General Warriors Preseason 2026

[CWC]

How about
Sifakula
EIT
Gannon
TMM

EIT can play centre too and has great hands, maybe Clark should come off the bench or transition to prop, he and Whyte were beasts in the PC final

 

[Brightman]

I’ve always thought that.
Add smart to your list.

and effort, he's making more and more effort plays..

 

[WAH MAN]

I said it last year and got vociferous objections and will say it again - we are short on depth at lock.
If Erin Clark gets injured it will cause one of our props to go to lock such as Barnett.

Demetric would be able to fill in.

Leka could get chucked in the middle as a desperation lock and would likely go somewhere between half decent and game breaking.

Super desperate. Te Maire Martin and or Samuel Healey or if we seriously hate Chanel at 6 we could get him to eat taro and corned beef and KFC to beef up and he would go well.

Thats all I can think of at present.

 

[WAH MAN]

Demetric would be able to fill in.

Leka could get chucked in the middle as a desperation lock and would likely go somewhere between half decent and game breaking.

Super desperate. Te Maire Martin and or Samuel Healey or if we seriously hate Chanel at 6 we could get him to eat taro and corned beef and KFC to beef up and he would go well.

Thats all I can think of at present.

Sorry just read everybody else's better lists.

 

[Neo]

I see Laban turning into an elite front rower in 2026.
Mobile enough to play on the edge.
I don’t see any difference between him and Xavier Williston.
Surely he is in Webby’s best 17 for round one.

I actually thought he looked a bit uncomfortable in the middle. Very good defensively but would run a bit upright and get driven back. When he was on an edge he looked much more comfortable dropping under or attacking an outside shoulder

 

[WHB]

I actually thought he looked a bit uncomfortable in the middle. Very good defensively but would run a bit upright and get driven back. When he was on an edge he looked much more comfortable dropping under or attacking an outside shoulder

His injury game i thought he came of age in the middle
He took the pitch and played with some mongrel.
Played the middle as if he had no choice.
He is an awesome edge runner
Since U15 māori's I've kept tabs on him.
I think he knows what he needs to do to cement himself in the 17

 

[Wrighty]

How about
Sifakula
EIT
Gannon
TMM

I know you are a terrific supporter of the wahs but don't forget to call him Vaimauga. There is obviously a family issue happening that has caused him to take his mothers last name and we fans need to support him. His reasons will not be minor.

A quick review of his stats shows he has played 10 games at lock for NSW cup and is our most qualified lock next to Clark. EIT and Gannon have only played once there.

They need to cross train someone this pre-season. One year that cross trained Dylan Walker to play second row. They need to do something.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I know you are a terrific supporter of the wahs but don't forget to call him Vaimauga. There is obviously a family issue happening that has caused him to take his mothers last name and we fans need to support him. His reasons will not be minor.

A quick review of his stats shows he has played 10 games at lock for NSW cup and is our most qualified lock next to Clark. EIT and Gannon have only played once there.

They need to cross train someone this pre-season. One year that cross trained Dylan Walker to play second row. They need to do something.

Demi would be fine at lock. They do cross train the players as you never know who will be injured in a game. As for the uso changing his name here is a good interview that explains it.

Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga has had to grow up fast - ABC Pacific

Life is moving fast for the NZ born, Samoan-Niuean-Tongan NRL player who is impressing plenty and hoping to head to Las Vegas with the Warriors. Signed to the club at age 15, Vaimauga left his family and girlfriend in NZ to live in Brisbane in the Warriors COVID bubble at 17 and just recently...

www.abc.net.au

Starts at around the 30 minute mark so you can miss all the union rubbish. Around 48 minutes in is the reasoning.

 

[Five&Last]

Demi would be fine at lock. They do cross train the players as you never know who will be injured in a game. As for the uso changing his name here is a good interview that explains it.

Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga has had to grow up fast - ABC Pacific

Life is moving fast for the NZ born, Samoan-Niuean-Tongan NRL player who is impressing plenty and hoping to head to Las Vegas with the Warriors. Signed to the club at age 15, Vaimauga left his family and girlfriend in NZ to live in Brisbane in the Warriors COVID bubble at 17 and just recently...

www.abc.net.au

Stats at around the 30 minute mark so you can miss all the union rubbish. Around 48 minutes in is the reasoning.

I think he will grow into a lock the more his engine and passing-game develops. Can see him eventually becoming a 60-70 minute player.

Just on Laban to prop, it is an interesting one with his running style. He's very upright when he runs as has been pointed out. Probably less concerning when he's punching holes out wide. But could be an open target to get T-boned in the bread basket when running at a set line.

 

[Noitall]

Coaches and players fronting community blitz

Players, coaches out and about in Warriors Community Foundation blitz tomorrow and Friday.

www.warriors.kiwi

Thought it interesting that all these coaches and players community blitz events, that Marata Niukore doesn’t factor in any? Doesn’t mean much but seems like a lot of players attend

 

[Five&Last]

Coaches and players fronting community blitz

Players, coaches out and about in Warriors Community Foundation blitz tomorrow and Friday.

www.warriors.kiwi

Thought it interesting that all these coaches and players community blitz events, that Marata Niukore doesn’t factor in any? Doesn’t mean much but seems like a lot of players attend

Good indicator of young players the club rate.

Have seen Jeremiah Lemana in some of the preseason footage too.

