MANAGING EDITOR OLIVER LEE
EDITOR PETER WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOSPORT.NZ
COVER DESIGN rubyART DESIGN PRE-PRESS MERVYN HURLEY
PRINTING
WEBSTAR AUCKLAND PUBLISHER
Box 331-667, Takapuna, Auckland 0740, New Zealand
PHONE +64 274 599 503
EMAIL oliver@oliverlee.co.nz WEBSITE oliverlee.co.nz
ISSN 2463-5472 (PRINT)
ISSN 2463-5480 (ONLINE)
04
A preview of the NRL PREMIERSHIP and what’s in it for rugby league fans in 2024.
07 A preview of the SEASON AHEAD for the NZ WARRIORS
08 Rugby league legend SIR GRAHAM LOWE looks forward to watching the WARRIORS and their positive impact on the game in New Zealand.
11 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA is back playing with the WARRIORS after taking a year off the game in 2023.
12
FACTS AND FIGURES: We look back to all the record breakers at the WARRIORS since the debut season in 1995 through to 2023.
COPYRIGHT
14 PLAYER MOVEMENTS across the AUSTRALIAN NRL clubs and dates for the 2024 STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES
16 View the 2024 NRL PREMIERSHIP DRAW and plan your season ahead.
18 PROFILES of the 2024 WARRIORS PLAYERS including key career statistics
23 PROFILES of the 2024 WARRIORS HEAD COACH and his three assistants
DISCLAIMER THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER. ALTHOUGH MATERIAL IS CHECKED FOR ACCURACY, NO LIABILITY IS ASSUMED BY THE PUBLISHER FOR ANY LOSS DUE TO USE OF MATERIAL IN THIS MAGAZINE.
NRL PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS and PREDICTIONS for the AUSTRALIAN TEAMS:
25 BRISBANE BRONCOS
26 BULLDOGS, COWBOYS and DOLPHINS
27 DRAGONS, EELS and KNIGHTS
28 PANTHERS, RAIDERS and SHARKS
29 RABBITOHS, ROOSTERS and SEA EAGLES
30 STORM, TITANS and WESTS TIGERS
There have been some spectacular opening matches in the history of the NRL but surely nothing quite like this.
The 2024 NRL Premiership kicked off on March 2 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, with the exciting double header featuring Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos.
Growing rugby league into the lucrative North American market is a desired goal for the NRL and the highly physical, fast-paced game – played without any padding – should captivate the American sports fans.
“We have so much to look forward to in season 2024,” says NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. “The Premiership kicks off a weekend early in Las Vegas giving fans an extra week of football and an enormous opportunity to launch the biggest season of rugby league. The 2024 Premiership will be 32 weekends of football, packed with themed rounds, rivalries, excitement, and anticipation.” The new season will feature 204 regular season matches over 27 rounds, played across 28 venues, with more of the popular themed rounds including the Multicultural Round (Round 3), Anzac Round (Round 8), Magic Round (Round 11), Indigenous Round (Round 12), Beanie for Brain Cancer (Round 15) and Women in League Round (Round 22). A special night will see the Warriors host the Gold Coast Titans on Anzac Day in Auckland. Penrith Panthers equalled the record of three consecutive Premiership titles set by the champion Parramatta Eels side in the 1980s when they overcame the brave Brisbane Broncos in last year’s epic final. The Panthers have a squad capable of going all the way but they also have a winning mentality in big games that is worth so much.
With the new season already underway, the question for rugby league fans is – can anyone stop Ivan Cleary’s men from making it four straight titles and equalling the record set by the legendary St George side of the 1950s and 1960s?
The most obvious contenders to knock the Panthers off their perch are the Broncos. Perhaps the major sticking point may well be more mental than physical, as the heartbreak from last year’s Grand Final defeat will take some time to get over.
The Broncos took the Panthers apart in the opening 56 minutes of the final to lead 24-8. But inspired by a magnificent solo performance from Clive Churchill Medal winner Nathan Cleary,
the Panthers fought back to seal the match 26-24 and claim the largest comeback victory in a Premiership final.
The Broncos have a strong squad with match winners all over the park, including young stars Reece Walsh and Ezra Mann, but have lost two key players in Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to local rivals the Dolphins.
The Melbourne Storm, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters are all given third equal chance by the TAB at $8.50. All three clubs have reason to be confident looking ahead to the new season. The Storm will be motivated to give long-term coach Craig Bellamy a final season at the helm to remember and with a settled squad from last year, they look primed for a top showing in 2024.
The Rabbitohs missed the finals last season for the first time in six years – and just the third time since 2012 – but the recruitment of former Kangaroos and NSW Origin star Jack Wighton is hugely important. His positioning in a powerhouse backline including Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston will give the Rabbitohs a major boost. Star centre Campbell Graham will miss most of the campaign after under-going surgery pre-season.
The Roosters have a talented but aging squad with James Tedesco, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Daniel Tupou and Luke Keary all in the veteran category. Dominic Young (Knights) and Spencer Leniu (Panthers) are two world-class players who will add strike power to a team that could make an impact.
Somewhat surprisingly – given the outstanding season they had last year and the recruitment of Queensland Origin second-rower Kurt Capewell and the return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita – the Warriors are only ranked seventh by the TAB. If their home ground at Go Media Stadium remains a fortress for opposing teams to combat, then a run at the Minor Premiership is a distinct possibility for the Warriors. Anything is possible in playoff finals footie so the Warriors should be right in the mix.
Legendary coach Wayne Bennett is preparing the Dolphins in his final year in charge. The 74-year-old started his remarkable career as a head coach back in 1987 and will depart leading the Dolphins in their second year in the NRL Premiership. The Dolphins proved the critics wrong with how competitive they were last season so don’t bet against the master coach guiding his last team into the playoffs.
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EVEN THE MOST DIE-HARD WARRIORS FANS WOULD NOT HAVE PREDICTED WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR. /
by PETER WHITEThe triumphant return to playing at home in Auckland – after three tumultuous years based in Australia – was a reward for the sacrifices the club and players made to keep the NRL Premiership going during the COVID–19 period.
Families were torn apart for months on end, supporters in New Zealand could not watch their team up close and personal from the stands, and the club was hit hard financially. Not surprisingly, the Warriors struggled to reach close to their potential while based on the Central Coast of New South Wales – missing the top eight in each of the three seasons away from home.
But 2023 was a watershed year for the club. The Warriors were finally back at their home base and under the outstanding leadership of new head coach Andrew Webster – who was an assistant coach at the Warriors in 2016 and with the Premiership-winning Penrith teams of 2021 and 2022 – the team got better and better as the season developed.
The Warriors cruised into the top eight in fourth place – making it through to the Preliminary Final – where they ran into a red-hot Brisbane Broncos side that was unstoppable on the day.
A season highlight was the 40–10 demolition of the Newcastle Knights in the semi-final in front of a surging, full-house at Go Media Stadium. It was rugby league played as close to perfection
as you will get. At the end, the crowd as one belted out the team song “We Are the Warriors”. It was a special night in an unforgettable season.
It was another level of support that continues to captivate the sporting landscape in New Zealand and puts support for the Warriors and the game of rugby league at previously only dreamed of levels. There is even a three-year-old racehorse named “Up The Wahs” that has made a promising start to its racing career. A clear indication of how the support for the Warriors has transformed across social, economic and geographical boundaries is evident at Mount Maunganui College. The Bay of Plenty school is rightly proud of newly appointed All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson. But you won’t see any clue that ‘Razor’ went to school there. For the last 18 months or so there has been a large sign on the front gate facing the busy road that reads in large letters “Up The Wahs.” Demand for hospitality, merchandise, sponsorship, membership packages and match tickets has hit unprecedented levels ahead of the Warriors’ 30th season. But what matters most, of course, is how the team performs on the field. The portents look very positive that the 2024 season could be even more successful than the last. The pack will be stronger with the addition of Queensland Origin second-rower Kurt Capewell –who adds toughness and skill alongside captain Tohu Harris and Addin FonuaBlake, in his final season with the club.
LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST
HEAD COACH: ANDREW WEBSTER
ASSISTANT COACHES:
STACEY JONES, RICHARD AGAR, SLADE GRIFFIN
CAPTAIN: TOHU HARRIS
HOME GROUND: GO MEDIA STADIUM
WEBSITE: www.warriors.kiwi
TICKETS: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/one-newzealand-warriors-tickets/artist/1297217
CONTACT: 2 Beasley Ave, Penrose, Auckland, 1061
POSTAL: PO Box 12-224, Penrose, Auckland, 1642
PHONE: +64 9 526 8822
TAB ODDS: $18.00
WARRIORS ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
IN: Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Chanel Harris-Tavita (re-signed), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby).
OUT: Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Bayley Sironen (Catalan), Viliami Vailea ( Cowboys), Brayden Wiliame (retired), Ronald Volkman (released).
The 2019 Golden Boot and Dally M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from two years trying his luck in rugby union. He is a likely starter in the centres with last year’s outstanding fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad a dead-set certainty to continue in that role. It may suit TuivasaSheck where his experience, ability to step the tightest defences and put players into space, is a major gain.
Also returning to the fold is Samoa’s 2022 World Cup utility Chanel Harris-Tavita in a huge boost to the Warriors depth in the halves. The multi-talented playmaker can kick goals and crash tackle with the best of them.
If champion halfback Shaun Johnson – who turns 34 this year and starts his 14th season in the NRL – and hooker Wayde Egan can stay fit, the Warriors have every chance of making a run at the Grand Final for the first time since 2011.
Flying winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is a major threat for opposing defences to contain. In 2022 he scored nine tries from 18 games to top the try count at the Warriors but last year he was a try-scoring colossus, touching down 24 times in 20 games. Many were finished with his celebrated flying dive into the right hand corner. Warriors fans will be hoping they get to see much more of his trademark dive as the team looks to go one stage further than last year and contest the Grand Final.
Sir Graham Lowe has seen most things in rugby league during a lifetime of devotion to the game. The champion former coach of the Kiwis, Queensland State of Origin and Wigan teams, says the Warriors success last year is mostly due to the impact head coach Andrew Webster made in his first year in the role.
