'New boy' tasked with unlocking ageing star

1 year ago 42

A caller coach, plentifulness of caller players - but volition it beryllium the aforesaid aged Warriors?

That's the question each Kiwi fans are asking arsenic the countdown to the caller play continues.

Andrew Webster is an chartless quantity successful the coaching ranks, but coming retired of the superb Penrith system, helium knows what it takes to triumph games.

After finishing 2nd past successful 2022, the Warriors should improve, but whitethorn autumn abbreviated of a finals berth.

2022 finishing position: 15th.

Gains: Marata Niukore (Eels), Luke Metcalf (Sharks), Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Te Maire Martin (Broncos), Jackson Ford (Dragons), Brayden Wiliame (Perpignan).

Losses: Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Aaron Pene (Storm), Jack Murchie (Eels), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Dragons), Taniela Otukolo (released), Otukinekina Kepu (released).

Warriors merchandise young weapon Walsh to Broncos

Best 17

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Viliami Vailea

Marcelo Montoya

Edward Kosi

Te Maire Martin

Shaun Johnson

Addin Fonua-Blake

Wayde Egan

Bunty Afoa

Mitch Barnett

Josh Curran

Tohu Harris

Bench: Dylan Walker, Marata Niukore, Bayley Sironen, Jazz Tevaga

Best buy

Marata Niukore was large for the Eels successful their expansive last complaint past twelvemonth and adds a hard borderline to the much-maligned Warriors pack. He's a pugnacious pro and volition thatch the young boys plenty.

Biggest loss

Reece Walsh is simply a genuine superstar and was superb successful his little clip astatine the Warriors. Fortunately the nine has covered his nonaccomplishment somewhat by signing the reliable Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Greatest strength

The summation of 3 seasoned NRL professionals successful Niukore, Dylan Walker and Mitchell Barnett springiness the Warriors their strongest battalion successful respective years. With plentifulness of endowment retired wide, they could equine a astonishment complaint for a finals spot.

Biggest question mark

As ever with the Warriors, the quality to spell for 80 minutes against the well-drilled Aussie teams. Rival clubs judge they tin grind the Warriors down implicit the people of a crippled - and person often been proved close successful the past. Hopefully a caller manager and plentifulness of caller faces volition spot a civilization change.

Man nether pressure

Everything astatine the Warriors revolves astir Shaun Johnson, and portion his champion shot is present astir apt down him, he's inactive a people enactment susceptible of opening up a defence. Having caller lad Te Maire Martin alongside him successful the halves should assistance his cause.

Predicted 2023 finishing position: 13th

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