Adam Blair

Hokianga, Whangarei Boys High School, Northland Carvers, Kiwis rep.

New recruit to the Warriors, likely to start in the middle where he'll add a rugged presence and leadership to Mt Smart.

Like & Subscribe Song: Disaster - Creaky Jackals Forgot the outro ... whoops

Agnatius Paasi

Auckland. Mangere East Hawks, Tonga rep.

Having left Auckland to join Keebra Park High School, Paasi then returned to move through the lower grades with the Warriors to make his NRL debut in 2014. Since then, Paasi has developed swiftly with Gold Coast Titans and comes back to the Warriors as a skillful, versatile forward.

Highlights of rugby league player Agnatius Paasi, who has played for the Junior Warriors and the Auckland Vulcans.

Albert Vete

Auckland, St Kentigern College, Tonga rep.

Coming off a tough 2017, I'm not convinced that Vete will consistently feature in the top-17 but if he does, Vete will show signs of starting to fulfill his potential as a middle forward.

Albert Vete Tongan University of Auckland Students Association Rep for 2015.

Bunty Afoa

Auckland, Pt Chevavlier Pirates, Samoa rep.

Tell your homies that Afoa is the most intriguing Warriors forward ahead of the 2018 season; he has been groomed to start in the vacant right edge spot and the intrigue sits with whether he'll start there or take up a bench spot which would suit his middle/edge versatility.

Isaiah Papalii

Auckland, Te Atatu Roosters.

Right now, we have no idea what Papalii is, other than knowing that there's plenty of hype around him. Papalii made the Junior Kiwis while still playing 1st XV rugby for Mt Albert Grammar School and the hype is real, he has yet to come close to settling into any consistent NRL role. We'll find out what Papalii is this year though, don't worry.

Isaiah's journey from where he started, to where he is today.

Issac Luke

Hawera/Taranaki, Hawera Hawks, Kiwis rep.

I enjoy Luke's all-round skills as a hooker and with a new vibe at Mt Smart (and quicker play-the-balls), I predict that we will see Luke flourish in the starting hooker role.

NZ Kiwi Issac Luke starts a fight with the biggest bloke on the field

Another Four Nations fight between Australia and New Zealand. Issac Luke gets up throwing punches at Paul Gallen. Also keep your eye on Adam Blair, he runs about 40 metre to tackle Thaiday!

James Bell

Auckland, Papakura Sea Eagles, Scotland rep.

Hard to see Bell getting many minutes this season - which is a note on the number of injuries and lack of depth the Warriors had, conveniently during their losing streak which everyone overlooks. Bell will feature if someone like Adam Blair is unavailable, opening the door for a more mobile, enthusiastic player like Bell to balance out the bigger bodies.

James Gavet

Auckland, Richmond Rovers, Samoa rep.

And people also forget that the Warriors losing streak came when my 2017 MVP was out injured, leaving me rather excited to see Gavet in action this season. Don't sleep on Gavet, he'll start and be a beast.

Jazz Tevaga

Christchurch, Burnham Chevaliers, Papakura Sea Eagles, Samoa rep.

Same as James Bell and it's good that the Warriors have two smaller forward, to add a more mobile twist to their size in the middle. Tevaga can also cover hooker, although he is the fourth, maybe fifth, best hooking option on my depth chart.

As the hype builds for the opening clash of the Rugby League World Cup between Toa Samoa and the Kiwis, one player in particular, Jazz Tevaga is starting at hooker for Toa Samoa and despite having no Māori blood at all - he is through and through a hearty Ngāti.

Joseph Vuna

Auckland, Otahuhu Leopards.

Edge forward prospect, in the bucket to cover right edge. Vuna's unlikely to play in 2018 and should consistently play in reserve grade to develop, he's in that right edge bucket though.

King Vuniyawa

Auckland, Manurewa Marlins.

Also in the right edge forward bucket is Vuniyawa, although Vuniyawa is further up the pecking order compared to Vuna. There could be a chance that Vuniyawa is in the same tier as Matiu Love-Henry in putting some serious pressure on Afoa and Vuniyawa is one to watch.

Leivaha Pulu

Auckland, Marist Saints, Tonga rep.

Left Auckland to head to Keebra Park (Pulu and Paasi are a similar age and have a very similar journey), before embarking on an almighty rugby league path; Wests Tigers U20s, Windsor Wolves, Lezignan Sangliers (France), Wyong Roos, Gold Coast Titans. Like Paasi, Pulu flourished as a Titan, establishing himself as an NRL forward and while he can play edge (and centre!), I expect Pulu to come off the bench as a middle forward.

We talk with Leivaha Pulu - NRL player and Inventus Brother about rejection, the pressures on Polynesian players, alcohol and professionalism

Ligi Sao

Auckland, Manurewa Marlins.

Sao could snatch the last bench spot, he'll likely be a depth middle option. That's important as Sao will help the Warriors ride the long NRL season when injuries/suspension strike, without much drop off from the top-17 group.

Manaia Cherrington

Whangarei, Wentworthville Magpies.

Behind Issac Luke and Nathaniel Roache, Cherrington will probably have to sit in reserve grade and keep those two honest, stepping up when required. Again, another very solid depth option to have.

Wests Tigers TV caught up with young gun Manaia Cherrington as he returned to pre-season training, having spent time away with the New Zealand Kiwis' recent tour of England.

Matiu Love-Henry

Taupo, Taupo Phoenix.

Fighting for that right edge spot, Love-Henry is still young and has time on his side to develop as a specialist edge forward prospect.

Nathaniel Roache

Auckland, Richmond Rovers.

Coming off the bench to add all sorts of spark and x-factor, Roache's skills compliment Luke's and we can look forward to an increase in tempo when Roache is injected.

Highlights of current New Zealand Warrior Nathaniel Roache from his short time playing in the NRL from the 2016-17 NRL season.

Patrick Sipley

Auckland, Richmond Rovers.

Depth middle forward, yet to crack an NRL debut but will be there ready to go when called upon.

Sam Lisone

Auckland, Otahuhu Leopards, Samoa rep.

Don't assume that Lisone will be in the top-17 with new recruits coming in, I suspect Lisone will take a bench spot alongside Paasi and Pulu. What I'll be watching for this season is Lisone's development as a player because he's showing that he can be a cannon-ball and do some ball-playing, without excelling at either.

Simon Mannering

Motueka/Nelson, Nelson College, Kiwis rep.

There's definitely a chance that Mannering could slide to the right edge, however I believe that Mannering and Blair will play together through the middle. Coach Stephen Kearney enjoyed a similar combo at Brisbane Broncos with Blair and Josh McGuire and this will help the Warriors control the middle of the park.

Hear as Simon Mannering gives advice to his younger self

Tevita Satae

Auckland, Glenora Bears/Point Chevalier Pirates.

One to watch here, like super low key one to watch. Satae has moved from Auckland club footy, to Aakarana Falcons/NZ Residents, to Warriors reserves, to NRL contract in the space of 12 months and I believe Kearney has been building Satae up for more NRL opportunities. Whether that development continues in 2018 or Satae explodes, I don't know; expect to see more of Satae this year though.