“Without any doubt, he is the difference. His humble, honest, forthright comments in the media, and his obvious love and care for the players, are for me the obvious, critical factor in everything that happened,” says Lowe.
“It is not easy to get the mix right. (The Warriors) have had a cast of coaches before Andrew Webster and none with any real success. He has shown that coaching is an art – it is not a science. Some previous coaches have been guilty of a scientific-type approach where they were maybe over-coaching players too much. That seemed to me to be one of the obvious things that was going wrong.”
Lowe says of all the things Webster has brought to the Warriors, it may be the changing of one word that has changed the thinking at the club.
“He has totally replaced one of the major words that you heard at the Warriors. It was always hope but he has now changed that word to expectation.
“He is definitely a breath of fresh air in his approach to coaching and he is able to get the best out of all the players. You cannot underestimate the rejuvenation of the Warriors under him.”
The footie played by the Warriors last season is the best Lowe has seen from the club since the inaugural season back in 1995.
He puts that down to how, for the majority of the time, all the players were playing to their potential. Perhaps the best example is how the revitalised Shaun Johnson responded to Webster’s approach and game plan.
“That marquee player, who is as good as any player in the game, has been provided by the coach with a game plan that is exciting for him to play and also allows him to bring out his potential.”
by PETER WHITE
Lowe knows there would have been plenty of learnings to take from the loss to the Broncos in the Preliminary Final, where he says the Warriors were beaten by a classier team.
“I know they would have learned from that and really focused on that and made adjustments to their game. I think you will see that this year.”
Lowe is feeling positive about the game of rugby league in New Zealand – from grassroots level up to the top level.
“I think the state of the game is pretty healthy, particularly in Auckland where the strength of the clubs is growing, actually. Now with the fantastic inclusion of women playing the game I think it has just brought along another level of excitement. It is really good.
“Right throughout the country, the barrier with the schools has slowly been broken down. It was actually pathetic how rugby league was kept out of schools.
“That is a definite hangover from the old colonialism and old school tie attitude. It is great how that has been broken down.”
There is no doubt that the Warriors have played their part in boosting playing numbers and lifting the profile of the game right across all cultural and economic tiers.
“I think New Zealand Rugby League is doing a big push encouraging younger
players to get into the game but obviously the Warriors are the shop window of the game. The great job that the Warriors did last year made a huge impact.
“This is certainly the best shape the Warriors have ever been in, in their short history, and you are only going to get a roll-on benefit from that.”
In the highly competitive Auckland market the Warriors have overtaken their cross-code rivals the Blues, according to Lowe.
“There is actually no competition. You can’t compare it. The Warriors have had sell-out stadiums every game. In many ways rugby have shot themselves in the foot with changing the rules like they do. The commentators, the players and the fans can’t understand what’s going on.
“It’s a recipe for disaster, whereas the NRL is working the other way to continually trying to simplify things.”
Lowe is enthusiastic about the Warriors chances of adding to the club’s legacy in 2024.
“The big historical moment for the Warriors was when they first started –and I know they have been to the Grand Final a couple of times – but last season was another major historical moment for the club.
“I think the same thing is going to happen again – if not better.”
Not many professional rugby league players walk away from a lucrative salary – and the adulation of their fervent supporters — to find what they want to do in life.
But in so many ways Chanel Harris-Tavita is no ordinary professional athlete. The Warriors’ utility back, who played 54 games for the club between 2019 and 2022, decided he wanted a break from the game at the tender age of 23. He had just had his best season in the NRL, making his mark with his incisive decision-making, accurate goalkicking and crunching try-saving tackles.
But the bigger issues in life dominated his thoughts. He wanted a clean break to sort out where he was going. Being a professional athlete in a competition with the endless, intrusive attention of the NRL has been likened to being in a goldfish bowl by players. “I went back to Samoa for a bit. I spent a couple of months there with my uncle, working on the farm. That was cool. It is a very simple life over there and really put life into perspective. It made me appreciate what I have here and the opportunities I have here as a rugby league player,” says Harris-Tavita.
“When I stepped away I didn’t have a clear plan of what I wanted to do. It was just take myself out of the environment and see where I ended up. I did a little bit of travelling around America, South America and nearly didn’t come back from Brazil. I had a good time in South America.”
Harris-Tavita knows walking away from the game was not universally popular with everyone but he did not dwell on any negativity. He encourages others to listen to their emotions and doubts if they feel that way.
“I just urge players to be honest with themselves about how they are feeling and what they want to do. Only you know, deep down, how you’re feeling about whatever situation you are in. Even if it is going against the grain, just back yourself. I know how hard it was to step away from the game.
“Life’s about making mistakes and learning from them so even if it wasn’t the right decision for me, I am still wanting to own that
decision. Back then that was the best decision for me and now I am back, I am refreshed, I am happy. I am proud of myself for that decision and now I am ready to go.”
A key moment in deciding to re-join the Warriors came at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. Harris-Tavita was in the Samoan team along with assistant coach Andrew Webster and enjoyed his time with the soon-to-be appointed Warriors head coach.
“He kept in touch with me every couple of months. The longer I thought about it and watched the boys, the more I thought I am young enough to get myself back into shape.
“The idea of getting back into the professional environment grew on me. Now I know is the time to take full advantage of what I can do while I am young. I have a lot of friends at this club I have built strong relationships with from when I started here – it feels like the right decision to come back.”
Harris-Tavita was initially unsure how he would slot back into the rigours of pre-season training after a year away from the game but he had nothing to worry about. In the time he had been a full-time professional, Harris-Tavita had grown a reputation for being meticulous with his preparation and always pushing himself to improve every aspect of his game.
“I trained for three weeks before I was due to be back. I was that excited I went for a goalkicking session with Daryl Halligan and with my second kick I did my groin. Luckily, we have a good physio team here and they got me back up and running before day one of pre-season. So yeah, I’m flying now.”
Watching last year’s successful run to the finals brought mixed emotions for Harris-Tavita.
“It was a bit of happiness and a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) but I kept a close eye on them and that is one of the reasons I came back to this club. I saw a lot of potential and I think we can go a step further this year.
“There is lots of competition – not just in the halves but across the team – and that is only going to make the team better. I have been signed as a halfback but wherever Webby wants me to play, that’s where I am going to play.”
FIND OUT WHO HAS PLAYED THE MOST GAMES, SCORED THE MOST POINTS OR WON THE MOST PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
301|
261|
Most games played Simon Mannering (2005-2018).
Second most games played Stacey Jones (1995–2005, 2009).
1135|
Most points scored Shaun Johnson (2011-2018, 2022-2023).
29|
Most try assists NRL 2023 season Shaun Johnson
24||
Most tries in a season Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2023).
224|
Most points in a season Ivan Cleary (2002).
5| Player of the Year awards won by Simon Mannering (2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016).
152 |
Most tries Manu Vatuvei (2004-2017).
28|
Most points in a match Gene Ngamu (1996), Ivan Cleary (2002), James Maloney (2010).
38,405 |Record home attendance v Parramatta Eels at Eden Park (2011).
66|
Biggest winning margin 66–0 v South Sydney Rabbitohs (2006).
348| Games played by Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones combined.
2||Hall of Fame members Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones
8||Most consecutive wins (2002).
7||Most consecutive home wins (2008).
5||Most consecutive away wins (2002).
2||Grand Finals played (2002 and 2011).
1||Minor Premiership won (2002).
10||Times made the Top 8 playoffs
17||Most wins in one season (2002).
BRISBANE BRONCOS |
IN: Fletcher Baker (Roosters), Jaiyden Hunt (Dragons).
OUT: Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Keenan Palasia (Titans), Ethan Quai-Ward (released).
GOLD COAST TITANS |
IN: Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Harley Smith-Shields (Raiders).
OUT: Aaron Booth (retired), Patrick Herbert (released), Kruise Leeming (Wigan), Sam McIntyre (Cowboys), Thomas Mikaele (Cowboys), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs).
MANLY SEA EAGLES |
IN: Luke Brooks (Tigers), Bailey Hodgson (Knights), Aitasi James (Tigers), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Tommy Talau (Tigers), Corey Waddell (Bulldogs), Brandon Wakeham (Tigers).
OUT: Latu Fainu (Tigers), Samuela Fainu (Tigers), Morgan Harper (Eels), Sean Keppie (Rabbitohs), Kelma Tuilagi (Eels), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders).
BULLDOGS |
IN: Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Josh Curran ( Warriors), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Jake Turpin (Roosters), Bronson Xerri (return from ban).
OUT: Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Fa’amanu Brown (Hull), Brandon Clarke (released), Andrew Davey (retired), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Dragons), Kyle Flanagan ( Dragons), Michael Gabrael (Sharks), Jayden Okunbor (Hull), Tevita Pangai Junior (retired), Franklin Pele (Hull), Josh Reynolds (retired), Luke Thompson (Wigan), Corey Waddell (Manly).
CANBERRA RAIDERS |
IN: Zac Hosking (Panthers), Simi Sasagi (Knights), Kaeo Weekes (Manly), Morgan Smithies (Wigan).
OUT: Jarrod Croker (retired), Matt Frawley (Leeds), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Harley Smith-Shields (Titans), Jack Whiten (Rabbitohs), Semi Valemei (Cowboys).
MELBOURNE STORM |
IN: Shawn Blore (Tigers).
OUT: Tom Eisenhuth (Dragons), Jayden Nikorima (Catalan), Justin Olam (Tigers), Tariq Sims (Catalan).
CRONULLA SHARKS |
IN: Billy Burns (Dragons), Michael Gabrael (Bulldogs).
OUT: Wade Graham (retired), Tuku Hau Tapuha (released), Matt Moylan (Leigh), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs).
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS |
IN: Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Tom Jenkins (Panthers), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), Will Pryce (Huddersfield).
OUT: Fa’amanu Brown (Hull), Adam Clune (Huddersfield), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington), Bailey Hodgson (Manly), Oryn Keeley (Dolphins), Kurt Mann (Bulldogs), Lachlan Miller (Leeds), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Dominic Young (Roosters).