Sikuvea listed there but haven't seen any photos/footage of him yet

 

[Billyspleen75]

Coaches and players fronting community blitz

Players, coaches out and about in Warriors Community Foundation blitz tomorrow and Friday.

www.warriors.kiwi

Thought it interesting that all these coaches and players community blitz events, that Marata Niukore doesn’t factor in any? Doesn’t mean much but seems like a lot of players attend

All the players who played internationals like Niukore will be on holidays at the moment

 

[Noitall]

All the players who played internationals like Niukore will be on holidays at the moment

That’ll be why

 

[Hitro]

All the players who played internationals like Niukore will be on holidays at the moment

Looks like a few missing who aren’t internationals as well - TSS, Healy, Lussick, Ali, Kali, Fatialofa, EIT.

 

[Theking267]

I said it last year and got vociferous objections and will say it again - we are short on depth at lock.
If Erin Clark gets injured it will cause one of our props to go to lock such as Barnett.

It’s why Gannon signed with us saw an opportunity with the lack of depth at lock as his easiest & quickest path to NRL game time

 

[Warriors latvia]

Looks like a few missing who aren’t internationals as well - TSS, Healy, Lussick, Ali, Kali, Fatialofa, EIT.

All are players who played in the state championship. So required to have more time off . Kali is the only one that didnt play the last weeks few weeks of finals. So technically should be back if he is signed with the club .

 

[Noitall]

All are players who played in the state championship. So required to have more time off . Kali is the only one that didnt play the last weeks few weeks of finals. So technically should be back if he is signed with the club .

Would break a few hearts if he was gone

 

[Hitro]

All are players who played in the state championship. So required to have more time off . Kali is the only one that didnt play the last weeks few weeks of finals. So technically should be back if he is signed with the club .

He did his ankle in the final rounds, wouldn’t be surprised if he was being treated the same as other members of last years cup team.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

If any of you are in Rotorua, the team are holding an open training session tomorrow morning at Rotorua international stadium.

 

[Fufu]

Key appointments, a programme name and a combine have been confirmed as the One New Zealand Warriors’ landmark partnership with the City of Logan takes shape.

The Ausbuild-backed joint venture with Logan City Council was revealed in late July to set up an academy along with a community initiative in the South East Queensland area.

One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George has today announced it will be known as the ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ programme while confirming the appointment of ex-Warriors NRLW and Australian Jillaroos coach Brad Donald as football manager, former Warriors front rower Mark Tookey as community manager and Claire Gilmour in an accounts and administration role.

Also inked in is a combine for under-16 boys and under-16 girls from the Logan City area to be staged on Saturday, December 6.

“Together with the city, we see the ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ programme providing a real breakthrough for rugby league in the area,” said George.

“Our vision is to inspire pride and opportunity in Logan by connecting the community to the heart of the One New Zealand Warriors.

“We’re excited about having Brad and Mark on board in the key roles of football manager and community manager. They have achieved so much in rugby league and bring a great understanding of who the Warriors are and what we are about as a club.”

Donald was unbeaten as the Australian Jillaroos’ head coach as he guided them to back-to-back Rugby League World Cup victories in 2017 and 2022 while he also stepped in to coach the Warriors in the Covid-affected 2020 NRLW campaign.

Tookey, a Logan Brothers junior, was a cult hero during his 67-game career as Warrior #76 from 2000-2004 during which time he played in the club’s first grand final side in 2002.

Gilmour has spent time with the commercial teams at both the Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans this year.

Through its vision the ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ (WIL) programme will seek to inspire players of the future with opportunities “empowering training and personal growth to help players become the best versions of themselves”.

In schools and the community, WIL will “inspire pride, deepening engagement with the One New Zealand Warriors and what we stand for”.

The first opportunities for aspiring players will come on December 6 with a combine for under-16 boys and girls interested in joining the One New Zealand Warriors’ Logan Academy. Starting at 8.30am, the combine will be held at the Logan Metro Sports Complex, 349 Browns Plains Rd, Heritage Park, QLD, 4118.

Players considered must be born between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, and must be Logan residents or attend a Logan-based school or are a member of a Logan sporting club.

Registrations close at 4.00pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Limited spots are available. Register HERE.

“Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors’ NRL and NRLW teams,” said George.

“It’s a two-pronged approach between Logan City and the One New Zealand Warriors to work with the community for better outcomes for locals though work programmes and to form a rugby league academy to create another pathway for young boys and girls to chase their dreams.”

“We have a network of academies throughout New Zealand doing a terrific job and see a real opportunity with this partnership to connect with New Zealanders in Australia.

“We’re excited about what lies ahead and we really appreciate Logan City’s support.”

City of Logan mayor Jon Raven said it was an exciting next chapter for the city.

“Our love for league runs deep in Logan, but it’s not every day our youth get opportunities like this one,” he said.

“If you’re an under 16s player who wants footy to be your future, this is the fast track you’ve been waiting for.

“Our city has a proud history of producing sporting superstars. We’re ready to find the next one.”

Ausbuild managing director Matt Bell said the partnership with ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ will provide career opportunities for young people.

“Sport can be a great way to make connections with community and find employment opportunities, including apprenticeships and jobs,” he said.

“Ausbuild has a history of working with clubs to build pathways for young people and that’s why we’re so excited to join with the One New Zealand Warriors and Logan City Council. It’s a fantastic fit.”

The level of interest from the community was palpable when 5000 fans engaged with the One New Zealand Warriors during their final training session ahead of their round 25 match against the Gold Coast Titans in August.

Register here for the December 6 combine.

More ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ opportunities for other age grades will be announced in due course.

whos paying for all of this? How cashed up is the club, alot it seems!