General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Noitall]

Who is it?

I don't know any Rugby Union players.

Leicester Faingaʻanuku

 

[sup42]

Leicester Faingaʻanuku

Thanks, I thought Leicester was his online nickname.....

 

[france]

Thanks, I thought Leicester was his online nickname.....

he'd be an awesome centre for us

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Never heard of him. Seems a big boy.

 

[Five&Last]

Would be a massive surprise if he left union as the world cup is just about to come up. And although i don't watch much of it, i'd be surprised to see anyone drop from the all blacks squad to switch codes.

Can't see it, I think he returns back to Europe after the world cup.

 

[roguei]

Can't see it, I think he returns back to Europe after the world cup.

Is he not at the crusaders for 2 years?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

. Can't think of another time the warriors have just invited a current all black to training for a good couple of days?

Thanks I was just about to post asking who the fuck is that?

 

[Five&Last]

Is he not at the crusaders for 2 years?

RWC is end of 2027

 

[Boston Boy]

I wonder if NZRU and the Warriors will try and form some type of relationship? The way Cam George said a couple of things it got me thinking.
I think it would be a smart move and benefit both, especially if they could find a system to minimise the Ozzie teams.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I wonder if NZRU and the Warriors will try and form some type of relationship? The way Cam George said a couple of things it got me thinking.
I think it would be a smart move and benefit both, especially if they could find a system to minimise the Ozzie teams.

Either side would be crazy. There is a finite amount of fans, talent, volunteers, and money in both sponsorship and funding.

 

[WAH MAN]

Thanks I was just about to post asking who the fuck is that?

He was an up and coming future all black a few years back. Instead he went overseas and did his thing. At the time we had plenty of wingers but he still would have made it. I missed his overseas chapter and then this past season saw him playing for the all blacks again. He's probably still in his healthy twenties but I can only remotely see him committing to a competition such as the NRL.

 

[Boston Boy]

Either side would be crazy. There is a finite amount of fans, talent, volunteers, and money in both sponsorship and funding.

Warriors have no issues with fans. While the blues and several other Super Rugby teams struggle big time. I think it is doable but Rugby has been arrogant and not evolved. The golden ticket that is the All Blacks are now failing. Rugby League is now superior in many physical aspects, marketing and adaptability. Today you can see by comparing things such as the preseason that ABs have fallen behind.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Warriors have no issues with fans. While the blues and several other Super Rugby teams struggle big time. I think it is doable but Rugby has been arrogant and not evolved. The golden ticket that is the All Blacks are now failing. Rugby League is now superior in many physical aspects, marketing and adaptability. Today you can see by comparing things such as the preseason that ABs have fallen behind.

I agree, but I think that allows for total domination rather than collaboration. The more a protracted death Rugby Union goes through, the more those positives flow to the Warriors. We are still so far behind in terms of both money and power. Look at the stadium debacle.

Edit, NZRU wouldnt be crazy actually they probably need it, youre right about that

 

[WAH MAN]

I agree, but I think that allows for total domination rather than collaboration. The more a protracted death Rugby Union goes through, the more those positives flow to the Warriors. We are still so far behind in terms of both money and power. Look at the stadium debacle.

Edit, NZRU wouldnt be crazy actually they probably need it, youre right about that

Dumb business has killed the all blacks brand and NZ rugby. I don't particularly like Vlandys and Abdo but they at least are taking this niche product to a bigger market and trying to take a bite amongst the larger business sharks.

 

[Canonball]

Warriors have no issues with fans. While the blues and several other Super Rugby teams struggle big time. I think it is doable but Rugby has been arrogant and not evolved. The golden ticket that is the All Blacks are now failing. Rugby League is now superior in many physical aspects, marketing and adaptability. Today you can see by comparing things such as the preseason that ABs have fallen behind.

Exactly - league is on the up here and with the all blacks now failing (by their high historic standards) in a much much more boring game the advantage is with the warriors and whoever will be the second nrl team when that's announced

 

[Ref]

Leicester Faingaʻanuku

IIRC or not, was he a league and union player who went the union route?

 

[WAH MAN]

Exactly - league is on the up here and with the all blacks now failing (by their high historic standards) in a much much more boring game the advantage is with the warriors and whoever will be the second nrl team when that's announced

Rugby league won't make it to world dominant type sport like soccer and other huge sports. But at least we could enlarge the marketability in measurably increased areas

 

[Noitall]

IIRC or not, was he a league and union player who went the union route?

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Gave up an nrl dream to play union

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTKMQ5QEeVy/

 

[warmode1]

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTKMQ5QEeVy/

Leka looks notably bigger, pretty much the same size as Vaimauga now. This is very encouraging as he looked a bit slight last year despite his strength and explosiveness.