New Zealand Warriors 2015 Preview

Disappointment. It has become synonymous with the Warriors that it almost has their logo perched under the word's definition. 2014 wasn't any different, New Zealand showed a lot of promise like the underachieving kid in class but their grades never improved to the next level: read no finals for them last season.

So once again the new term rolls around... some new shiny accessories have been added in the form of premiership winner Ryan Hoffman with some steady, if unimpressive recruits from around the league plugged into the livewires that are Shaun Johnson, Sam Tomkins and Manu Vatuvei plus once again, a successful lower grade team gives a good platform for possible success in the new season.

They seem to have unveiled a gem in the recently re-signed Solomone Kata who was among the top try-scorers in the Auckland 9s and will push for a spot in the starting squad from the opening game up in the Hunter. He was re-signed with a whole swag of their winning Holden Cup side, hoping that if three or four make the jump to first grade and become regulars in the side, it will help them pass the test and move into higher honours.

WHY THEY'LL WIN IT
Looking at their roster just on paper, New Zealand boast the reigning golden boot winner in Shaun Johnson after their four nations triumph against Australia in November. He will steer an impressive forward pack including captain Simon Mannering, who was in a rare vein of try-scoring form last season adding to his already impressive meter-eating. Added to this is a backline glittered with internationals who will be on the end of the impressive Johnson spiral passes and bombs meaning Warriors should score quite a few points this season.

WHY THEY WON'T
Traveling has been the bane of the Warriors since their inception in 1995 where they lost their first away trip to the ‘gong 40-28, it has been downhill since. They will be Harlem Globetrotters like in their own backyard but turn into the Washington Generals once the plane crosses to the mainland so if Johnson and co can arrest their away woes they will go far in the 2015 competition.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Simon Mannering
Most writers would highlight the obvious here and put Shaun Johnson as the key player in the Warriors side but while the halfback does have an integral role - it is the forward work of Simon Mannering with runs that bend the line and last second offloads that allow the space for Johnson to provide the spark to light the wick.

ROOKIE TO WATCH
Solomone Kata
This one is more obvious, he was already highlighted in the opening part of the piece and should see some game time in 2015 - he being Solomone Kata. The rampaging centre arrived from his native Tonga in 2011 and left a trail of destruction around the NYC in his two seasons in that grade alongside his impressive nines debut where he wasn't out of place amongst the NRL elite.

BEST ROUND 1 LINE-UP
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Glen Fisiiahi
3. Ngani Laumape
4. Konrad Hurrell
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Chad Townsend
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Nathan Friend
10. Ben Matulino
11. Ryan Hoffman
12. Simon Mannering (c)
13. Ben Henry
Interchange: 14. Suaia Matagi 15. Sam Rapira 16. Sebastine Ikahihifo 17. Thomas Leuluai