year-old will miss the club’s season-opening NRL match against the Bulldogs at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday. Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club was determined to act firmly on indiscretions which contravened standards. “We expect better from our players and anyone who falls short of our standards will...

New Zealand Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney has signed a contract extension keeping him at Mount Smart Stadium until the end of the 2022 NRL season. The deal will see the 46-year-old Kearney remain in the role for six seasons, joining Ivan Cleary (2006-2011) as the longest-serving head coach in the club’s history. “Securing Stephen for another three years is a huge boost for us as we prepare to begin our 25th season in the competition,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George. “We haven’t...

The Maori Kiwis have given a glimpse of the new haka they will perform before Friday’s clash against the Australian Indigenous side, releasing a video of a practice session. The team confirmed this week that they would be performing a new haka for the occasion. Yeah boi! Māori All-Stars practicing their haka for this Friday’s #NRLAllStars match pic.twitter.com/YAsi4U8Meg — Vodafone Warriors (Nzwarriors) February 12, 2019 WATCH: Maori Kiwis practice new haka Kiwis abroad – February...

The New Zealand Warriors have today confirmed wing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been granted a release to continue his NRL career in Australia. The 23-year-old Cook Islands international was off contract at the end of the season but sought an immediate release to join the Canberra Raiders. He farewelled players and staff at the club on Thursday ahead of flying to Canberra. “While it’s disappointing to lose a person of Charnze’s calibre, it’s a great opportunity for him and for his family,”...

The fans have had their say, putting together a strong Maori men’s side for this month’s clash against the Indigenous All Stars in Melbourne. A number of capped Kiwi internationals feature, including veteran campaigners Jesse Bromwich, Adam Blair, Tohu Harris and Kevin Proctor, while the Stacey Jones coached side also includes Queensland State of Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai. Both of those players – along with Australian Test props Jordan McLean and James Tamou – qualify through...

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has become the first New Zealand Warriors and just the second Kiwi ever to win the Dally M Medal. (Photo: NRLPhotos). Tuivasa-Sheck topped the tally in a dramatic final round of voting, edging out Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga and Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes. Tuivasa-Sheck polled 29 points, overtaking Ponga in the final round. Tuivasa-Sheck wins 2018 #DallyM Medal:https://t.co/vX9PpAEfDW#NRL pic.twitter.com/pHSdvCfoBm — NRL (@NRL) September 26, 2018 Other...

Long-time New Zealand Warriors back-up half Mason Lino has agreed to join the Newcastle Knights from 2019. Lino has signed a two-year-deal with the Club which sees him in the red and blue until at least the end of 2020. Knights player list manager Troy Pezet said the addition of Lino provides genuine competition for positions with Lino able to play half and five-eighth. “Mason is a talented young man,” Pezet said. “He provides us with good depth… Mason has a lot of strings to his bow...

After last weeks great Mount Smart send-off for Simon Mannering, the Warriors ended their seven-year drought from playoff football and found themselves in Sydney for round one of the playoffs facing the Penrith Panthers. Predictions on both sides of the Tasman had the Warriors as slight favourites to take this match, but the Panthers took advantage of a swing of momentum and never let go as they ran away with a 25-12 victory. Well, that wasn't the result I was expecting or the way I saw...