Warriors worries: Johnson successor, jury out on prop switch, how to extract best from RTS?
For the upcoming season, I aim to engage with the most passionate fans to gain insight into their expectations. Special thanks to
The NZ Warriors Forum for their great contributors Makasene (MK), Inruin (IR), JustLike Starting Over (JSO), and BNH.
The Warriors lost one of the NRL’s premier props,
Addin Fonua-Blake, but gained
James Fisher-Harris. Is this an upgrade for the club?
M.K.: Statistically, it’s a downgrade in terms of ball-carrying impact. However, it’s a major upgrade in leadership, intensity, and defensive work.
JFH has the ability to lift those around him, which should help compensate for the loss of
AFB’s yardage.
I.R.: In my opinion, it’s an upgrade. While it’s not a like-for-like swap and we haven’t completely replaced
AFB’s output,
JFH will bring a stronger cultural impact, elevate the team’s intensity, and set higher standards. The collective should lift to cover the lost metres.
JSO.: No,
JFH is a great player, but we now lack destructive or explosive talent up front. Until the younger forwards develop, we need a dominant, hard-running prop more than an effort-based, high-work-rate player like
JFH.
M.B: Upgrade in attitude which I think will make up for the maybe loss in metres gained. Maybe 2024 is the season you judge
JFH more for the improvement of the players around him/attitude of the club than for his on-field output.
Life after Shaun Johnson: who takes over at halfback?
Club legend
Shaun Johnson has retired. Who should replace him in the No.7 jersey?
M.K.:
Luke Metcalf deserves the first opportunity. He controlled the trials well, produced two 40/20s, and possesses genuine speed. He’ll need time, but he has the potential to develop into a top-class playmaker.
I.R.:
Metcalf will get first crack, but I believe he’s a better fit at 6, with
Te Maire Martin at 7.
TMM proved last season that he can guide the team under pressure.
Metcalf will do a solid job but lacks the creativity and game management that
TMM provides. If we want to score points consistently, Martin should be at seven or fullback.
JSO.:
Metcalf will start but has struggled with injuries. If he goes down,
Tanah Boyd will likely step in, though his attacking output has been underwhelming in his career so far.
M.B
Luke Metcalf for now but
TMM certainly looked the goods last season. Have to say I’ve always liked the idea of both halves being good at both roles, but as we’ve never done that. I guess teaching a system like that/getting players to be comfortable with that takes a good 2-3 pre-seasons to bed down and so if the club decide that’s what they want, they’d start it in the HM/SG? Just guesswork.
BNH: Don’t think we have the talent where one player “replaces” him or plays that “dominating” role so the halves pairing becomes even more important. We’ll really need both our 6 and 7 (whoever that is) to contribute and set up play so we can strike on both edges.
TMM 7 and
Metcalf 6 would've been my go to but the club looks all in on
Metcalf as the 7 which in that case Channel
Harris-Tavita should his partner as
Te Maire just disappears in that secondary playmaker role.
RTS is expected to play on the wing this season. Is this the best role for him, and could a switch to fullback still happen?
M.K.: Ideally,
RTS would be at fullback, but the team needs a playmaker in that role. That’s why many want Tauapiki to be given the No.1 jersey, or even
TMM as an alternative.
RTS struggled at centre last year, partly due to frequent positional changes. He can be effective on the wing but will need to adapt to seeing less of the ball.
I.R.: Wing is his best position for the team. At fullback, he would rack up run meters and create moments of brilliance, but we need a fullback who can distribute and link up in attack. His move from center was partly due to injuries but also because he didn’t fully settle there. A switch to fullback could happen if injuries force it.
JSO.: The decision is driven by necessity—there are more centers and fullbacks than wingers in the squad.
RTS struggled at center last year, and given his contract situation, he may not be in the long-term plans.
M.B:
RTS at wing certainly an upgrade on him playing centre. As others have alluded to, his age meant he couldn’t realistically spend two seasons learning centre and the roles of defence and sills required playing mostly in reserve grade and obviously his contract and the moolah agreed mean that was never the plan.
BNH: Our yardage game is dependent on our wingers starting our sets off strongly getting front foot ball. Roger will put his hand up time and again and excel at this. Fullback is a possibility with injuries. Felt he wasn’t given the best shot at centre as he was shunted positions every second game, plus when he was at centre there was too much “just chuck the ball to Roger and see what he can do” without much movement off the ball or structure around him.
Fan excitement and potential drop-off
After a top-four finish in 2023 and unprecedented fan enthusiasm, will the same excitement carry into 2025? What caused the drop-off from 2023 to 2024?
