Home Ground: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Coach: Andrew Webster

It may be time for the New Zealand Warriors to conclude their NRL Premiership drought after three decades of striving for their inaugural title. However, each year it consistently appears to be just beyond their reach. The Warriors enter their 32nd season in the competition with an undeniable chance to deliver a maiden premiership for their passionate fans, steered by astute coach and former Ivan Cleary understudy, Andrew Webster. Since their last grand final appearance in 2011, the Warriors have played finals footy a mere three times, two of those coming in 2023 and 2025, although they suffered high player rotation and a range of substandard coaches, such as Nathan Brown and Stephen Kearney.

For the upcoming 2026 season, the Warriors present themselves as a team deserving of close attention, especially due to a fairly decent schedule. While New Zealand's sole representative team has yet to secure a championship, there is a discernible momentum building, particularly following a promising 2025 season that was unfortunately cut short by significant injuries to halfback Luke Metcalf and forward leader and captain, Mitch Barnett. With a favourable draw in 2026, their last bye comes before Origin III, and is followed by a run home that features only the Bulldogs, Panthers and Broncos from last year’s top eight in the final nine weeks of the regular season.

Following a remarkable ascent in 2023, the subsequent season presented a period of adjustment and some disappointing results that were hard to wear. However, Andrew Webster's team once again demonstrated their formidable capabilities, introducing both emerging and revitalised talents such as Leka Halasima and Erin Clark to the competition. Despite facing adversity, they successfully advanced to the finals; although a decline in their performance during the final weeks of the regular season proved detrimental, resulting in the forfeiture of a top-four position and the double chance advantage in the finals series.

The foundations have been laid, the roster is stacked, the time has to be now. With James Fisher-Harris, Leka Halasima, Erin Clark, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell and Demitric Vaimauga leading the way up front and a star-studded backline including Gold Coast flyer Alonfiana Khan-Pereria, Chanze Nicoll-Klokstad and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ready to capitalise on their work, the Warriors can take down any rival on their day. Star playmaker Luke Metcalf led the Dally M Medal count halfway through 2025 but his season was cut short by an ACL injury in Round 17 and the Warriors won only four of 10 from that point on. His direction and game control will prove pivotal in the close ones.

The Warriors have the weapons to challenge for that long awaited title, but they must apply themselves as a cohesive unit from early on and press hard throughout the middle section of the season - although minimising injuries will be critical to success. "Up the Wahs" will once again be the rallying cry as Mount Smart Go Media Stadium becomes an impenetrable fortress. A top-four finish is highly likely this season, as they possess the potential to achieve anything in the finals. Maybe this can be the Warriors year.

PREDICTED SEASON FINISH - 5TH

2026 Pre-Season Challenge

Saturday, February 14

Warriors vs Sea Eagles @ Mclean Park, Napier 1:40pm (AEDT), 3:40pm (local time)

Friday, February 20

Warriors vs Dolphins @ Leichhardt Oval 6:00pm (AEST) 8:00pm (local time)

2026 NRL Premiership - Round 1

Friday, March 6

Warriors v Roosters @ Go Media Stadium 6:00pm (AEST) 8:00pm (local time)