2017 NRL Season Preview - New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors 2017 NRL Season Preview
2016 Review - Once again the Warriors flattered to deceive in 2016, finishing with 10 wins and 14 losses and in 10th spot on the competition table. After making the Grand Final in 2011, it was the 5th straight season the Warriors had missed the finals which is a gross under achievement for a Club that often puts talented rosters on the field. The Warriors, once again, collapsed late in the season with 2016 being the 4th time in five years they had lost at least 3 of their final 4 games. Similar problems arose for the Warriors in 2016, mainly their propensity to drift in and out of games and concede silly errors and back-to-back tries which led to a number of frustrating defeats.
The Club's defence was once again very poor as they conceded over 100 tries for the season at an average of over 4 per game. Some positives for the Warriors was their attack once again was as dangerous as any side in the competition when at full tilt, and the Warriors were excellent at creating second phase plays and also made the second most line breaks in the competition to the Canberra Raiders. The Warriors were 6-6 at home which needs to improve if they want to get back into the finals for the first time in 6 years in 2017.
2017 Gains - The Warriors made just the one off-season purchase, however it was a big one in Parramatta five eight Kieron Foran. Foran played some good football for Parramatta in the early part of 2016, however his life fell apart around him which led to him quitting the club and seeking a break from the NRL. The NRL Commission has only recently granted Foran a licence to play from Round 3 in 2017 such was the mystery and turmoil surrounding his life for much of last season. If Foran is fit and focused, it is a fantastic signing for the Warriors as he is exactly the sort of tough and resilient five eight the Club has been lacking. Shaun Johnson can be brilliant but can also be brittle and unpredictable, and if Foran can take some leadership duties and some structure away from Johnson, the Warriors will have a very formidable halves partnership. Foran is a great defender with a tough running game and solid kicking game at his best. The doubt around Foran remains the demons in his head and whether he can sustain the motivation and focus if an injury or setback occurs.
2017 Losses - The Warriors have lost Thomas Leuluai who has been one of their better players over the past couple of years in the backs. The Warriors will be banking on gun fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck getting back to his best coming off a knee reconstruction as he missed most of 2016 through injury. Other losses for the Warriors include Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Bulldogs), Shaun Lane (Sea Eagles), Jonathan Wright (Sea Eagles), Henare Wells (Burleigh).
2017 Player to Watch - Isaac Luke - In his first year back in his home country I thought Isaac Luke was well below his best last season. Luke was a powerhouse hooker in his final 4-5 years at South Sydney, with his dynamic running game, slick passing game and ability to hit hard in defence. In 20 games last season, Luke was relatively quiet with just 8 try assists and 4 line breaks, averaging around 70 run metres per game. At times Luke didn't seem to play with the same energy and passion that he did with the Rabbitohs and he looked a shadow of his former self. Maybe he got a bit complacent or was carrying some niggling injuries, however the Warriors need far better from one of their senior players in Luke this year if they are to get back in the finals.
2017 Draw - (favourable) The Warriors have 5 of their opening 6 games in New Zealand which gives them a huge opportunity to get a jump start on some of their competitors for a final's position. The Warrior's finish to the season is a tough one, facing 3 of last season's top 4 in the final six rounds, a period in which the Warriors have struggled badly over the past five seasons.
2017 Forecast - 11th (10 Wins)
It is really hard to trust this team given their performances over the past five years. For that reason I am tipping them to miss the finals for the 6th straight season. They appear to once again have a star studded roster, however big questions remain over their mental toughness and ability to get in the grind with some of the stronger sides. The Warriors should make the finals most seasons with the leg up this Club gets over the Origin period in particular, with many other Clubs missing their stars. Maybe Steven Kearney, after his chastening stint at Parramatta, will be a better coach second time around, and it has to be said that he did a good job while in charge of the New Zealand national side.
If Tuivasa-Sheck and Foran can stay on the field, obviously this team can make the finals in 2017 if they play to their potential. However I still have doubts over the team's defence and concentration. I'm also not sure about Isaac Luke after his indifferent form last season. I'm not a huge fan of the Warriors' forwards and am getting worried that the likes of Mannering and Hoffman might not quite be the players they once were. Once again, I think this side will thrill and frustrate in equal measure in 2017. At their very best they could challenge for a title, however I want to see it first from the Warriors before I go predicting anything grand from them. I think they bomb out in the final month once again.