Act of Squad: Warriors predicted team and 2025 overview
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A sudden fall from grace last season quickly tempered ideas of the Warriors launching a new era of sustained success, however a look at their squad on paper for 2025 suggests they remain well positioned to contend.
As a team Andrew Webster's men were around 10 points worse off last season than they had been the year prior, with an inability to replicate the system – and possibly effort – which had made them such a defensive force in 2023 the main contributor, alongside untimely injuries to key attacking talent.
If they're to rediscover success then they also desperately need to make Go Media Stadium a fortress again, after ending last season with a modest 50 percent win rate at the venue, which has often been a huge advantage for them against Australian teams.
They've secured a near like-for-like replacement for departing prop Addin Fonua-Blake with Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris coming on board, but huge question marks remain over how they'll fill the void in the No.7 jersey created by Shaun Johnson's retirement.
Off-season recruit Tanah Boyd now joins a four-way logjam for the two halves spots, alongside Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
James Graham dissects the Warriors 2025 NRL Draw
A possible move back to the wing – where he began his career with the Roosters – for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck should open the door for highly-rated youngster Ali Leiataua to nail down a spot in the backline, while Erin Clark becomes a handy addition to the middle forward rotation.
The addition of Clark became even more valuable following Tohu Harris' decision earlier this year to follow Johnson into retirement due to a wrist injury
The club continued to be a sell-out success off the field last year despite their up-and-down form on it, but it's crucial they bounce back to being a top-eight outfit this time around in order to maintain the momentum they've generated over the past couple of years.
Predicted Round 1 team
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Taine Tuaupiki
3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Edward Kosi
6. Chanel Harris-Tavita
7. Luke Metcalf
8. Mitchell Barnett
9. Wayde Egan
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Jackson Ford
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Erin Clark
14. Dylan Walker
15. Marata Niukore
16. Bunty Afoa
17. Demitric Vaimauga
