New Zealand Warriors 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>There’s no place like home, especially for the New Zealand Warriors. The NRL’s perennial underachievers are about to enter their first full season of being based in NZ since Covid hit.</p> <p>After last season’s dismal 15th placed finish, some fresh Auckland air may be just what the doctor ordered.</p> <p>A new coach might help too, with Penrith assistant Andrew Webster installed as their head coach for the upcoming campaign.</p> <p>Like a lot of other teams who struggled last season, the Warriors have conducted a massive recruitment drive in an effort to shake things up for the better.</p> <p>Fans can expect the New Zealand Warriors predicted team for round one to look a lot different to the one that limped to the finish line of last season. Will this new look setup be enough to turn their fortunes around? Read our New Zealand Warriors preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Mitch Barnett (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jackson Ford (St George Illawarra Dragons)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Te Maire Martin (Brisbane Broncos)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Luke Metcalf (Cronulla Sharks)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Canberra Raiders) </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Marata Niukore (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Dylan Walker (Manly Warringah Sea Eagle)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Mitch Barnett and Marata Niukore headline the Warriors off season recruits, with both men expected to bring offloads and mobility to their forward pack.</p> <p>Elsewhere, the additions of Te Marie Martin, Dylan Walker, Luke Metcalf and returning favourite son Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will guarantee we see many different incarnations of the Warriors spine this season as they search for that winning combination.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Euan Aitken (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Eliesa Katoa (Melbourne Storm)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jack Murchie (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ben Murdoch-Masila (St George Illawarra Dragons)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Aaron Pene (Melbourne Storm)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While there have been numerous additions to the squad, a couple of fan-favourites have split.</p> <p>Euan Aitken has arguably been the Auckland-based club’s most consistent performer over the past two seasons and his departure to the Dolphins will be heavily felt.</p> <p>The exit of exciting rookie fullback Reece Walsh is what will disappoint Warriors’ fans the most, however. The electrifying youngster elected to return to former employers the Brisbane Broncos despite the Warriors being the ones who gave him his shot in the NRL.</p> <p>The departure of Walsh means the Warriors will have to look elsewhere in the team for their x-factor in 2023.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Shaun Johnson</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Time flies when you’re breaking ankles. It’s strange to think that hot-stepper Shaun Johnson is now in the twilight of his career.</p> <p>Now 32 years old, Johnson still lets his feet do the talking, but more so with his kicking game than his side-stepping abilities.</p> <p>The experienced halfback will be expected to shoulder the brunt of the game managing duties this year and allow his younger teammates to shine.</p> <p>Age and injuries have undoubtedly taken their toll on the one time Golden Boot recipient, but back in NZ you can bet Johnson will want to finish the way he began all those years ago – putting on a show.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>New Zealand Warriors Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>17th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Warriors have been on a steady downward spiral in recent times and 2023 might just be the year they hit rock bottom.</p> <p>Unfortunately, someone must finish last and collect that dreaded wooden kitchen utensil and all things considered it appears to be the Warriors turn.</p> <p>The upside of getting to play a majority of their games in New Zealand and having a new coach has been offset by the losses of Walsh and Aitken and the overall strength of their squad pales in comparison to nearly every other team in the NRL.</p> <p>It will take a mighty effort indeed to stay off the foot of the table and for the side that leaked the most points of any team in the NRL last season, running dead last in 2023 appears to be an unavoidable reality.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>New Zealand Warriors’ Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad</li> <li>Dallin Watene-Zelezniak</li> <li>Viliami Vailea</li> <li>Marcelo Montoya</li> <li>Edward Kosi</li> <li>Te Maire Martin</li> <li>Shaun Johnson</li> <li>Addin Fonua-Blake</li> <li>Wayde Egan</li> <li>Bunty Afoa</li> <li>Mitch Barnett</li> <li>Josh Curran</li> <li>Tohu Harris</li> <li>Dylan Walker</li> <li>Marata Niukore</li> <li>Freddy Lussick</li> <li>Tom Ale</li> </ol>