New Zealand Warriors Mid-Season Report Card

The more things change, the more they stay the same. For all the new players the Warriors have added to their roster including the experienced Ryan Hoffman and flamboyant Solomone Kata, their form on the field has remained a mystery to supporters. At their best, the Warriors play the best brand of attacking football by any side in the NRL, but all too often the side allows oppositions to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Once again the Warriors have been able to draw upon their brilliant Under 20s depth with five players debuting so far this season, while youngster Tuimoala Lolohea has been a standout in the absence of the injured Sam Tomkins at fullback. At the other end of the experience spectrum, Manu Vatuvei brought up his 200th games in Round 6, before breaking a number of records surpassing the 140 tries scored by Nigel Vagana to become the highest Kiwi try-scorer, while his four-pointer against the Roosters saw him become the first player in premiership history to score 10 tries in 10 consecutive season.

On the recruiting front, the Warriors were able to add two of the best New Zealand test players to their ranks for 2016, luring Issac Luke (South Sydney) and Roger Tuivasa-Scheck (Sydney) to off-set the departures of Sam Tomkins (Wigan) and Chad Townsend (Australia).

Positives:
As always the New Zealand club are capable of producing tries unlike any club in the competition. The left-side combination of Manu Vatuvei and Solomone Kata has produced 21 tries between them so far, almost half of the tries scored by the Warriors. Shaun Johnson continues his development as the best entertainer in the game, with his efforts against Cronulla and Parramatta among the best tries scored this year.

Negatives:
Much like the North Queensland Cowboys, inconsistency has prevented the Warriors from reaching their potential. Four times in 2015, the Warriors have gone down after building a lead only for lapses in concentration to prove costly. Likewise, their defensive display against the Rabbitohs in Perth left much to be desired, conceding 36 points to be thoroughly outclassed.

Best Player:
While much of the praise has been afforded to his classier teammates, Chad Townsend has been the calming influence the Warriors have lacked in recent seasons. Able to take the pressure off Shaun Johnson with a strong kicking game, Townsend has also shown off a strong running game in 2015, taking the line on add an additional threat for opposition teams to be wary of.

Predicted Finish:
With six games remaining at Mt. Smart Stadium, the Warriors will have a great chance to threaten for their first finals appearance since their 2011 Grand Final charge. Much like last year, the Warriors will need to ensure a strong finish to the season, but with their mixture of experience and flair, they are capable of anything.
Top 8 finish.

By the Numbers

Won: 6
Lost: 7
Bye: 1
Points Scored: 261 (9th)
Points Conceded: 292 (12th)
Placed: 10th
Overall Ranking: =12th

Season So Far

Round 1 Knights 24 v 14 Warriors

Round 2 Raiders 6 v 18 Warriors

Round 3 Warriors 29 v 16 Eels

Round 4 Warriors 16 v 24 Broncos

Round 5 Storm 30 v 14 Warriors

Round 6 Warriors 32 v 22 Tigers

Round 7 Cowboys 28 v 24 Warriors

Round 8 Warriors 28 v 32 Titans

Round 9 Sharks 16 v 20 Warriors

Round 10 Eels 13 v 17 Warriors

Round 12 Warriors 24 v 20 Knights

Round 13 Rabbitohs 36 v 4 Warriors

Round 14 Warriors 21 v 25 Roosters