Saturday, February 8

How will the Ins and Outs at the Warriors impact them

If I was asked to pick three players that the Warriors should cut from their ranks in 2025, it would have been Jazz Tevega, Bunty Afoa, and Marcelo Montoya. With Tevega already gone, all signs are pointing to the others following him. Here’s why that’s not such a bad thing for the Warriors and how other player contracts could create headaches or harmony, for Andrew Webster.

It’s now confirmed Jazz Tevega has signed a one-year deal with the homophobic Sea Eagles, after not being offered a renewal by the Warriors – at least, not one his pride was comfortable accepting. No one would ever question Tevega’s devotion to the Warriors jersey or his teammates, but you could be forgiven for feeling a small sense of relief that the Warriors won’t have to endure his error rate and poor discipline on the paddock. The funny thing is, those issues had significantly improved. But they were magnified whenever they occurred, due to his history. His work rate on defense is probably his greatest asset but he lacks the size and power to make inroads or game-changing impact with either, and his once crafty offload has been all but coached out of him. The money Jazz was on will likely accommodate Erin Clark’s arrival from the Titans and he seems to be in stronger form. It’s a solid trade for the Warriors. Clark’s durability and consistency will be highly valued for the Warriors whose injury toll created forced changes and an ongoing lack of fluency on attack.

If rumours are true and Montoya is heading to the Tigers, then it’s arguably the best player in the backline to let go. Not just for salary cap space but for his overall contribution. He’s lacked genuine speed, has mixed form under the high ball, and has been suspect defensively. But damn, he runs the ball harder than most and can be a solid finisher on his day. However, some might argue the bigger loss is his wife, Taylor, no longer producing on The Hits radio show once they leave NZ. Just sayin’.

Bunty Afoa is rumoured to be heading to another club, potentially the Eels if Campbell-Gillard can find a home. But my money is on Bunty staying of his own accord, in the hopes of proving himself to Webster and earning an extension, as he has done previously. But Webster won’t be fooled twice. Each time Afoa has re-signed, his form drops to its knees faster than a two dollar hooker in a K Road alleyway. If Bunty doesn’t have the worst metres per game of any player in the NRL, he’s not far off it. His $400k price tag will go a long way to improving the Warriors propping stocks, particularly with Leo Thompson looking to test the market in November.

While Addin Fonua-Blake is a massive loss, it’s not a bad replacement in James Fisher-Harris. But it’s not like for like. JFH is not a meter-eater, but Addin is not known for his rushing, tough-as-teak defense. So the meters are going to have to come from Barnett and others. Under Webster, Addin added try-scoring prop to his resume. Under Webster, Barnett earned a State of Origin call-up. So while Fisher-Harris probably has nothing else left to prove or add to his resume, it will be intriguing to see how he develops.

And the future looks bright. The Warriors could have a small war chest at their disposal to lure players, for 2026.

Off contract at the end of 2025 – Tohu Harris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Charnze Nicol-Klokstad, Dylan Walker, Taine Tuaupiki, Adam Pompey, Te Marie Martin, Ali Leiataua, Jackson Ford, Ed Kosi.  That’s a rock solid line-up and you would expect only half of those players to be retained, with Harris most likely to retire.

There’s little doubt the Warriors will want to retain Leiataua, Martin, and Tuaupiki (possibly Klokstad and Ford – though Ford was rumoured to be considering a move back to Aus).

The most intriguing options for my mind are Tom Ale, Walker, and Kosi.

Tom Ale has had patches of form coming off the bench but has been guilty as OJ Simpson for some lapses in concentration on defence. With Zyon Maiu’u and Sifakula nipping at his heals, Ale may find himself surplus to requirements by mid to late 2025, particularly if the club snares another star prop. But if Ale can get in a great pre-season, there’s no reason why he can show everyone what he’s capable of.

There’s a logjam at centre and fullback, so barring an injury collapse of epic proportions, Ed Kosi is goneburgers – at least for 2025.  He hasn’t taken his opportunities as he did in previous seasons, and when they have come he has looked ridiculously out of his depth. He lacks natural size, and pace compared to others in the comp, and has been humiliated defensively on a few occasions in more than one game. Having said that, Kosi reminds me a bit of Shaun Johnson in that he doesn’t turn up and put on a show, off the cuff. He needs a run of games to build form and consistency. I hope the club stick with him. There’s more to the game than size and speed. Sometimes a player with heart and hard work can inspire and elevate themselves. I’d love to see this battler go the distance.

And then there’s Dylan Walker. A dream utility and with genuine footy nous that younger players could feed off. At only 29, he still had a few good ones left in him and seems to be aging like a fine wine. But have the Warriors got what they need in Erin Clark and CHT? I hope the Warriors keep him for a few more, if he’s willing.

All of this is second guessing the coach and injury may take some of these decisions out of Webster’s hands. But asking Webster who he thinks his best 17 are is like asking a Mormon which one of his wives he loves the most.

Likely starting 17 for Round One of 2025

1. Charnze Nicol-Klokstad
2. DWZ
3. Rocco Berry
4. Adam Pompey
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. Luke Metcalf
7. Te Marie Martin
8. James Fisher-Harris
9. Wade Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Jackson Ford
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Tohu Harris

14. Dylan Walker
15. Erin Clark
16. Marata Niukore
17. Demitric Sifakula
18th – Taine Tuaupiki

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