SYDNEY ROOSTERS |
IN: Spencer Leniu (Panthers), Lewis Murphy (Wakefield), Dominic Young (Knights).
OUT: Corey Allan (Dragons), Fletcher Baker (Broncos), Thomas Deakin (Huddersfield), Elie El-Zakhem (Castleford), Tuku Hau Tapuha (Sharks), Drew Hutchison (Bulldogs), Vuate Karawalevu (released), Matthew Lodge (Manly), Paul Momirovski (Leeds), Jaxson Paulo (Manly), Jake Turpin (Bulldogs).
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS |
IN: Jake Clifford (Hull), Thomas Mikaele (Titans), Viliami Vailea (Warriors).
OUT: Peta Hiku (Hull Kingston Rovers), Sylvester Namo (Castleford), Riley Price (Panthers), James Tamou (retired).
IN: Morgan Harper (Manly), Kelma Tuilagi (Manly).
OUT: Jake Arthur (Manly), Waqa Blake (St Helens), Nathan Brown (released), Andrew Davey (retired), Josh Hodgson (retired), Jack Murchie (Huddersfield), Mitch Rein (Retired).
IN: Latu Fainu (Manly), Samuela Fainu (Manly), Justin Olam (Storm), Aidan Sezer (Leeds), Jayden Sullivan (Dragons).
OUT: Shawn Blore (Storm), Luke Brooks (Manly), Aitasi James (Manly), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Ken Maumalo (Titans), Joe Ofahengaue (Eels), Tommy Talau (Manly), Brandon Wakeham (Manly).
DOLPHINS |
IN: Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Thomas Flegler (Broncos), Oryn Keeley (Knights).
OUT: Herman Ese’ese (Hull), Poasa Faamausili (Bulldogs), Oliver Gildart (Hull Kingston Rovers)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS |
IN: Sean Keppie (Manly), Jack Wighton (Raiders).
OUT: Jed Cartwright (Knights), Liam Knight (Bulldogs), Hame Sele (Dragons), Blake Taaffe (Bulldogs).
PENRITH PANTHERS |
IN: Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs), Daine Laurie (Tigers), Riley Price (Cowboys), Brad Schneider (Raiders).
OUT: Jack Cogger (Knights), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Tom Jenkins (Knights), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs).
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS |
IN: Corey Allan (Roosters), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm), Raymond FaitalaMariner (Bulldogs), Kyle Flanagan (Bulldogs), Hame Sele (Rabbitohs).
OUT: Billy Burns (Sharks), Jaiyden Hunt (Broncos), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Alex Lobb (Tigers), Moses Mbye (St Helens), Tautau Moga (retired), Zane Musgrove (Warrington), Jayden Sullivan (Tigers), Aaron Woods (Manly).
GAME 1: ACCOR STADIUM IN SYDNEY ON 5 JUNE, 2024
GAME 2: MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND IN MELBOURNE ON 26 JUNE, 2024
GAME 3: SUNCORP STADIUM IN BRISBANE ON 17 JULY, 2024
TICKETS: WWW.TICKETEK.COM.AU
ROUND 1
MARCH 3–10
BYE: WESTS TIGERS
ROUND 2
MARCH 14–17
BYE: TITANS
ROUND 3
MARCH 21–24
SEA EAGLES v RABBITOHS
ROOSTERS v BRONCOS
KNIGHTS v RAIDERS
WARRIORS v SHARKS
STORM v PANTHERS
EELS v BULLDOGS
TITANS v DRAGONS
DOLPHINS v COWBOYS
BRONCOS v RABBITOHS
SHARKS v BULLDOGS
PANTHERS v EELS
RAIDERS v WESTS TIGERS
COWBOYS v KNIGHTS
STORM v WARRIORS
SEA EAGLES v ROOSTERS
DOLPHINS v DRAGONS
PANTHERS v BRONCOS
WARRIORS v RAIDERS
ROOSTERS v RABBITOHS
BULLDOGS v TITANS
DRAGONS v COWBOYS
WESTS TIGERS v SHARKS
EELS v SEA EAGLES
BYE: DOLPHINS KNIGHTS v STORM
ROUND 4
MARCH 28–
APRIL 1
EASTER WEEKEND
BYE: STORM
ROUND 5
APRIL 4–7
ROOSTERS v PANTHERS
RABBITOHS v BULLDOGS
BRONCOS v COWBOYS
DRAGONS v SEA EAGLES
TITANS v DOLPHINS
WARRIORS v KNIGHTS
SHARKS v RAIDERS
EELS v WESTS TIGERS
STORM v BRONCOS
BULLDOGS v ROOSTERS
KNIGHTS v DRAGONS
RABBITOHS v WARRIORS
SEA EAGLES v PANTHERS
DOLPHINS v WESTS TIGERS
COWBOYS v TITANS
BYE: SHARKS RAIDERS v EELS
ROUND 6
APRIL 11–14
KNIGHTS v ROOSTERS
STORM v BULLDOGS
BRONCOS v DOLPHINS
WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES
EELS v COWBOYS
RABBITOHS v SHARKS
WESTS TIGERS v DRAGONS
BYE: PANTHERS RAIDERS v TITANS
ROUND 7
APRIL 18–21
ROOSTERS v STORM
DRAGONS v WARRIORS
EELS v DOLPHINS
PANTHERS v WESTS TIGERS
TITANS v SEA EAGLES
BRONCOS v RAIDERS
BULLDOGS v KNIGHTS
BYE: RABBITOHS SHARKS v COWBOYS
ROUND 8
APRIL 25–28
ANZAC DAY
THURSDAY APRIL 25
WARRIORS v TITANS
DRAGONS v ROOSTERS
STORM v RABBITOHS
SEA EAGLES v EELS
WESTS TIGERS v BRONCOS
COWBOYS v PANTHERS
DOLPHINS v KNIGHTS
BYE: BULLDOGS RAIDERS v SHARKS
ROUND 9
MAY 2–5
RABBITOHS v PANTHERS
SEA EAGLES v RAIDERS
BRONCOS v ROOSTERS
BULLDOGS v WESTS TIGERS
TITANS v STORM
COWBOYS v DOLPHINS
KNIGHTS v WARRIORS
BYE: EELS SHARKS v DRAGONS
DOLPHINS v SEA EAGLES
ROUND 10
MAY 9–12
PANTHERS v BULLDOGS
EELS v BRONCOS
WESTS TIGERS v KNIGHTS
DRAGONS v RABBITOHS
STORM v SHARKS
ROOSTERS v WARRIORS
BYE: RAIDERS TITANS v COWBOYS
ROUND 11
MAY 17–19
MAGIC ROUND, BRISBANE
RAIDERS v BULLDOGS
SEA EAGLES v BRONCOS
TITANS v KNIGHTS
SHARKS v ROOSTERS
RABBITOHS v COWBOYS
WARRIORS v PANTHERS
STORM v EELS
BYE: DRAGONS WESTS TIGERS v DOLPHINS
BULLDOGS v DRAGONS
ROUND 12
MAY 23–26
COWBOYS v WESTS TIGERS
SEA EAGLES v STORM
RAIDERS v ROOSTERS
SHARKS v PANTHERS
RABBITOHS v EELS
BRONCOS v TITANS
BYE: KNIGHTS WARRIORS v DOLPHINS
ROUND 13
MAY 30–JUNE 2
KING’S BIRTHDAY
MONDAY JUNE 3
EELS v SHARKS
KNIGHTS v BULLDOGS
PANTHERS v DRAGONS
DOLPHINS v RAIDERS
ROOSTERS v COWBOYS
BYES: BRONCOS, RABBITOHS, SEA EAGLES, STORM, WESTS TIGERS, TITANS, WARRIORS
DRAGONS v WESTS TIGERS
ROUND 14
JUNE 7–10
TITANS v RABBITOHS
COWBOYS v WARRIORS
BRONCOS v SHARKS
STORM v KNIGHTS
PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES
BULLDOGS v EELS
BYES: DOLPHINS, RAIDERS, ROOSTERS
ROUND 15
JUNE 13–16
SHARKS v DOLPHINS
RAIDERS v COWBOYS
RABBITOHS v BRONCOS
WESTS TIGERS v TITANS
WARRIORS v STORM
EELS v ROOSTERS
SEA EAGLES v DRAGONS
BYE: BULLDOGS KNIGHTS v PANTHERS
ROUND 16
JUNE 21–23
DOLPHINS v STORM
TITANS v WARRIORS
ROOSTERS v BULLDOGS
RABBITOHS v SEA EAGLES
WESTS TIGERS v RAIDERS
BYES: BRONCOS, COWBOYS, DRAGONS, EELS, KNIGHTS, PANTHERS, SHARKS
ROUND 17
JUNE 28–30
BULLDOGS v SHARKS
WARRIORS v BRONCOS
KNIGHTS v EELS
STORM v RAIDERS
DRAGONS v DOLPHINS
PANTHERS v COWBOYS
ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS
BYES: RABBITOHS, SEA EAGLES, TITANS
ROUND 18
JULY 4–7
EELS v RABBITOHS
SHARKS v TITANS
BRONCOS v PANTHERS
BULLDOGS v WARRIORS
WESTS TIGERS v STORM
COWBOYS v SEA EAGLES
ROOSTERS v DRAGONS
BYE: DOLPHINS RAIDERS v KNIGHTS
ROUND 19
JULY 11–14
DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS
SHARKS v WESTS TIGERS
TITANS v EELS
BRONCOS v DRAGONS
SEA EAGLES v KNIGHTS
BYES: BULLDOGS, COWBOYS, PANTHERS, RAIDERS, ROOSTERS, STORM, WARRIORS
ROUND 20
JULY 19–21
RAIDERS v WARRIORS
RABBITOHS v WESTS TIGERS
KNIGHTS v BRONCOS
STORM v ROOSTERS
PANTHERS v DOLPHINS
SEA EAGLES v TITANS
COWBOYS v BULLDOGS
BYES: DRAGONS, EELS, SHARKS
ROUND 21
JULY 26–28
WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
EELS v STORM
BRONCOS v BULLDOGS
COWBOYS v SHARKS
ROOSTERS v SEA EAGLES
DRAGONS v PANTHERS
DOLPHONS v TITANS
BYE: KNIGHTS RAIDERS v RABBITOHS
ROUND 22
AUGUST 1–4
BYE: SEA EAGLES
ROUND 23
AUGUST 8–11
WESTS TIGERS v COWBOYS
WARRIORS v EELS
DOLPHINS v ROOSTERS
TITANS v BRONCOS
STORM v DRAGONS
SHARKS v RABBITOHS
PANTHERS v KNIGHTS
BULLDOGS v RAIDERS
RABBITOHS v STORM
TITANS v SHARKS
EELS v PANTHERS
RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES
COWBOYS v BRONCOS
DRAGONS v BULLDOGS
DOLPHINS v WARRIORS
BYE: ROOSTERS KNIGHTS v WESTS TIGERS
PANTHERS v STORM
ROUND 25
AUGUST 22–25
WESTS TIGERS v SEA EAGLES
WARRIORS v BULLDOGS
BRONCOS v EELS
RAIDERS v PANTHERS
STORM v DOLPHINS
RABBITOHS v KNIGHTS
TITANS v ROOSTERS
BYE: COWBOYS DRAGONS v SHARKS
COWBOYS v STORM
ROUND 26
AUGUST 29–
SEPTEMBER 1
BULLDOGS v SEA EAGLES
PANTHERS v RABBITOHS
EELS v DRAGONS
DOLPHINS v BRONCOS
SHARKS v WARRIORS
KNIGHTS v TITANS
BYE: WESTS TIGERS ROOSTERS v RAIDERS
BRONCOS v STORM
ROUND 27
SEPTEMBER 5–8
WESTS TIGERS v EELS
RABBITOHS v ROOSTERS
DRAGONS v RAIDERS
BULLDOGS v COWBOYS
PANTHERS v TITANS
SEA EAGLES v SHARKS
BYE: WARRIORS KNIGHTS v DOLPHINS
ALL NRL GAMES WILL BE SHOWN LIVE ON SKY SPORT. TO CHECK OUT KICK OFF TIMES VISIT WWW.SKYSPORT.CO.NZ
WEEK ONE: SEPTEMBER 13–15 QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS
GAME #1 (QF1) 1st v 4th
GAME #2 (QF2) 2nd v 3rd
GAME #3 (EF1) 5th v 8th
GAME #4 (EF2) 6th v 7th
WEEK TWO: SEPTEMBER 20–21 SEMI-FINALS
GAME #1 (SF1) Loser QF1 v Winner EF1
GAME #2 (SF2) Loser QF2 v Winner EF2
WEEK THREE: SEPTEMBER 27–28 PRELIMINARY FINALS
GAME #1 (PF1) Winner QF1 v Winner SF2
ROUND 24
AUGUST 15—18
SEA EAGLES v WARRIORS
ROOSTERS v EELS
BULLDOGS v DOLPHINS
COWBOYS v RAIDERS
WESTS TIGERS v RABBITOHS
DRAGONS v TITANS
BYE: BRONCOS SHARKS v KNIGHTS
GAME #2 (PF2) Winner QF2 v Winner SF1
NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL SUNDAY OCTOBER 6, 2024
GRAND FINAL
ACCOR Stadium Winner PF1 v Winner PF2
KEY: QF (Quarter-Final), EF (Elimination Final), PF (Preliminary Final)
HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WARRIORS PLAYERS INCLUDING DEBUT INFORMATION, KEY STATS, REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS AND MORE.
BORN: JANUARY 7, 1992 IN HASTINGS
JUNIOR CLUB: TAMATEA SPORTS CLUB
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 195cm
WEIGHT: 112kg
REP HONOURS:16 TESTS for NZ (2013–16); FOUR NATIONS (2014, 2016); MAORI ALL-STARS (2019)
PREVIOUS CLUB: MELBOURNE STORM (2013–17)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
MELBOURNE STORM v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA at AAMI PARK on 10/03/13 (round 1)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1)
BORN: APRIL 3, 1999 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUBS: PAKURANGA JAGUARS, MT WELLINGTON WARRIORS, HOWICK HORNETS
POSITION: STANDOFF/HALFBACK
HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 89kg
REP HONOURS: 7 TESTS for SAMOA (2019–22); JUNIOR KIWIS (2017–2018); MAORI ALL STARS (2022)
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB: WARRIORS v GOLD COAST TITANS at MT SMART STADIUM on 05/04/19 (round 4)
BORN: MAY 17, 2001 IN MASTERTON
JUNIOR CLUB: ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE, SILVERSTREAM
POSITION: CENTRE
HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: 94kg
REP HONOURS:–
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM at AAMI PARK on 25/04/21 (round 7)
BORN: SEPTEMBER 9, 1990 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUBS: HIBISCUS COAST RAIDERS, NORTHCOTE TIGERS
POSITION: HALFBACK
HEIGHT: 179cm WEIGHT: 91kg
REP HONOURS: 32 TESTS for NZ (2012–19); NRL ALL STARS (2022) WORLD CUP (2013, 2017)
PREVIOUS CLUBS: WARRIORS (2011–18), CRONULLA SHARKS (2019–21)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB: WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at MT SMART STADIUM on 04/06/11 (round 13)
BORN: JANUARY 28, 1999 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: MANGERE EAST HAWKS
POSITION: WING
HEIGHT: 193cm
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS: –
WEIGHT: 107kg
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB: WARRIORS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at CENTRAL COAST STADIUM on 02/05/21 (round 8)
BORN: JANUARY 9, 2003 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: PAPATOETOE PANTHERS
POSITION: CENTRE
HEIGHT: 188cm
PREVIOUS CLUB:–
REP HONOURS: –
WEIGHT: 102kg
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB:
WARRIORS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at GIO STADIUM on 09/06/23 (round 15)
BORN: OCTOBER 2, 1995 IN TOKOROA
JUNIOR CLUB: TURANGAWAEWAE
POSITION: STANDOFF/HALFBACK
HEIGHT: 181cm WEIGHT: 87kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: PENRITH PANTHERS (2016–17), NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (2017–20), BRISBANE BRONCOS (2022)
REP HONOURS: 4 TESTS for NZ (2016–22)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
PENRITH PANTHERS v BRISBANE BRONCOS at BLUEBET STADIUM on 19/03/16 (round 15)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at MT SMART STADIUM on 03/03/23 (round 1)
BORN: MARCH 1, 1999 IN COFFS HARBOUR, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: ORARA VALLEY TOMAHAWKS
POSITION: STANDOFF/HALFBACK
HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 86kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: MANLY SEA EAGLES (2018–20), CRONULLA SHARKS (2021–22)
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
CRONULLA SHARKS v MANLY SEA EAGLES at SUNCORP STADIUM on 02/08/21 (round 20)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v BRISBANE BRONCOS at SUNCORP STADIUM on 27/05/23 (round 13)
BORN: FEBRUARY 17, 1996 IN LAUTOKA, FIJI
JUNIOR CLUB: BANKSTOWN BULLS
POSITION: WING
HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 95kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (2017–20)
REP HONOURS: 9 TESTS for FIJI (2016–23)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v WARRIORS
at FORSYTH BARR STADIUM on 17/03/17 (round 3)
CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND on 04/04/21 (round 4)
BORN: AUGUST 22, 1998 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: WESLEY COLLEGE
POSITION: CENTRE
HEIGHT: 190cm
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
WEIGHT: 101kg
REP HONOURS: MAORI ALL-STARS (2023–24)
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS at SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON on 19/07/19 (round 18)
BORN: JUNE 5, 1993 IN APIA, SAMOA
JUNIOR CLUB: OTAHUHU LEOPARDS
POSITION: CENTRE/FULLBACK
HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 99kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2012–15), WARRIORS (2016–21)
REP HONOURS:
20 TESTS for NZ (2013–19)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v WARRIORS on 27/07/12 (round 21)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS at CAMPBELLTOWN
SPORTS STADIUM on 05/03/16 (round 1)
AWARDS: DALLY M MEDAL WINNER 2018
BORN: AUGUST 20, 1996 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUBS: PT CHEVALIER PIRATES, MT ALBERT LIONS
POSITION: PROP
HEIGHT: 188cm
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS:
WEIGHT: 113kg
7 TESTS for SAMOA (2016–19), WORLD CUP (2017)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB:
WARRIORS v GOLD COAST TITANS at MT SMART STADIUM on 02/07/16 (round 17)
BORN: APRIL 15, 1994 IN WINGHAM, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: WINGHAM TIGERS
POSITION: SECOND ROW/PROP
HEIGHT: 187cm
WEIGHT: 104kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: CANBERRA RAIDERS (2015), NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (2016–22)
REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for NZ (2017), 11 TESTS for TONGA (2017–22)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
CANBERRA RAIDERS v WESTS TIGERS at GIO STADIUM on 10/08/15
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON on 03/03/23 (round 1)
BORN: AUGUST 2, 1995 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUBS:
CITY NEWTON DRAGONS, ALTONA ROOSTERS
POSITION: FULLBACK
HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 96kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: WARRIORS (2017–18), CANBERRA RAIDERS (2019–22)
REP HONOURS: 3 TESTS for COOK ISLANDS (2015–17), 7 TESTS FOR NZ (2019–23), MAORI ALL-STARS (2019)
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at MT SMART STADIUM on 30/04/17 (round 9)
BORN: AUGUST 31, 1999 IN MANLY, SYDNEY
JUNIOR CLUBS:
NGARUAWAHIA PANTHERS, RUNAWAY BAY SEAGULLS
POSITION: FULLBACK
HEIGHT: 178cm
WEIGHT: 83kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2012–15)
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM on 18/03/23 (round 3)
BORN: AUGUST 17, 1995 IN HAMILTON
JUNIOR CLUBS: COLLEGE OLD BOYS, HAMILTON; ST CLAIR COMETS, SYDNEY
POSITION: WING
HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 97kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: PENRITH PANTHERS (2014–19), CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (2019–21)
REP HONOURS: 16 TESTS for NZ (2016–22), MAORI ALL-STARS (2020–21)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
PENRITH PANTHERS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
at PANTHERS STADIUM on 05/04/14 (round 5)
CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v ST GEORGE DRAGONS at CENTRAL COAST STADIUM on 02/07/21 (round 16)
BORN: APRIL 1, 1999 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: MT ALBERT LIONS
POSITION: PROP
HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 109kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS: JUNIOR KIWIS (2018)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT and CLUB:
WARRIORS v CANBERRA RAIDERS at GIO STADIUM on 20/09/20 (round 19)
BORN: JULY 12, 1993 IN CHARLEVILLE, QLD
JUNIOR CLUBS:
CHARLEVILLE, NORTHS IPSWICH TIGERS
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 100kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS: CRONULLA SHARKS (2016–19), PENRITH PANTHERS (2020–21), BRISBANE BRONCOS (2022–23)
REP HONOURS: QUEENSLAND (2020–22)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
CRONULLA SHARKS v PENRITH PANTHERS at BLUEBET STADIUM on 10/07/16
CLUB DEBUT: YET TO PLAY FOR THE WARRIORS
BORN: MARCH 20, 1997 IN LITHGOW, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: LITHGOW STORM
POSITION: HOOKER
HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 91kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: PENRITH PANTHERS (2018–19)
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
PENRITH PANTHERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS at 1300SMILES STADIUM on 29/03/18 (round 4)
CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at McDONALD JONES STADIUM on 14/03/20 (round 1)
BORN: FEBRUARY 17, 1998 IN SHELLHARBOUR, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: GERRINGONG LIONS
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 187cm WEIGHT: 101kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: ST GEORGE DRAGONS (2019–22)
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v GOLD COAST TITANS at NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM on 10/08/19 (round 21)
CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON on 03/03/23 (round 1)
BORN: AUGUST 28, 2000 IN SYDNEY, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: BEACON HILL BEARS
POSITION: HOOKER
HEIGHT: 180cm
PREVIOUS CLUBS:
WEIGHT: 84kg
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2020–21), ST GEORGE DRAGONS (LOAN 2021)
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v WESTS TIGERS at LEICHHARDT OVAL on 22/08/20 (round 15)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS at SUNCORP STADIUM on 14/05/20 (round 10)
BORN: JULY 29, 1996 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: MANGERE EAST HAWKS
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 106kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: PARRAMATTA EELS (2018–22)
REP HONOURS: 3 TESTS for COOK ISLANDS (2017–19), 3 TESTS for NZ (2022), JUNIOR KIWIS (2015–16)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
PARRAMATTA EELS v WARRIORS at ANZ STADIUM on 18/05/18 (round 11)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON on 03/03/23 (round 1)
BORN: NOVEMBER 6, 1995 IN MEADOWBANK, SYDNEY
JUNIOR CLUB: MASCOT JETS
POSITION: PROP
HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 123kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: MANLY SEA EAGLES (2016–20)
REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for NZ (2017), 11 TESTS for TONGA (2017–22)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
MANLY SEA EAGLES v PARRAMATTA EELS at 4PINES PARK on 14/04/16 (round 7)
CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v GOLD COAST TITANS at MT SMART STADIUM on 13/03/21 (round 1)
BORN: APRIL 17, 2004 IN MOTO’OTUA, SAMOA
JUNIOR CLUB: RANDWICK KINGFISHERS
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 110kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
YET TO PLAY FOR THE WARRIORS
BORN: JUNE 29, 2003 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: TE ATATU ROOSTERS
POSITION: PROP
HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 106kg
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS: –
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
YET TO PLAY FOR THE WARRIORS
BORN: MARCH 15, 2004 IN AUCKLAND
JUNIOR CLUB: OTAHUHU LEOPARDS
POSITION: SECOND ROW
HEIGHT: 183cm
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
REP HONOURS: –
WEIGHT: 104kg
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at MT SMART STADIUM on 30/04/23 (round 9)
BORN: SEPTEMBER 4, 1995 IN CHRISTCHURCH
JUNIOR CLUBS:
BURNHAM CHEVALIERS, PAPAKURA SEA EAGLES
POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD
HEIGHT: 178cm
PREVIOUS CLUB: –
WEIGHT: 98kg
REP HONOURS: 4 TESTS for SAMOA (2017), WORLD CUP (2017), MAORI ALL STARS (2022–24)
FIRST GRADE and CLUB DEBUT:
WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM at MT SMART STADIUM on 20/03/16 (round 3)
BORN: SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 IN SYDNEY, NSW
JUNIOR CLUB: MASCOT JETS
POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD
HEIGHT: 181cm WEIGHT: 98kg
PREVIOUS CLUBS:
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (2013–15), MANLY SEA EAGLES (2016–22)
REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for AUSTRALIA (2014), NSW (2016), MAORI ALL STARS (2020–24)
FIRST GRADE DEBUT:
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v WESTS TIGERS
at ACCOR STADIUM on 17/05/13 (round 10)
CLUB DEBUT: WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS at SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON on 03/03/23 (round 1)
BORN: JANUARY 17, 1982 IN SYDNEY, NSW
APPOINTED HEAD COACH: 2023
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
PENRITH ASSISTANT COACH (2021–22), TOA SAMOA ASSISTANT COACH (2022), WESTS TIGERS NRL ASSISTANT COACH (2017–20), WESTS TIGERS NRL INTERIM HEAD COACH (2017),
WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH (2015–16)
PLAYING CAREER:
LOWER GRADE BALMAIN TIGERS (1998–02), LOWER GRADE PARRAMATTA EELS (2002), RYDE-EASTWOOD HAWKS in the JIM BEAM CUP (2003)
BORN: MAY 7, 1976 IN AUCKLAND
APPOINTED WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH: 2017
APPOINTED NZ KIWIS HEAD COACH: 2024
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH (2017–24), WARRIORS INTERIM HEAD COACH (2022), NZ KIWIS ASSISTANT COACH (2018–23), MAORI ALL STARS HEAD COACH (2019), WARRIORS INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP COACH (2015–16), JUNIOR WARRIORS RECRUITMENT AND PATHWAYS COACH (2013)
PLAYING CAREER:
46 TESTS for KIWIS (1995–2006), 261 APPEARANCES for WARRIORS (1995–05, 2009)
45 APPEARANCES for LES CATALANS, FRANCE (2006–07)
BORN: JANUARY 20, 1972 IN PONTEFRACT, ENGLAND
APPOINTED WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH: 2023
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
TOA SAMOA ASSISTANT COACH (2022), FRANCE HEAD COACH (2013–16), LEEDS RHINOS HEAD COACH (2019–22), WARRINGTON WOLVES COACH (2015–17), WAKEFIELD WILDCATS HEAD COACH (2012–14), HULL FC HEAD COACH (2008–11)
PLAYING CAREER: DEWSBURY (1993–96), ROCHDALE HORNETS (1966–98), DEWSBURY RAMS (1998–01), WIDNES VIKINGS (2001) ROCHDALE HORNETS (2002), FEATHERSTONE ROVERS (2003)
BORN: JANUARY 17, 1991 IN GLEN INNES, NSW
APPOINTED WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH: 2024
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS:
WARRIORS NEW SOUTH WALES CUP COACH (2023), WARRIORS NRL TRANSITION COACH (2021–22), SKY SPORTS FUTURE WARRIORS COACH (2020), WARRIORS WOMEN’S COACH WNRL (2020)
PLAYING CAREER:
MELBOURNE STORM (2013–17)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (2018)
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THE NRL PREMIERSHIP COMPETITION WAS EXPANDED LAST YEAR TO 17 TEAMS WITH THE ADDITION OF THE DOLPHINS. OVER THE NEXT FIVE PAGES, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE 16 AUSTRALIAN TEAMS HOPING TO REACH THE GRAND FINAL ON OCTOBER 6.
LAST YEAR: RUNNER-UP
HEAD COACH: KEVIN WALTERS
CAPTAIN: ADAM REYNOLDS
HOMES GROUND: SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE
WEBSITE: www.broncos.com.au
TICKETS: www.broncos.com.au/ticketing/tickets
CONTACT: 81 Fulcher Road, Red Hill, QLD 4059
POSTAL: Locked Bag 3005, Paddington, QLD 4064
PHONE: +61 7 3858 9111
TAB ODDS: $4.20
Coach Kevin Walters knows all about winning Premierships. He was part of all six triumphant final victories by the Broncos and will need to call on all that experience to lift his players after last year’s gut-wrenching Grand Final loss to the Penrith Panthers. The Broncos looked home and hosed leading 24–8 with 20 minutes left before losing 26–24.
“We watched some important pieces from the final. What we gathered is that we’re heading in the right direction as a team,” says Walters.
“We just came up with too many unforced errors in the game and we stopped playing at the back end of the game. Nonetheless, we’re ready for another great season at the Broncos.” Walters has done wonders with the once dominant Broncos after inheriting a side in 2020 that had collected the club’s first ever wooden spoon. Just three years later he took them to the final. The Broncos have lost some talented players from 2023 in Origin prop Tom Flegler (Dolphins), 2023 Dally M Centre of the Year Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), promising back rower Keenan Palasia (Titans) and experienced leader Kurt Capewell (Warriors). English star Farnworth will be the hardest to replace but Walters has plenty of faith in 21-year-old Kangaroos winger Selwyn Cobbo, who looks likely to fill the gap.
Time will tell if the depth in the squad can sustain losing those players but Walters still has talent to burn, particularly in Payne Haas, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and superstar Reece Walsh. Former Warriors fullback Walsh proved he has few peers in the game as an attacking force but needs to work on his decision-making and concentration – he made the most individual errors (53) in the NRL last year.
Another young gun worth watching this year is 20-year-old centre/wing Deine Mariner, who scored five tries in four appearances for the Broncos last year. He should finally get regular game-time to showcase his speed and finishing ability.