M.K.: There’s still excitement, but expectations are more measured. In 2024, many believed the Warriors could make the Grand Final. However, injuries and a decline in form from key veterans like
SJ,
Tohu,
Capewell,
RTS,
CNK, and
Egan took a toll.
I.R.: Over 20,000 fans attended a preseason match in Hamilton, so the passion remains strong, though expectations have adjusted. In 2023, everything aligned—the right coach, career-best form from key players, and the emotional boost of returning home. In 2024, injuries and conservative game plans led to stagnation.
Webster was slow to make necessary changes, even when forced into adjustments that resulted in wins.
M.B: The drop-off from 2023 to 2024 on-field I think was a bit of arrogance on our part: “Hey! This is easy!” as well as an uptick in the respect we got from the opposition: “Shit! Maybe they’re good now!” But of course who’s going to say that in public? And, yes the injuries didn’t help none.
Not going to say we played anyone a season too long, but TH’s immediate retirement didn’t surprise me at all and I have to admit I’m expecting WE to do the same thing some time this season due in part to injuries they suffered in 2024.
Off-season, I think a lot of people invested in season tickets, which does tend to make you go to games you otherwise might not (good old sunken costs fallacy) and the team actually played well enough often enough to keep you thinking a season-long corner turn was imminent.
Attendances at Mount Smart this year will go back to being dictated by the question “How popular are the opposition in New Zealand?” if the question “How well are the Warriors doing?” is answered in the negative. As well as “Wouldn’t ya prefer a 52 pickup best of 5 over watching those bloody Warriors?” being answered with “I’d rather go to the Warriors!”
Travel demands and performance
The Warriors travel overseas frequently, with two away games per month. Does this affect their performance over a full season?
M.K.: Travel is a disadvantage, but it’s something the team must manage. Other clubs also endure long trips. Interestingly, Friday night 8 pm home games at Mt Smart, with heavy dew, have been more problematic than travel.
I.R.: Travel is a factor, but it’s part of the competition. The key is maximising home-ground advantage and making Go Media Stadium a fortress.
M.B:Absolutely 0 per cent sympathy on this front. Never mind the players, the club have known about this since March 1995 and must be now have recovery protocols specifically designed to battle jet-leg, body clock issues and the like. Same with the heat and cold differences between here in June and Brisbane in June.
Breakout players and rookies to watch
Who is primed for a breakout season?
M.K.:
Demitric Vaimauga—he rebounded strongly from an ACL injury and forced his way into the 17 late last season. He brings impact and offloading ability. Expect him to cement his place in first grade.
I.R.: Several players stand out—
Healey,
Laban,
Ali, and
Vaimauga. If I had to pick one, it would be
Vaimauga. Halisima will be one to watch next year.
BNH:
Halasima is the obvious that screams X-factor. Be interesting to see if
Webby sees him good to go now or drip feeds him in as the season goes on.
Vaimauga is ready to rip and tear now, he’s in for a big season (and we’ll need him to).
Best addition and biggest loss
Who is the best new signing, and who will be the toughest player to replace?
M.K.:
Sam Healey looks like a great pickup. He outperformed
Lussick in the trials and has a strong chance to start the season on the bench.
AFB is, without question, the biggest loss.
I.R.:
JFH is the best addition, bringing leadership and intensity. The biggest loss is
AFB for his carries, but injuries to
Tohu and
SJ also hurt last year.
Biggest weakness and squad depth
What is the squad’s biggest weakness heading into 2025? Can it be improved during the season?
M.K.: Outside back depth is a major concern. Releasing
Montoya and losing
DWZ to injury leaves the team short, forcing Tauapiki to the wing due to
Kosi’s poor form. This won’t be easily fixed this year.
I.R.: Several areas need improvement—outside back depth, the right spine combinations, and balancing structured and instinctive play.
JSO.: Most will point to wing depth, but the real issue is the lack of investment in the spine. Outside of
Egan (who is one or two concussions away from early retirement), the team has spent minimally in this area, which will hurt them against strong defensive teams.
Expectations for 2025
What would constitute success? What would be considered failure?
M.K.: Simply making the top eight would be a success. A bottom-six finish would be a failure.
I.R If injuries are limited and selections are correct, a top-six finish is possible. However, I expect the team to finish between eighth and tenth. If they don’t get the spine balance right, they could start the season 0-6.
JSO: Success is about cementing the next generation of Warriors players.
Leiataua, at least two of
Laban,
Halasima, and
Vaimauga, plus
Metcalf and
Berry, need to establish themselves. If the team moves on from older players like
Capewell,
Lussick, and even
TMM and
Walker by season’s end, it shows development is on track. While wins are essential for morale, a record of 11-13 with emerging talent would be a positive outcome.
