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'A different connection': Why the Warriors already look headed for the NRL playoffs - NZ Herald
<div id="main" role="main" data-test-ui="main" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><article data-test-ui="article article--sidebar-hidden"><section data-test-ui="article-section-top"><header data-test-ui="article__header" data-ref-group="header"><section data-test-ui="article__header-info" data-ref-group="author"><div data-test-ui="author--information"><p><img src="https://author-service-images-prod-...nzme/a1df49a0-596d-4a6d-9725-6f2be4aac937.png" alt="Michael Burgess" data-test-ui="author--details__image"></p><div data-test-ui="author--text--body"><p><span data-test-ui="author--name">By <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/" rel="author" data-test-ui="author--link">Michael Burgess</a></span></p><p><span data-test-ui="author--role">Senior Sports Journalist</span><span data-test-ui="role-distributor-divider">·</span><span data-test-ui="distributor--name">NZ Herald</span><span data-test-ui="distributor-meta-divider">·</span></p><p><time data-test-ui="author-display--date">24 May, 2025 12:59 AM</time><span data-test-ui="author-read-time"><span></span>4 mins to read</span></p></div></div><hr></section></header><p data-test-ui="figure__caption">Chanel Harris-Tavita celebrates a Warriors' victory in what has been an impressive start to the season for the side. Photo / Getty Images</p><section data-test-ui="article-top-body"><p class>The Warriors are going places in 2025 – the only question now is how far they will travel.</p><p class>Even at this stage, before the halfway point of the season, they look destined for the playoffs and September football. That’s the benefit of their 8-2 win-loss record, a tally achieved only once before in club history (2002). </p><p class>It’s the perfect foundation; even when the hard times come – and they will, as this is the NRL – the Auckland club has a platform to launch. There will be setbacks and injuries but it’s difficult to see how things could unravel from here. </p><p class>Last season 30 points was the cut-off for the top eight, while in 2023 it was 32 points. The Warriors have already accumulated 18 points and still have two more byes to come. It might feel too early to call but another finals season seems inevitable. </p><p class>It’s not just their lofty position on the ladder but how they have got there. The bounce back after Las Vegas was impressive, with three tough wins (Roosters, Sea Eagles, Tigers), games that could have gone either way. But the recent <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...from-nrl-round-11/S3OQDIGLGBFW5JN5EVZGXW7SDQ/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...from-nrl-round-11/S3OQDIGLGBFW5JN5EVZGXW7SDQ/">five-match winning streak</a> has been one of the most impressive sequences in recent seasons. </p></section></section><div data-test-ui="article-section-bottom"><div data-test-ui="article-section-bottom-main"><p class>The way they <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...en-point-thriller/5YRICL3NIRB6DIPZ4ZY25ND3NU/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...en-point-thriller/5YRICL3NIRB6DIPZ4ZY25ND3NU/">defied a late Brisbane comeback for a golden point win</a>, the way they hung on – against considerable odds – versus the Cowboys and the way they turned the tide in Wollongong, when the Dragons had all the momentum. Then banking their first away win over the Dolphins, on a hot afternoon in Brisbane.</p><p class>These results have been achieved despite personnel challenges, constant reshuffles and with a number of young players. Most impressively, it’s been done despite a draining schedule, with trips to Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again. That takes petrol, and in the past has been a deal-breaker, but this team is different. </p><div data-test-ui="article-media"><figure data-test-ui="figure"><img src="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...6&height=11&quality=70&smart=true" data-srcset="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...6&height=11&quality=70&smart=true 16w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=214&quality=70&smart=true 320w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=384&quality=70&smart=true 576w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=512&quality=70&smart=true 768w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=662&quality=70&smart=true 992w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=960&quality=70&smart=true 1440w" alt="The Warriors celebrate a try and have an 8-2 win-loss record so far this season in the NRL. Photo / Zain Mohammed / NRL Photos" data-test-ui="article-media__image"><figcaption data-test-ui="figure__caption">The Warriors celebrate a try and have an 8-2 win-loss record so far this season in the NRL. Photo / Zain Mohammed / NRL Photos</figcaption></figure></div><p class>“I don’t know if we’ve won more games than this in a row, maybe at the end of 2023,” said Webster, when asked about how the current run compares with other memorable streaks during his tenure. “There’s a real different connection about the group. I’m finding them more enjoyable just because the players are leading it so well. I’m so happy with the way they’re chasing training, we’re enjoying each day of work and we’re really grounded.”