2020 Preview: Warriors

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Having promised so much only to disappoint with near clockwork regularity over the past decade, the New Zealand Warriors will be determined to forge a new reputation in 2020.

Qualifying for the finals once in the years following their last grand final appearance, 2019 saw the Auckland based club play out an all too familiar story.

Starting slowly - two wins from their first eight matches - before making a mid-year surge to sit on the precipice of the top eight, the final seven rounds saw the side barely fire a shot to finish in 13th with a record of nine wins and a draw from 24 matches.

Making minimal movement in the player market with Penrith rake Wayde Egan taking the place of Kiwi veteran Issac Luke, coach Stephen Kearney will be hoping for vastly improved results from a roster capable of challenging for a top eight berth.

Afforded one of the strangest draws of all 16 clubs, the Warriors will cross the ditch almost every second weekend, while Mt Smart Stadium won't host matches in consecutive rounds until August. The Warriors will open their 2020 campaign with a Saturday afternoon clash on the road against the Knights.

Why they'll win it

In a league full of superstar fullbacks, the Warriors can lay a convincing case for boasting the cream of the crop - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Producing a solid follow up in 2019 to the form that saw him crowned the Dally M medallist twelve months prior, the 26-year-old superstar ranks among a select group of players capable of changing the course of a game through sheer individual brilliance.

Averaging over 200 metres per game as part of a potent back three combination with Ken Maumalo and David Fusitua, look for RTS to bring out the best in his teammates while reaching new heights of his own.

Why they won't

On their best days the Warriors are capable of dazzling opponents with a style of play filled with ball movement and power. On their worst days the same side has been accused of throwing in the towel under adversity.

With so much of last year's squad on deck again it remains to be seen whether Stephen Kearney's side has the resolve to outclass the upper echelon of teams throughout the league.

2020 draw

The Warriors will play just nine games at their Auckland base of Mount Smart Stadium in 2020, with three games moving away from their home ground. The first of those is their Round 2 home clash with the Raiders, which will see them pair up with the Auckland Blues & ACT Brumbies for an historic league-union double header at Eden Park. Their Round 8 match is indeed Magic Round in Brisbane against the Eels, while they'll venture south to host the Cowboys in Wellington just after Origin II.

Overall the Warriors' draw is fairly well spread apart from the back end where they'll be on the road for three of the last four weeks.

Key player

Shifting across the Tasman with the intent of securing regular game time in the number nine jersey, Wayde Egan looms as a shrewd signing capable of rejuvenating the Warriors' style of play. Playing predominantly off the bench in his two seasons with Penrith, the 22-year-old Lithgow junior will be hoping to emulate the past feats of Ian Henderson and James Maloney by coming from relative obscurity to establish himself as a key playmaker for the club. Set to face competition from Jazz Tevaga, Karl Lawton and Adam Keighran for the starting hooker role, look for Egan to play a major role in the side's final standing.

Rookies to watch

As a club renown for handing youngsters a crack at the top grade, look for Josh Curran and Selestino Ravutaumada to see time in the Warriors' best 17.

Heading across the Tasman midway through last season from the Roosters, 20-year-old forward Curran will be hoping to build upon his strong showing for the Indigenous All Stars by securing a place on the bench following the season-ending injury sustained by Bunty Afoa. Following a similar path to Fijian speedster Suliasi Vunivalu, former rugby schoolboy Ravutaumada looms as a contender for a backline berth should injury strike.

Player movement

New signings for 2020: Wayde Egan (Panthers), Jamayne Taunua-Brown (Norths Devils)

Contracted for 2020: Bunty Afoa, Leeson Ah Mau, Gerard Beale, Adam Blair, Lachlan Burr, Josh Curran, Jackson Frei, David Fusitu'a, Blake Green, Tohu Harris, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Peta Hiku, Patrick Herbert, Eliesa Katoa, Adam Keighran, Karl Lawton, Ken Maumalo, Taane Milne, Kodi Nikorima, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali'i, Hayze Perham, Adam Pompey, Nathaniel Roache, Jazz Tevaga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

2020 Development contracts: Tom Ale, Rocco Berry, Israel Ogden, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Tyler Shade, Paul Turner

Losses: Blake Ayshford (retired), Ligi Sao (Hull FC), Issac Luke (Dragons), Sam Lisone (Titans)

Best 17

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C)
2. David Fusitua
3. Peta Hiku
4. Gerard Beale
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Blake Green
8. Adam Blair
9. Wayde Egan
10. Leeson Ah Mau
11. Isaiah Papalii
12. Tohu Harris
13. Jazz Tevaga 

14. Lachlan Burr
15. Josh Curran
16. Agnatius Paasi
17. Chanel Harris-Tavita