As the 2023 season ends for a number of clubs, we look back on the highs and lows for every club, their best player, the changes they need to make for next season and an early prediction for where they will finish in 2024.
In this instalment, we look at the Warriors whose remarkable run up the ladder sparked a memorable finals campaign and levels of fan hysteria that have never been seen in the NRL.
NZ Warriors - 16 wins, 8 losses, +124 Ladder: 4th
One of the most memorable seasons not just in Warriors' history but rugby league history has sadly come to an end. The Warriors endured several years of relocation due to COVID-19 and languished at the bottom of the ladder as a result. The Warriors returned to Auckland and on the back of a new head coach in Andrew Webster, transformed into one of the most consistent teams of the competition and completely won the hearts and minds of all rugby league fans. Webster took a team of misfits into the top-four, resurrected the career of Shaun Johnson and united a nation. He thoroughly deserves to be the favourite for coach of the year.
Highlight
The cultural movement in New Zealand
The Warriors were on the outer in New Zealand with the All Blacks and rugby union dominating the headlines and the public psyche. Fast forward to September and the Warriors are playing a home final in front of a packed Go Media Stadium and breaking television viewing records whilst the All Blacks compete in a World Cup. It was impossible to go anywhere without hearing the ‘Up the Wahs’ battle cry, the corresponding song was an earworm and fans were even getting mystery tattoos in the lead-up to their finals campaign.
Following their preliminary final loss, Webster praised the impact of the fans who were integral in the Warriors making a deep run in September.
Lowlight
Warriors major sponsor’s ‘cheating’ tweet
ONE NZ CEO Jason Paris’ tweet about biased officiating against the Warriors was an unnecessary distraction. The Warriors took it up to the Panthers in a tight 18-6 loss during Magic Round with some questionable refereeing calls. The NRL were swift to slam the comments and Paris quickly backtracked and apologised. The only small blight in an otherwise perfect year.
Best Player
Shaun Johnson
It’s hard to single out one player but Shaun Johnson had a comeback for the ages. After a few lean seasons, many thought that Johnson’s career was destined to come to a close. However, under the tutelage of Webster, the 33-year-old regularly wound back the clock and led the Warriors to their first home final since 2008. The most impressive aspect to Johnson’s 2023 season was that he elevated the players around him and seemed rejuvenated while playing. He should be rewarded for an excellent season with the Dally M Medal.
Honourable Mentions: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Addin Fonua-Blake, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Wayde Egan,
What they need for 2024
Build on the momentum
The platform has been set and now that the Warriors have garnered unprecedented support in New Zealand, it’s time to capatilise on the success of 2023 and build towards the club’s first Premiership. The bar for the Warriors has been set very high but it’s clear that this team is more than capable.
Early 2024 Prediction
3rd
The team will largely remain the same and with the addition of Dally M medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the 2024 roster, this Warriors team will definitely be one of the teams in contention.
Grade: A+