RESULTS: 2025 NSWRL U19 UNE SG Ball Cup Round 4
3 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Lachlan McIntyre looks at how the 'Wahs' might bounce back in 2025 after a disappointing previous season.
After ‘Up the Wahs' took the world by storm in 2023, 2024 was a season to forget for the men from Auckland. Despite some promising stretches and a handful of hardfought wins, the Warriors finished the 27 rounds in 13th. The return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the fold after his stint in Union was a highlight for fans, but questions remain over how best to utilise his skill within the side.
New Zealand Warriors captain and club legend Tohu Harris shocked the NRL world when he announced his retirement in early January, leaving coach Andrew Webster with some key decisions to make before 2025 kicks off. Harris had enjoyed a highly successful career and was expected to retain his captaincy role for the 5th season straight, but the weight of injury unfortunately made the decision for him. The club is also entering the new season without halfback Shaun Johnson, who hung up his boots to much fanfare at the end of 2024.
At the time of writing, Webster was yet to decide on who will lead his team this season, with a few candidates definitely in the mix. The arrival of James Fisher-Harris from the Panthers is a massive boost to the Warriors' forward pack, especially after considering the losses of Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake. Regardless of if Fisher-Harris receives the captaincy, he will be expected to take on a large amount of responsibility and leadership within the team, and there's no doubt that he will lead by example.
The Warriors will jet off to Vegas to open the NRL season against the Canberra Raiders, before returning home to Auckland to face off against Manly in round 2.
In 2024 the Warriors claimed the remarkable achievement of becoming the first NRL club ever to sell out every game at their home stadium throughout the entire season. This demonstrates the sheer amount and quality of the support that the Warriors have, and they showed us in 2023 exactly how that can give them the winning edge on the field as well. If NZ manage to start the season strongly and hold themselves through the tricky middle third, the club has the potential to build themselves into a momentum-drizen frenzy that takes them all the way to the premiership. The arrival of Fisher-Harris gives the side some extra important firsthand experience of what it takes to get the job done in the big games.
The loss of two leaders, Shaun Johnson in the backs and Tohu Harris in the forwards, are massive blows to the Warriors. The need to form new connections, especially considering the uncertainty in the halves, may hinder their chances. Furthermore they will need to ensure that they don't suffer from a slump in confidence, considering the disappointing nature of 2024 as well as the surprise retirement of their captain. Ultimately, the confidence, connections, and frankly, player stock and depth, is not on the Warriors side at the moment.
Rnd | Day | Date | Opposition | Venue | |
1 | Sat 4:00pm | Mar-01 | A | Canberra | Allegiant |
2 | Fri 8:00pm | 14 | H | Manly | Go Media |
3 | Fri 8:00pm | 21 | H | Sydney | Go Media |
4 | Sun 6:15pm | 30 | A | Wests Tigers | C'town |
5 | [bye] | ||||
6 | Sun 2:00pm | 13 | A | Melbourne | AAMI |
7 | Sat 7:30pm | 19 | H | Brisbane | Go Media |
8 | Fri 8:05pm | 25 | H* | Newcastle | Apollo |
9 | Sat 5:30pm | May-03 | H* | North Qld | Suncorp |
10 | Sat 5:30pm | 10 | A | St Geo Illa | WIN |
11 | Sat 3:00pm | 17 | A | Dolphins | Suncorp |
12 | Sun 6:05pm | 25 | H | Canberra | Go Media |
13 | Sun 2:00pm | Jun-01 | A | Souths | Accor |
14 | Sat 5:30pm | 7 | A | Cronulla | Sharks |
15 | [bye] | ||||
16 | Sat 5:00pm | 21 | H | Penrith | Go Media |
17 | Sat 3:00pm | 28 | A | Brisbane | Suncorp |
18 | [bye] | ||||
19 | Sun 4:00pm | 13 | H | Wests Tigers | Go Media |
20 | Sun 4:05pm | 20 | A | Newcastle | McD. Jones |
21 | Sat 5:00pm | 26 | H | Gold Coast | Go Media |
22 | Fri 8:00pm | Aug-01 | H | Dolphins | Go Media |
23 | Sat 7:35pm | 9 | A | Canterbury | Accor |
24 | Fri 8:00pm | 15 | H | St Geo Illa | Go Media |
25 | Sat 5:30pm | 23 | A | Gold Coast | Cbus Super |
26 | Fri 8:00pm | 29 | H | Parramatta | Go Media |
27 | Fri 6:00pm | Sep-05 | A | Manly | 4 Pines |
Shaun Johnson's retirement invites Te Maire Martin to stand up and become a key player for the Warriors in 2025. It's still very much unclear as to who will fill Johnson's gap long term, but it appears that Martin may receive the first crack at the halfback jersey, over the likes of Harris-Tavita and new recruit Tanah Boyd. Martin has four career appearances for the Kiwis and was a consistent member of the Warriors' 17 last season, with 16 appearances switching between the 6 & 7 jerseys.
James Fisher-Harris is hands down the most significant signing for the Warriors heading into 2025. He will slot directly into the role vacated by Addin Fonua-Blake in the number eight jersey, and his experience at the dominant Penrith over the past few seasons adds to his appeal. With 18 appearances at international level, how Fisher-Harris performs at his new club could alter the team's trajectory significantly. His club switch is somewhat of a homecoming for the Kiwi, who was born in Kohukohu on the North Island. Fisher-Harris will have to wait until round 16 to face off against his former club the Panthers.
At 25 years old, Taine Tuaupiki is hardly a rookie, but he'll be eyeing a breakout season this year. The fullback made six appearances in the top grade last year, but is sitting behind Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and the legend that is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Injury chaos gave him his opportunity last year, but Tuaupiki might just fancy his chances to impress this year regardless, and perhaps could be considered a smokey for a bench spot in the early rounds. He scored a try in the Warriors 12-12 draw with the Sharks in this year's pre-season challenge.
IN: James Fisher-Harris, Jett Cleary (Penrith), Tanah Boyd, Erin Clark (Gold Coast), Sam Healey (Cronulla)
TOP 30: Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Bunty Afoa, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Demitric Vaimauga, Dylan Walker, Edward Kosi, Erin Clark, Freddy Lussick, Jackson Ford, Jacob Laban, James Fisher-Harris, Kurt Capewell, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Mitchell Barnett, Motu Pasikala, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sam Healey, Selumiela Halasima, Taine Tuaupiki, Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Tom Ale, Wayde Egan
OUT: Marcelo Montoya, Zyon Maiu'u (Canterbury), Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla), Jazz Tevaga (Manly), Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris (retired)
DEVELOPMENT: Jett Cleary, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Kalani Going
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Rocco Berry
4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
5. Ali Leiataua
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Te Maire Martin
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Marata Niukore
13. Erin Clark
14. Dylan Walker
15. Jackson Ford
16. Jacob Laban
17. Tom Ale