LAST YEAR: 15TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: CAMERON CIRALDO
CAPTAINS: MATT BURTON and REED MAHONEY
HOME GROUND : BELMORE SPORTS GROUND
WEBSITE: www.bulldogs.com.au
TICKETS: www.nrl.com/tickets/search/?team=bulldogs
CONTACT:
Belmore Sports Ground, Edison Lane, Belmore, NSW 2192
POSTAL: PO Box 123, Belmore, NSW, 2192
PHONE: +61 2 9789 8000
TAB ODDS: $36.00
Bulldogs fans are among the most loyal and passionate but their patience is wearing thin with recent performances. The club’s last Premiership came in 2004 and it is seven years since they graced the finals.
The Bulldogs side that opens the 2024 season will bear scant resemblance to the one that came a disappointing 15th last campaign – with as many as six new recruits set to feature in coach Cameron Ciraldo’s 17-man playing squad.
LAST YEAR: 11TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: TODD PAYTON
CAPTAINS: REUBEN COTTER and TOM DEARDEN
HOME GROUND: QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM
WEBSITE: www.cowboys.com.au
TICKETS: www.cowboys.com.au/tickets
CONTACT: Golf Links Drive, Kirwan, QLD 4817, Australia
POSTAL: PO Box 577, Thuringowa Central, QLD 4817
PHONE: +61 1 300 462 692
TAB ODDS: $13.00
Head coach Todd Payten has opted for two young, home grown players to take over as co-captains for the 2024 campaign.
Tom Dearden (22) and Reuben Cotter (25) replace the vastly experienced former co-captains in Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend – in a move clearly made with the future in mind.
“These kids are what our club was built for. They are local products. They epitomise what we stand for,” says Payten.
LAST YEAR: 13TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: WAYNE BENNETT
CAPTAIN: JESSE BROMWICH
HOME GROUND: SUNCORP STADIUM; KAYO STADIUM
WEBSITE: www.dolphinsnrl.com.au
TICKETS: https://www.nrl.com/tickets/search/?team=dolphins
CONTACT: Corner Klingner & Ashmore Roads Redcliffe, QLD 4020
PHONE: +61 2 1300 PHINS UP (744 678)
TAB ODDS: $46.00
The NRL will not be the same without the one-and-only Wayne Bennett. This will be the 74-year-old’s final year as a head coach in the competition he has contributed so much to. Bennett will lead the Dolphins into the new club’s second year in the competition to finally close the curtain on a head coaching career that began back in 1987.
Typically, he will not want a fuss – no, just the chance to once again prove the critics wrong by guiding the Dolphins into the top eight playoffs. It took the new boys just one game to prove their worth last year, as they upset the Roosters and then won
Marquee signings in Stephen Crichton (Penrith), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Josh Curran (Warriors), Kurt Mann (Knights) and Drew Hutchison (Roosters) bring big game experience and a winning culture to the squad.
With versatile trio Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs) and Jake Turpin (Roosters) also added to the mix, the Bulldogs have greater depth in key positions and that bodes well for a big improvement on last season’s 7 wins–17 losses return.
Taaffe struggled for game time sat behind Latrell Mitchell at the Rabbitohs so should thrive with regular opportunities.
Head coach Cameron Ciraldo says Taaffe has already shown that he can be a quality, regular NRL player.
“He’s really come in and showed us what skills he’s got. I just like his instincts. I love what he does to the game. In the reserve grade finals last year, you could tell he had a high football IQ. He was communicating with his teammates, working really hard on trying to break down the opposition, but also working really hard on the ball.’’
The Bulldogs have drawn away to Sydney rivals Parramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks in the opening two rounds before hosting the Gold Coast Titans in front of what should be a packed house at Belmore.
“I see a lot of their leadership qualities day-to-day. It’s not what they say but it’s what they do. The way they prepare for training, the way that they go about their business on the training pitch and the way that they compete for their teammates. It’s the way they treat people, the type of men they are around the house and within the community.” Cotter adds real steel to the Cowboys pack. The reigning Wally Lewis Medalist for Player of the State of Origin Series, Cotter is widely regarded as one of the toughest players in the NRL.
Classy five-eighth Dearden’s decision to re-sign for five more years is a huge boost for the 2015 Premiership winners. His combination with experienced halfback Townsend will be crucial to the Cowboys chances of returning to the finals. Taumalolo remains one of the leading lock forwards in the NRL. The club legend is about to start a remarkable 15th NRL season. The 30-year-old suffered an injury-interrupted season in 2023, but was able to return from knee surgery just after mid-season.
A player to watch in 2024 is Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who impressed in his 12 NRL games last year. He will add to the depth of back-rowers alongside the more experienced Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki.
their next two matches. They were in fifth spot after 10 rounds but a lack of depth – after injuries and suspensions hit them hard – saw the Dolphins finish in 13th position. The canny Bennett has strengthened the team’s edge defence with excellent new signings Herbie Farnworth (Broncos) and Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), who will make a significant difference along with Tom Flegler (Broncos).
The Bromwich brothers Jesse and Kenny, Felise Kaufusi, Jarrod Wallace, and Tom Gilbert give the Dolphins a formidable pack. The Dolphins had no trouble scoring tries last campaign and have added some real star power in Broncos grand final duo Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler, plus Bulldogs speedster Jake Averillo.
Flegler and Farnworth played crucial roles in the Broncos run to the Grand Final last year – with England’s Farnworth named in the Dally M Team of the Year, after he scored 15 tries in 26 appearances last season.
Players on the rise to watch include 19-year-old five-eighth Isaiya Katoa and 22-year-old Max Plath. Katoa played 22 games in his debut NRL season last year and will compete for game time alongside experienced campaigners like Kodi Nikorima, Sean O’Sullivan and Anthony Milford, while the versatile Plath can play halfback, hooker and lock.
LAST YEAR: 16TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: SHANE FLANAGAN
CAPTAIN: BEN HUNT
HOME GROUND: NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM, KOGARAH
WEBSITE: www.dragons.com.au
TICKETS: www.dragons.com.au/game-day/tickets
CONTACT: 124 Princes Hwy, Kogarah NSW 2217
POSTAL: Locked Bag 1500, Ramsgate NSW 2217
PHONE: +61 2 9587-1966
TAB ODDS: $101.00
The Dragons finished a disappointing 16th in 2023 so for new head coach Shane Flanagan the only way is up. His appointment has come with plenty of controversy after his predecessor Anthony Griffin was sacked last May. The players were upset at the way the situation was handled with captain Ben Hunt particularly angered by the process. How he can work with Flanagan may be pivotal to any resurgence on the field.
There have been some gains in recruitment. Prop Hame Sele returns home on a three-year deal, while playmaker
LAST YEAR: 10TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: BRAD ARTHUR
CO-CAPTAINS: CLINT GUTHERSON and JUNIOR PAULO
HOME GROUND: COMMBANK STADIUM, PARRAMATTA, NSW
WEBSITE: www.parraeels.com.au
TICKETS:
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EELS24
CONTACT: 2 Eels Place, Parramatta, NSW 2150
POSTAL: PO Box 2666, North Parramatta, NSW 2150
PHONE: +61 2 8843 0300
TAB ODDS: $21.00
The Eels know only too well that a lot can happen in rugby league in 12 months. From the high of making the 2022 Grand Final to the low of missing the playoffs all together last year – it has been quite a slide for the Eels. They became just the second team in the last decade to go from a Grand Final to missing the top eight – despite beating the Panthers twice in regular season games. The loss of some key players after the final played a large part – and four games were lost by four points or less – but there is no doubt that
LAST YEAR: SEMI-FINALIST
HEAD COACH: ADAM O’BRIEN
CO-CAPTAINS: JAYDEN BRAILEY and KALYN PONGA
HOME GROUND: McDONALD JONES STADIUM, NEWCASTLE
WEBSITE: www.newcastleknights.com.au
TICKETS: https://knightshub.com.au/tickets
CONTACT: 32 Industrial Drive, Mayfield, NSW 2304
POSTAL: PO Box 152, Wickham, NSW 2293
PHONE: +61 2 4028 9100
TAB ODDS: $23.00
Last season was looking like one to forget after the Knights suffered seven losses in nine games midseason to find themselves languishing 14th after 17 rounds. Then the team stepped up a few gears to roar into the playoffs on the back of a 10-game winning streak. After that performance – and with an enhanced, quality squad – hopes are realistically high for a top four finish in 2024.
A major factor in the Knights’ brilliant turnaround was when Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga decided not to make himself
Kyle Flanagan will re-unite with his father for at least the next two seasons after signing from the Bulldogs.
Former Storm forward Tom Eisenhuth will be aiming to prove himself after being signed on a one-year deal, while the late pickup of Raymond Faitala-Mariner from the Bulldogs adds depth both in the middle of the park and in the second row.
A number of current St George Illawarra players are off contract at the end of next season, including Tyrell Sloan, Jaydn Su’A, Jack de Belin, the Feagai twins Mat and Max, the Molo brothers Francis and Michael, and Ben Murdoch-Masila. They will be highly motivated to up their game and secure new contacts.
Blake Lawrie, who won the club’s 2023 Player of the Year award, has grown into the role of forward leader and there is enough talent in the pack to compete with most teams.
Utility Jack Bird worked with the new coach at the Sharks but has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons. He is one of the most versatile players in the game – last season he played at lock, centre and backrow as well as No.14.
New recruit Corey Allan unfortunately suffered a ruptured ACL during a routine drill at training, ruling him out for the entire 2024 season.
veteran coach Brad Arthur is under pressure to turn things around quickly in 2024.
Hugely talented halfback Mitch Moses will play a major role in how well the Eels perform and he is part of one of the best halves pairing in the NRL.
Moses has played 217 games and at the age of 29 is at his peak as a halfback. He has one of the best kicking games in the competition and combines well with Kiwi five-eighth Dylan Brown, who will play his 100th NRL game in Round 1.
