SEN’s Andrew Voss has seen enough from the New Zealand Warriors' first pre-season hit out to predict an even better performance from Andrew Webster’s men in 2024.
The Warriors took the league by storm last season, shocking the majority of fans with an exciting and clinical style of play that saw them finish in the top four, before falling just one game short of a Grand Final appearance.
Despite the addition of former stars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tevita in 2024, there is a strong belief around the NRL that the Warriors will struggle to replicate the unprecedented success of last season.
With Andrew Webster in his second season and little to no players departing the club, can the Warriors go even further in 2024?
“I’m contemplating putting them in as a top four side this year,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Cementing what they did last year, I think they have depth and I think they have some good young talent.
“What I like, I think they’re a bit tougher to me, I know they were only playing the Tigers, but they were down to 12 men and I thought they defended really good periods there yesterday.
“I think the Warriors have depth now, I think it won’t be a false dawn last year, I think they can build on what they did last year and actually be better.
“So, that’s my first takeout (from NRL pre-season), the Warriors to improve on last year.”
The Warriors were upset in the first showing of the NRL pre-season challenge, going down to the Wests Tigers 18-16 on Sunday evening.
New Zealand will remain at home for the second and final pre-season game when they face the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon in Auckland.