Home Ground: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Coach: Andrew Webster

The WAHs experienced a season to remember in 2025, until they didn't. Ironically, their coach Andrew Webster helped build the Penrith Panthers dynasty who would knock them out in the first week of the finals series at the Warriors fortress in front of a big crowd. This final performance truly highlighted the New Zealand team's vulnerabilities, including a shortage of depth in crucial positions, and underscored the necessity of achieving greater consistency next season.

Despite that, there were some truly remarkable moments earlier on, and the club should certainly strive to keep the development of authentic talent for the long term. Leka Halisima truly shone brightly and demonstrated remarkable improvement as a formidable attacking forward throughout the season. It also is worth noting that Luke Metcalf's performance as a standout half was a impressive until a season ending injury unfortunately altered the team's dynamics, which seemed to impact their offensive determination.

The loss of the captain and a dependable forward in Mitch Barnett, especially following his commendable performance in Origin I, also significantly impacted the team's leadership. With a host of young players and older outside backs, the Warriors lacked the discipline and creativity to be fully effective as the season headed towards the playoffs. Tanah Boyd picked up the number seven jersey but struggled to compete against more dominant half, such as Nathan Cleary and DCE. Despite their best efforts, Chanel Harris Tevita and Te Maire Martin did not demonstrate the necessary capabilities during a crucial juncture of the season, or offer the necessary support to take the pressure off Boyd.

Following a season-opening loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas, the Warriors maintained a strong performance for the majority of the subsequent 18 rounds. Notwithstanding a few minor setbacks, they achieved some commendable victories, including draws against the Broncos and Sharks, while also experiencing the odd nasty defeats. Their buzzer beating win over the Knights with a barnstorming run by Halisima really reflected their season, as it came from a missed drop goal, but a moment of brilliance saved the day. The team's performance, marked by a loss in six of the last seven games and a subsequent fall from the Top 4, indicates a struggle to overcome challenges and establish a consistent winning strategy. Some things will need to change.

Back to a full squad in 2026, the New Zealand Warriors should be able to replicate the highs of this season and continue to improve. However, they must come to terms with losing key players throughout the year and learn to adapt. Considering the increased playing time afforded to some of the younger players, they should be better prepared to navigate a demanding 24-round NRL schedule. With the integration of experienced leadership, the future prospects for the Auckland-based franchise remain positive.