New Zealand Warriors NRL 2024 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement

The Warriors will once again battle for top 4 honours on the back of their defence and tenacity. The additions of Capewell and Tuivasa-Sheck bolster an already staunch squad.

The Warriors kind of came out of nowhere last season to finish top 4. The defining factor in their transformation was their attitude, especially under duress. Countless times the Wahs were pressured in matches and their new found resilience pushed them through what would have otherwise in years past, been walk-overs.

New Zealand made a significant improvement in their defence last year and finished the season as the 3rd best team in opposition run metres (1373m/gm) behind the Panthers and Storm. This coincided with them also being the 3rd best team in opposition points, conceding on average only 19.7 points per game. If their defence can hold their own again in 2024, which we think it can, then the Warriors are going to be favoured in the majority of their games.

We have all heard the old adage that defence wins games. This proved true for the Warriors last year as they were a very average team in scoring terms. 13th in the league in tackle busts (28.9/gm) meant that when they were in attacking position they had trouble converting their chances. New Zealand managed only 23.3 points per game despite being tackled over 30 times per game in the opposition red zone, again 3rd in the league in that metric. 

Shaun Johnson is coming into the season already injured and is in doubt for round 1. If he is unable to play and return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck falls flat this team could lose a number of must win games against average opponents by just not scoring enough points. 

Ins: Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Outs: Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Bayley Sironen (Super League)

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Rocco Berry

4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Luke Metcalf

7. Shaun Johnson

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Wayde Egan

10. Mitch Barnett

11. Kurt Capewell

12. Marata Niukore

13. Tohu Harris

14. Dylan Walker

15. Jackson Ford

16. Tom Ale

17. Bunty Afoa