NRL 2024 scouting report: New Zealand Warriors recruitment, debutants, burning issues
Are the Warriors on the verge of a golden era, or is it another false dawn from the erratic franchise? DAVID RICCIO examines the major obstacles to becoming true NRL contenders.
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The New Zealand Warriors head into the 2024 NRL season needing to combat something they haven’t faced in more than a decade — expectation.
Last season’s preliminary final exit was their first top-10 finish in five years.
Was it the sign of change to a culture known to be systematically erratic? Or were the Warriors of 2023 over-achievers who will fall back down the pecking order this season?
Both the NRL and reserve-grade sides were just 80 minutes from their respective grand finals. The club welcomes back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita in a season that also includes the introduction of a Jersey Flegg side for the first time, as the Warriors work to rebuild their pathways.
DAVID RICCIO examines the issues coach Andrew Webster faces in his second year as an NRL head coach.
2024 squad
Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Mitch Barnett, Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell, Wayde Egan, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Shaun Johnson, Edward Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marata Niukore, Adam Pompey, Demitric Sifakula, Jazz Tevaga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dylan Walker, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Brayden Wiliame
Ins: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby union), Chanel Harris-Tavita (retirement)
Outs: Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Viliame Vailea (Cowboys), Ronald Volkman (Dragons), Bayley Sironen (Catalans Dragons), Brayden Wiliame (retired)
Best 17
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Rocco Berry
4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
5 Marcelo Montoya
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Addin Fonua-Blake
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitch Barnett
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Marata Niukore
13 Tohu Harris ©
14 Dylan Walker
15 Jazz Tevaga
16 Bunty Afoa
17 Jackson Ford
Addin Fonua-Blake (9, $1.05m), Tohu Harris (15, $950,000), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (39, $800,000), Marata Niukore (29, $840,000), Dylan Walker (62, $700,000), Shaun Johnson (84, $600,000)
Free agency wrap and rating
Just 80 minutes away from a grand final in 2023, an even more dangerous squad will be the Warriors in 2024. The return from time away from the NRL of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita adds a huge layer of class, strike, experience and depth to the Warriors squad. Competition for spots will also be on in the backline and in the halves, where former Roosters rising star Ronald Volkman is the odd man out, gaining an early release to join St George Illawarra.
The loss of Josh Curran to the Bulldogs is a blow, but the Warriors have added premiership backrower Kurt Capewell.
Rating: B
Coach status and safety rating: Andrew Webster (2028)
The Warriors have wasted no time in backing Webster. After just one season, the rookie coach signed a new long-term deal in October. The deal provides the club with the ability to show stability and a vision to their pathways players.
Safety rating: A
Likely debutants: Zyon Maiu’u and Jacob Lagan
Maiu’u is a 104kg back-rower who was identified by the Warriors at the age of 17.
He is one of the players who will get his NRL shot in 2024 following the departure of Josh Curran. Lagan was signed to a three-year deal at the same time as Maiu’u. The duo were considered the two best back-rowers in New Zealand in the under 17s. Lagan boasts skill and a huge motor.
Who takes the next step: Chanel Harris-Tavita
He was just 23 when he stunned the rugby league world at the end of 2022 by announcing he’d be taking an indefinite break from the game after the World Cup. He fell out of love with the game. After a hiatus, the talented half returns with a point to prove.
Burnings issues
The Addin Auction
How the Warriors manage the exit of Addin Fonua-Blake. The release request in November from the outstanding front-rower was a major shock to the Warriors. After confirmation that he’ll be joining the Sharks in 2025, can the Warriors can the best out of him in 2024? And how do they replace one of the top-three front-rowers in the competition?
To retire or play on?
Can Shaun Johnson continue the stunning form of 2023? Another year older, the 33-year-old enjoyed the best year of his career last season. But when it mattered most, his body let him down with a dodgy calf injury cruelling his finals series.
RTS comeback
The return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be one of the most discussed footy agendas among fans. He returns to the NRL for the first time since 2021. He will be 30 years old. Can the former Dally M medallist play at the pace which saw him held in the highest of regard before he switched to rugby union?
Crystal ball
Shaun Johnson struggles to call full-time on his career in 2024, still burning from his controversial Dally M Medal snub, with the Warriors picking up where they left off in 2023. Watch for the Warriors to give serious consideration to extending the veteran halfback’s contract into 2025.
Finish the last five years
2023: 4th (Eliminated in preliminary final)
2022: 15th
2021: 12th
2020: 10th
2019: 12th
2024 TAB odds
Premiership: $19
Minor premiership: $21
To make grand final:
Top four: $3.25
Top eight: $1.65
Most losses: $29
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Originally published as NRL 2024 scouting report: New Zealand Warriors recruitment, debutants, burning issues
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