The Eels have recruited well, with the highly regarded Samoan second-rower Kelma Tuilagi and Morgan Harper joining from Manly. Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick will compete for the hooker’s jumper, with both needing to improve on last year’s overall performances.
Neither player has played more than 20 NRL games and with dummy-half being such a vital position it is crucial they both show they have the quality and consistency of performance needed to flourish in the position.
A rising star to watch is flying wing Sean Russell who scored nine tries last season. The 21-year-old should pair up with Maiko Sivo as the team’s wingers in an attacking combination with fullback and co-captain Clint Gutherson. Kiwi Bailey Simonsson is set for another strong campaign in the centres.
available for Queensland State of Origin selection. The inspired, attacking runner put a couple of early season head knocks behind him to brilliantly lead the Knights charge to the playoffs. His form and fitness will play a key part in how well the Knights do in this new campaign.
Coach Adam O’Brien is excited to be part of something that is “trending in the right direction”.
“Our group have come back in outstanding shape and allowed us to build on the footy model we created at the back end of last year. I’m highly motivated to keep working with the playing group we have and the guys that have come in have only added to that. The guys that have come in not only suit the way we want to play but we can suit them. They have been great additions.”
The Knights have recruited well, particularly classy English imports Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Premiership-winning halfback Jack Cogger (Panthers) and hard-working forward Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs). Cartwright is a versatile player with a unique skillset, having previously played middle edge and forward roles plus backrow and centre positions in the NRL.
Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings did a great job in the halves last season but Phoenix Crossland and Cogger will push hard for starting positions.
LAST YEAR: PREMIERS
HEAD COACH: IVAN CLEARY
CO-CAPTAINS: NATHAN CLEARY and ISAAH YEO
HOME GROUND: BLUEBET STADIUM, PENRITH
WEBSITE: www.penrithpanthers.com.au
TICKETS: www.penrithpanthers.com.au/about/general-attendance
CONTACT: 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, NSW 2750
POSTAL: Locked Bag 8322, Penrith, NSW 2751
PHONE: +61 2 4720 9100
TAB ODDS: $3.75
The Penrith Panthers solidified their status as the greatest team of the NRL era after completing the first three-peat since the legendary Parramatta team of the early 1980s. It was a relatively shaky start by their standards – as the Panthers won four and lost four to begin with – before outstanding coach Ivan Cleary’s team hit their stride to claim a third Minor Premiership in four seasons.
September is when teams need to peak and play their best football. The Panthers lifted their collective performances in
LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST
HEAD COACH: RICKY STUART
CAPTAIN: ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD
HOME GROUND: GIO STADIUM, CANBERRA
WEBSITE: www.raiders.com.au
TICKETS: www.raiders.com.au/tickets/general-attendance
CONTACT: 14 Torrens Street, Braddon, ACT 2612
POSTAL: PO Box 300, Civic Square, ACT 2608
PHONE: +61 2 6253 3515
TAB ODDS: $51.00
Canberra Raiders 2023 season was certainly a pass mark but for Raiders fans there was a feeling of what might have been.
The Raiders lost in the first week of the finals – to the Knights in extra time – after the team lost some momentum heading into the match by losing their last two games and just making the playoffs.
The Raiders have lost two club legends ahead of the new campaign in Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs) and Jarod Croker,
LAST YEAR: ELIMINATION FINALIST
HEAD COACH: CRAIG FITZGIBBON
CO-CAPTAINS: DALE FINUCANE and CAMERON McINNES
HOME GROUND: POINTSBET STADIUM, WOOLOOWARE, NSW
WEBSITE: www.sharks.com.au
TICKETS: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=SHARKS24
CONTACT: 461 Captain Cook Dr, Woolooware, NSW 2230
POSTAL: PO Box 2219, Taren Point, NSW 2229
PHONE: +61 2 9527 8200
TAB ODDS: $19.00
While the Sharks comfortably made the playoffs last year –ending in 6th place before being knocked out by the Roosters in golden point time in the first week – there was a distinct lack of wins against the top eight sides. The loss to the Roosters was the sixth-consecutive finals defeat for the club, with their last September success dating back to 2018. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s team lacked the cutting edge in key positions to topple the big boys which could happen
the playoffs with comprehensive wins in the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals, before one of the best Grand Finals in recent memory saw them sweep past the Broncos in a victory for the ages.
Nathan Cleary was the mastermind behind the calmness shown in that pulsating triumph. With the Panthers on the brink of defeat trailing 24–8 with 20 minutes to play, he almost singlehandedly produced the greatest comeback in finals history. He was rewarded with his second Clive Churchill Medal and at just 26, the brilliant halfback is at the very top of his game. The Panthers have plenty of other backline stars – including Dylan Edwards, Taylan May and Brian To’o, new recruits in centre Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs), fullback/five-eighth Dane Laurie (Tigers) and halfback Brad Schneider (Raiders) – to again be a powerful attacking force.
Centre Stephen Crichton has shifted to the Bulldogs after starring in the three Premiership wins so will be missed. Second-rowers Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin, props Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris, plus versatile new signing Riley Price (Cowboys), will form the nucleus of arguably the best pack in the competition. Winning four consecutive titles in one of the toughest sporting competitions in the world will take another Herculean effort –but if any club can do it, it definitely is Penrith.
who has retired after playing his 300th NRL game for the Raiders last year. Wighton has moved on after 242 games for the club and the five-eighth will be very difficult to replace. New recruits in second-rowers Zac Hosking (Panthers), England international lock Morgan Smithies (Wigan), centre Simi Sasagi (Knights) and five-eighth/ fullback Kaeo Weekes (Manly) are all capable players but a lack of big names signing for the Raiders will test the depth in the squad for Ricky Stuart – about to start his 11th year as head coach at the Raiders. There is a clear policy to look to the future with a talented group of young players in the squad who will benefit greatly from working under Stuart.
Who grabs the No 1 jumper will be interesting with fullbacks Xavier Savage and Seb Kris highly talented young prospects. There are three capable prospects to start at hooker in Zac Woolford, Danny Levi and Tom Starling, while props Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii give great go-forward metres.
Utility back Jordan Rapana remains one of the game’s most under-rated finishers and skilful Matt Timoko was as good as any centre in the NRL last season.
The Raiders will again be looking to make a deep run into the finals. A third straight, top eight finish for the first time since 2002–04 is a distinct possibility for the club.
again in 2024, as the new signings have been underwhelming. But with the vast majority of the squad that made the playoffs in 2023 back in action, the Sharks have one of the most settled sides in the competition.
Five-eighth Nico Hynes will have to shoulder most of the on-field responsibility. If he gets injured there could be a problem for the Sharks. Veteran Matt Moylan – who has gone to Leigh in England – was an experienced campaigner who could take some of the playmaking pressure off Hynes’ shoulders. Braydon Trindall is likely to partner Hynes in the halves. This season is looming as career-defining for the talented 24-year-old who has played 51 NRL games since his debut in 2020. His season started in the best possible way with a starring role in February for the Indigenous team in the win over the Ma - ori that saw him awarded the prestigious Preston Campbell Medal.
With Hynes, Trindall, winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, attacking fullback Will Kennedy and powerful forwards including Braden HamlinUele providing plenty of attacking might, the Sharks should not struggle to score points. Hooker Blayke Brailey is a key figure for the Sharks. He is a defensive powerhouse – he made more tackles than any other player in the regular season – but he needs to spark more attack. Only Manly and Parramatta had less dummy half runs than the Sharks last season.
LAST YEAR: 12 PLACE
HEAD COACH: JASON DEMETRIOU
CAPTAIN: CAMERON MURRAY
HOME GROUND: ACCOR STADIUM, SYDNEY
WEBSITE: www.rabbitohs.com.au
TICKETS:
https://www.nrl.com/tickets/search/?phrase=rabbitohs
CONTACT: Level 4, 265 Chalmers Street, Redfern, NSW 2016
POSTAL: Locked Bag 1, Redfern, NSW 2016
PHONE: +64 2 8306 9900
TAB ODDS: $8.50
The Rabbitohs led the competition after 10 rounds last year but faded badly to miss the finals altogether – just a season after making the Preliminary Final.
It is no coincidence that the decline happened after superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell suffered a calf injury in Origin camp that kept him out for 10 weeks. With him back to full fitness – and one of the best squads in the NRL – there is every reason for optimism ahead of the new campaign.
LAST YEAR: SEMI-FINALIST
HEAD COACH: TRENT ROBINSON
CAPTAIN: JAMES TEDESCO
HOME GROUND: ALLIANZ STADIUM, SYDNEY
WEBSITE: www.roosters.com.au
TICKETS: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=ROOSTERS24
CONTACT: Entertainment Quarter, Lang Rd, Moore Park, NSW 2021
POSTAL: PO Box 693, Paddington, NSW 2021
PHONE: +61 2 8063 3800
TAB ODDS: $8.50
The Roosters kicked-off last season as likely Premiership winners in the eyes of many pundits. But the optimism did not last the opening match as the Roosters suffered a shock defeat to the Dolphins on debut and never quite regained that pre-season expectation.
The Roosters won their last five matches to finish seventh in the regular season before the Storm ended their campaign in the playoffs.
LAST YEAR: 10TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: ANTHONY SEIBOLD
CAPTAIN: DALY CHERRY-EVANS
HOME GROUND:
4 PINES PARK (BROOKVALE OVAL), BROOKVALE, NSW
WEBSITE: www.seaeagles.com.au
TICKETS: https://www.seaeagles.com.au/game-day/tickets
CONTACT: Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen NSW 2101
POSTAL: PO Box 994, Narrabeen, NSW 2101
PHONE: +61 2 9970 3000
TAB ODDS: $23.00
Manly coach Anthony Seibold has gone on record to say the recruitment of five-eighth Luke Brooks from the Tigers and increased squad depth could be the missing pieces to help guide the Sea Eagles back into the finals in 2024 after Manly finished 10th last season.
Brooks will partner captain and star player Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves meaning a positional switch for versatile 22-year-old
The club has kept largely the same roster as last season with the addition of Canberra star centre Jack Wighton who is expected to make a massive difference.