</p><p class>The biggest unknown is the ceiling of this squad. While they are currently second on the ladder that doesn’t mean they are the second-best team in the competition. But the potential is there and the trajectory is upward. </p><p class>The halves are still a new pairing – but have come on in leaps and bounds since round one – and <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...n-long-term-deals/SCPSQOYFCZHWDEWNTS2CO2V62E/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...n-long-term-deals/SCPSQOYFCZHWDEWNTS2CO2V62E/">rookie forwards such as Leka Halasima, Demetric Vaimauga</a> and Jacob Laban have shown they belong at this level. Around them, everyone is contributing, from standouts such as Wayde Egan and Erin Clark to underrated tyros like Adam Pompey, Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell.</p><p class>For all that, Sunday’s match with Canberra at Go Media Stadium (6pm) will be one of the biggest challenges of the season. The Raiders, who missed the playoffs last season on points differential, have been a revelation this year since their demolition job on the Warriors in Las Vegas, notably in clutch wins over the Storm (away) and Sharks. </p><p class>They have a big mobile pack, a dynamite off-loading game and are generally clinical in the red zone, which means the Warriors can’t afford to offer the opportunities they have in recent weeks. </p><p class>The biggest factor to overcome will be the absence of Mitch Barnett (State of Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspended), who are their most effective and experienced props, as well as being co-captains. </p><p class>“They are going really well, the Raiders, they’ve had a great season,” said Webster. “We know we are going to have to bring our best.”</p><p class><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/"><b>Michael Burgess</b></a><b> has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of </b><a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-big-league-podcast/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-big-league-podcast/"><b>the </b><i><b>Big League</b></i><b> podcast</b></a><b>.</b></p></div><section data-test-ui="article-sidebar-bottom"><h2 data-test-ui="article-sidebar__section-LatestFrom">Latest from Sport</h2></section></div></article></div>
<div id="main" role="main" data-test-ui="main" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><article data-test-ui="article article--sidebar-hidden"><section data-test-ui="article-section-top"><header data-test-ui="article__header" data-ref-group="header"><section data-test-ui="article__header-info" data-ref-group="author"><div data-test-ui="author--information"><p><img src="https://author-service-images-prod-...nzme/a1df49a0-596d-4a6d-9725-6f2be4aac937.png" alt="Michael Burgess" data-test-ui="author--details__image"></p><div data-test-ui="author--text--body"><p><span data-test-ui="author--name">By <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/" rel="author" data-test-ui="author--link">Michael Burgess</a></span></p><p><span data-test-ui="author--role">Senior Sports Journalist</span><span data-test-ui="role-distributor-divider">·</span><span data-test-ui="distributor--name">NZ Herald</span><span data-test-ui="distributor-meta-divider">·</span></p><p><time data-test-ui="author-display--date">24 May, 2025 12:59 AM</time><span data-test-ui="author-read-time"><span></span>4 mins to read</span></p></div></div><hr></section></header><p data-test-ui="figure__caption">Chanel Harris-Tavita celebrates a Warriors' victory in what has been an impressive start to the season for the side. Photo / Getty Images</p><section data-test-ui="article-top-body"><p class>The Warriors are going places in 2025 – the only question now is how far they will travel.</p><p class>Even at this stage, before the halfway point of the season, they look destined for the playoffs and September football. That’s the benefit of their 8-2 win-loss record, a tally achieved only once before in club history (2002). </p><p class>It’s the perfect foundation; even when the hard times come – and they will, as this is the NRL – the Auckland club has a platform to launch. There will be setbacks and injuries but it’s difficult to see how things could unravel from here. </p><p class>Last season 30 points was the cut-off for the top eight, while in 2023 it was 32 points. The Warriors have already accumulated 18 points and still have two more byes to come. It might feel too early to call but another finals season seems inevitable. </p><p class>It’s not just their lofty position on the ladder but how they have got there. The bounce back after Las Vegas was impressive, with three tough wins (Roosters, Sea Eagles, Tigers), games that could have gone either way. But the recent <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...from-nrl-round-11/S3OQDIGLGBFW5JN5EVZGXW7SDQ/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...from-nrl-round-11/S3OQDIGLGBFW5JN5EVZGXW7SDQ/">five-match winning streak</a> has been one of the most impressive sequences in recent seasons. </p></section></section><div data-test-ui="article-section-bottom"><div data-test-ui="article-section-bottom-main"><p class>The way they <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...en-point-thriller/5YRICL3NIRB6DIPZ4ZY25ND3NU/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...en-point-thriller/5YRICL3NIRB6DIPZ4ZY25ND3NU/">defied a late Brisbane comeback for a golden point win</a>, the way they hung on – against considerable odds – versus the Cowboys and the way they turned the tide in Wollongong, when the Dragons had all the momentum. Then banking their first away win over the Dolphins, on a hot afternoon in Brisbane.</p><p class>These results have been achieved despite personnel challenges, constant reshuffles and with a number of young players. Most impressively, it’s been done despite a draining schedule, with trips to Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again. That takes petrol, and in the past has been a deal-breaker, but this team is different. </p><div data-test-ui="article-media"><figure data-test-ui="figure"><img src="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...6&height=11&quality=70&smart=true" data-srcset="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...6&height=11&quality=70&smart=true 16w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=214&quality=70&smart=true 320w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=384&quality=70&smart=true 576w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=512&quality=70&smart=true 768w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=662&quality=70&smart=true 992w,https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/...&height=960&quality=70&smart=true 1440w" alt="The Warriors celebrate a try and have an 8-2 win-loss record so far this season in the NRL. Photo / Zain Mohammed / NRL Photos" data-test-ui="article-media__image"><figcaption data-test-ui="figure__caption">The Warriors celebrate a try and have an 8-2 win-loss record so far this season in the NRL. Photo / Zain Mohammed / NRL Photos</figcaption></figure></div><p class>“I don’t know if we’ve won more games than this in a row, maybe at the end of 2023,” said Webster, when asked about how the current run compares with other memorable streaks during his tenure. “There’s a real different connection about the group. I’m finding them more enjoyable just because the players are leading it so well. I’m so happy with the way they’re chasing training, we’re enjoying each day of work and we’re really grounded.”</p><p class>The biggest unknown is the ceiling of this squad. While they are currently second on the ladder that doesn’t mean they are the second-best team in the competition. But the potential is there and the trajectory is upward. </p><p class>The halves are still a new pairing – but have come on in leaps and bounds since round one – and <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...n-long-term-deals/SCPSQOYFCZHWDEWNTS2CO2V62E/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ru...n-long-term-deals/SCPSQOYFCZHWDEWNTS2CO2V62E/">rookie forwards such as Leka Halasima, Demetric Vaimauga</a> and Jacob Laban have shown they belong at this level. Around them, everyone is contributing, from standouts such as Wayde Egan and Erin Clark to underrated tyros like Adam Pompey, Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell.</p><p class>For all that, Sunday’s match with Canberra at Go Media Stadium (6pm) will be one of the biggest challenges of the season. The Raiders, who missed the playoffs last season on points differential, have been a revelation this year since their demolition job on the Warriors in Las Vegas, notably in clutch wins over the Storm (away) and Sharks. </p><p class>They have a big mobile pack, a dynamite off-loading game and are generally clinical in the red zone, which means the Warriors can’t afford to offer the opportunities they have in recent weeks. </p><p class>The biggest factor to overcome will be the absence of Mitch Barnett (State of Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspended), who are their most effective and experienced props, as well as being co-captains. </p><p class>“They are going really well, the Raiders, they’ve had a great season,” said Webster. “We know we are going to have to bring our best.”</p><p class><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/" rel title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/michael-burgess/"><b>Michael Burgess</b></a><b> has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of </b><a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-big-league-podcast/" target="_self" rel title="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-big-league-podcast/"><b>the </b><i><b>Big League</b></i><b> podcast</b></a><b>.</b></p></div><section data-test-ui="article-sidebar-bottom"><h2 data-test-ui="article-sidebar__section-LatestFrom">Latest from Sport</h2></section></div></article></div>