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3 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
The New Zealand Warriors started the 2015 season with a promising squad headlined by star player and 2014 Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson as well as their prized recruit in former Melbourne Storm backrower Ryan Hoffman, in a move that signalled the Warriors intention to introduce two key attributes that they have lacked in the past, stability and consistency.
The Warriors got off to a sluggish start losing their Round 1 game to the Knights in Newcastle, before gradually finding their feet with thrilling back to back away wins in Sydney against the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels in Rounds 8 and 9.
Led by superstar halfback Shaun Johnson and the stable backrow combination of Hoffman, Bodene Thompson and skipper Simon Mannering, the Warriors thrived during the Origin period winning 6 from 8 and found themselves in the Top 4 by Round 19. The Warriors were then dealt a harsh dose of reality when they were dismantled by the competition heavyweights the Roosters 24-0.
However, it was Round 20 at Mt Smart Stadium against the Sea Eagles where the Warriors season grinded to a complete halt, when Shaun Johnson broke his ankle scoring a try in their 32-12 loss. Despite denials from players and coaching staff that Johnson's season ending injury didn't mean the end of their season, the Warriors put in a horror run of losses losing their final 8 matches of the season to drop from 4th to 13th place by season's end.
The Warriors have recruited strongly for 2016, making arguably the two best signings in their history by snaring the most exciting fullback in the competition in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from the Roosters and a world class hooker in Issac Luke from the Rabbitohs.
Turning Point
The moment when Manly backrower and former Warriors teammate Feleti Mateo fell awkwardly on top of Shaun Johnson's ankle, that was when the Warriors lost their confidence completely in an 8 game sequence of losses to round out the 2015 season.
The Good
The emergence of talented rookies from last season's Under 20's side in Tuimoala Lolohea, Solomone Kata, Albert Vete, and Sam Lisone who all featured from Round 1 and revealed that along with Raymond Faitala-Mariner, the club has some genuine talent coming through the ranks in the next few years.
The Warriors backrow combination of Hoffman, Thompson and Mannering were outstanding as a trio but were unfortunately hampered by injuries to Thompson and Hoffman at crucial times during the backend of the season.
The Bad
Ending the season with 8 straight losses has piled the pressure on coach Andrew McFadden and if the Warriors don't hit the ground running in 2016 then he could be the first coach to bite the dust.
The Warriors are known to be a different side when faced across the Tasman, however this was not the case in 2015 with the Warriors only managing to win 5 games from 12 at home for the season. If they can't turn Mt Smart Stadium back into a fortress then they will not be contenders next season.
Best Players
Shaun Johnson produced his best ever season prior to his season ending injury and scored some scintillating tries throughout the Warriors charge to the Top 4 in the third quarter of the season. With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke arriving in 2016, Johnson will have a lot of the focus taken away from him by opposition sides. A similar scenario worked a treat for Cowboys star half Jonathan Thurston in 2015 whose game went to another level with the emergence of Lachlan Coote and Jake Granville.
Ben Matulino had his best season to date and could really come into his own in 2016 with the addition of Issac Luke at dummy half. Simon Mannering's permanent move to lock was a successful transition, with the Warrior's skipper providing ultra-consistent performances particularly in defence for his side.
Disappointing Players
Konrad Hurrell had an injury affected start to the season, however failed to live up to his blockbusting performances of his past two seasons in the NRL. Hurrell found himself playing in NSW Cup on a few occasions and finished the season on the bench as an impact player. Coach McFadden has made it known that a lot more is expected from him and it has been reported that he is being shopped around to rival clubs.
Sam Tomkins was flagged as ‘the biggest signing in the club's history' when he signed onto a massive contract with the Warriors at the beginning of the 2013 season. He now departs the NRL as a player who while was a solid performer, didn't really live up to the hype and it is very underwhelming that he has moved on without meeting these initial lofty expectations.
Rookies
This was an area that the Warriors excelled at with a host of young players making their mark in 2015. Tuimoala Lolohea played every position in the backline in his debut season and looks to be a superstar of the future. Solomone Kata burst onto the scene in the Auckland Nines and appeared in all 24 matches for the Warriors in 2015. Albert Vete and Raymond Faitala-Mariner were very impressive towards to backend of the season and will only get better in 2016. The future for the Warriors is very bright indeed.
2016 Chances
The Warriors have the strongest roster on paper than they have ever had in their history and while they ended their season with 8 straight losses, there are more positives than negatives for the Auckland based club. The additions of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke will bring premiership winning experience, while their full strength forward pack are now consistent enough to match it with the best packs in the competition. If they can start 2016 well then they are Top 4 contenders. Predicted Finish 5th-8th.
With such a poor finish to the season and 12 players leaving their top squad, it will be interesting to see who out of the new recruits can impress in the off-season. Konrad Hurrell and Solomone Kata will need to improve their defence to be the centre pairing and veteran half Jeff Robson could force his way into the Top 17 should Shaun Johnson require some stability in the halves.
Best lineup for 2016
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitu'a
3. Konrad Hurrell
4. Solomone Kata
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Shaun Johnson
8.Jacob Lilyman
9. Issac Luke
10. Ben Matulino
11. Bodene Thompson
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering
14. Ligi Sao
15. Albert Vete
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Thomas Leuluai
Ins - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters), Issac Luke (Rabbitohs), Ligi Sao (Sea Eagles), Blake Ayshford (Sharks), Henare Wells (ISC - Burleigh), Jeff Robson (Sharks)
Outs - Nathan Friend, Nathaniel Peteru (Titans), Siliva Havili (Dragons), Dominique Peyroux (ESL - St Helens), Sam Rapira (ESL - Huddersfield), Sam Tomkins (ESL - Wigan), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Sebastine Ikahihifo (Dragons), Api Pewhairangi (Connacht — Ireland rugby), Brad Abbey (Bulldogs), Ngani Laumape & Glen Fisiiahi (rugby union)