Hopes are high amongst Rabbitohs fans that he could help drive the team well into the playoffs. His combination with the exciting Cody Walker and Mitchell could well spark some of the best attacking footie to come this season.
Tyrone Munro made his debut last season aged 18 and is tipped to compete with Isaiah Tass, Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson and Taane Milne to partner Alex Johnston on the wing.
Halfback Lachlan Ilias has a huge role to play. He showed glimpses last year of his skill set and ability to perform at this level but was inconsistent. He has been working on his kicking game to improve that area of his game.
The Rabbitohs have one of the most experienced and settled forward packs in the NRL and have strengthened further with the signing of Manly prop Sean Keppie.
The pack is dominated by rep players in second-rowers Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi, hooker Damien Cook, and captain and lock Cameron Murray – who are all incumbent Origin players– while prop Tevita Tatola is a potential Origin star of the future.
The 2024 squad looks even stronger than last year, particularly in the outside backs with the addition of outstanding Knights winger Dominic Young.
The Roosters already have their all-time leading try-scorer Daniel Tupou and young gun Junior Pauga. Young scored 25 tries to top the NRL last season which is a huge boost to the Roosters whose top scorer was James Tedesco with 11.
Young joins a talented group of outside backs including wing Joseph Suaalii – in his final season before changing codes to play rugby union – and the outstanding centre pairing of Joey Manu and Billy Smith. Powerful Samoan international prop Spencer Leniu (Panthers) is another excellent acquisition.
The highly regarded spine of hooker Brandon Smith, five-eighth Luke Keary, fullback Tedesco and halfback Sam Walker have the ability to propel the Roosters deep into finals’ contention.
It may be the last opportunity for the vastly experienced Tedesco, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Daniel Tupou and Luke Keary to win a Premiership together so they will be highly motivated to go all the way this year.
At the other end of the experience scale is 20-year-old second-rower Siua Wong, who burst onto the scene with three tries in 10 games in his rookie season last year.
Josh Schuster back to the second-row. Brooks and Cherry-Evans are the the oldest and most experienced halfback combination in the NRL – with more than 500 NRL games between them. A perceived lack of depth that has been holding Manly back has been addressed with three other excellent signings in centre/winger Tommy Talau (Tigers) and winger Jaxson Paulo (Roosters) to bolster the outside backs, plus lock Nathan Brown (Roosters) to improve the forward depth. Manly have one of the most versatile back row units in the NRL in second-rowers Haumole Olakau’atu and Josh Schuster, and lock Jake Trbojevic. The hard-running Olakau’atu is touted as being close to an Origin debut, tough defender Trbojevic has been a mainstay for the Blues in Origin while skilful ball-player Schuster is expected to get his opportunity at that level.
As always, much is expected of Tom Trbojevic. When he is fit, the brilliant running fullback nearly always delivers but his time off the field injured has put a major dent in Manly’s title aspirations. He is one of the biggest stars in the NRL, having won the prestigious 2021 Dally M Medal for the Best and Fairest player. Keep an eye out for promising young hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong. He played two games for Manly in his rookie season in 2023 but should get much more game time off the bench this season behind starter Lachlan Croker.
LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST
HEAD COACH: CRAIG BELLAMY
CAPTAIN: HARRY GRANT
HOME GROUND: AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE
WEBSITE: www.melbournestorm.com.au
TICKETS: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=STORM24
CONTACT: AAMI Park, 60 Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne, VIC 3001
POSTAL: PO Box 155, Richmond, VIC 3121
PHONE: +61 3 8412 4900
TAB ODDS: $8.50
Most clubs would be happy with a deep run into the playoffs and contesting the occasional Grand Final. But such is the remarkable record the Storm have set under coach Craig Bellamy – four titles, the last in 2020 – that anything less than winning silverware is regarded as a disappointment.
Last year, the Storm had a 16–8 record in the regular season before being on the end of two old fashioned hidings in the playoffs from the Broncos and Panthers. This year’s squad
LAST YEAR: 14TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: DES HASLER
CAPTAIN: TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI
HOME GROUND: CBUS SUPER STADIUM, QUEENSLAND
WEBSITE: www.titans.com.au
TICKETS: https://www.titans.com.au/ticketing/ticketing-23
CONTACT: 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood, QLD 4214
POSTAL: PO Box 841, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD 9726
PHONE: +61 7 5656 5650
TAB ODDS: $46.00
The Titans are hoping that two-time Premiership winning coach Des Hasler can change the club’s fortunes in 2024.
The Titans have finished 14th and 13th in the last two seasons with a poor defensive record mainly responsible for the underperforming campaigns.
Last year, the team conceded on average 27 points per game and the inability to hold on to significant leads in matches was another major issue.
LAST YEAR: 17TH PLACE
HEAD COACH: BENJI MARSHALL
CAPTAIN: APISAI KOROISAU
HOME GROUNDS: CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM, SYDNEY; LEICHHARDT OVAL, SYDNEY
WEBSITE: www.weststigers.com.au
TICKETS: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=TIGERS24
CONTACT: Concord Oval, Loftus Street, Concord, NSW 2137
POSTAL: PO Box 169, North Strathfield, NSW 2137
PHONE: +61 2 8741 3300
TAB ODDS: $101.00
Benji Marshall will always be remembered for his brilliant running skills and a famous offload to set up his beloved West Tigers to an unforgettable Grand Final victory in 2005.
The boy from Whakatane never shirked a challenge on the field but he has a massive one on his hands now in taking on the head coach’s role at the Tigers. Marshall has no previous head coaching role to fall back on. He takes the reigns at a
is weakened with six players leaving and just second-rower Shawn Blore (Tigers) recruited.
The Storm have four of their first five games at home but they finish with just two home games in the last seven rounds. They also play five fellow finalists twice – the Panthers, Broncos, Warriors, Knights and Roosters – which is not the easiest grouping to take on.
The opening round should be a dazzler, with reigning premiers the Panthers arriving in Melbourne to try to end the Storm’s amazing undefeated record in Round 1 – they have never lost the opening match since Bellamy took the reins in 2003.
After a year on the sidelines, Storm fans will be hoping that powerhouse fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is able to stay injury-free and regain the scintillating form that made him one of the best in the NRL. His return means the reliable Nick Meaney will switch to the centres.
If Papenhuyzen can form a consistent spine with five-eighth Cameron Munster, halfback Jahrome Hughes and new captain and hooker Harry Grant, then the Storm should be in for a big year.
Former All Blacks Sevens player Will Warbrick had a brilliant season in 2023 – scoring 17 tries in 25 games – so is set to be a key attacking weapon on the wing for the Storm.
Since their inception in 2007, the Titans have never made a Preliminary Final so the no-nonsense coach has plenty of work to do. The Titans will field one of the most dynamic packs in the competition. Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and backrower David Fifita are two of the most destructive forwards in the NRL and second-rower Beau Fermor, props Keenan Palasia and Jaimin Jolliffe, and hooker Sam Verrills are all highly respected. Fullback Jayden Campbell – son of NRL legend Preston Campbell – is a superstar in the making and will vie for game time with another impressive youngster in Kiwi Keano Kini. Last season, Campbell set a club record of 315 run metres against the Dragons which showed what attacking weapons his footwork and top end speed can be. Queensland rep AJ Brimson – set to play his 100th game in Round 1 – has been shifted into the centres to accommodate Campbell. Veteran Kiwi Kieran Foran was brought to the club last season to provide a cool head in the big games but once again his season was blighted by injuries. There will be intense pressure on young halfbacks Tanah Boyd and Tom Weaver to provide Foran with the quality service he needs.
A player to watch is outstanding winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira who last year became the first player in the club’s history to score 20 tries in a season.
club that has won successive wooden spoons and last graced the playoffs in 2011 when the Warriors knocked them out.
Star second-rower and England international John Bateman will again be the leader of the pack for the Tigers but the departure of halfback Luke Brooks (Manly) and wing David Nofoaluma (Salford) will hurt. Tallyn da Silva made an impressive start to his career last year at the tender age of 18 and will compete for the hooking role with captain Apisai Koroisau. Unproven teenage brothers Latu and Samela Fainu join from Manly in a surprising move but if anyone can get the best out of talented young players then it could be Marshall.
Utility back Jayden Sullivan is another new recruit with the former Dragons star highly regarded.
Papua New Guinea international Justin Olam joins from the Storm where he won a Premiership in 2020. If he can get back to the form that saw him awarded the Dally M Centre of the Year in 2021 then he will be a major asset to the young Tigers backline.
Talented halfback/five-eighth Aidan Sezer returns from Leeds while former Chiefs and Highlanders outside back Solomon Alaimalo is another new addition to the squad in 2024.
18 WINS – $6.3 MILLION IN PRIZE MONEY
NO.1 GROUP 1 WINNER WORLDWIDE IN 2023 (5 AUS – 4 NZ)
Believe it or not shares in the world’s best sprinting mare – Te Akau’s Imperatriz –were available on our website and were the last to sell in her year!
This magnificent mare is blitzing the cream of Australian sprinters. Last weekend she won the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in Melbourne – the second highest rated sprint race in the world. It’s been won by the greats such as Black Caviar herself (three times), Nature Strip, Apache Cat, Fastnet Rock, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti... she now joins them on the honour roll.
It’s easy, fun and affordable to join Team Te Akau! We have a dazzling array of shares available in new horses from Karaka and Magic Millions’ sales. Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM and team have been hunting down our 8th Karaka 2YO Millions’ winner or next Imperatriz.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU –
Te Akau is a 14-time Champion Stable – last season we established a new NZ record for wins (202) and prize money won. We are again No.1 this season with more wins and Group/Listed wins than any other stable. Our stables have won over $12 million for our owners across the last year too!
With our brand new stable flying in Australia, and major prize money increases in New Zealand, it’s a terrific time to join the ‘tangerine team’! Enjoy the thrill of racing, with world class communication.
Head to our website and choose your share now!
Call Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM* on +64 7 825 4701 or email karyn@teakauracing.com
TE AKAU – WHERE OWNERS COME FIRST www.teakauracing.com
