While the NRL takes a cheeky break, a trio of Aotearoa Warriors have made low key exits from Mt Smart with Wynnum Manly Seagulls announcing that they had signed Patrick Sipley, Junior Pauga and Matiu Love-Henry. Giving three players who haven't played NRL the ol' ka kite, may not sound like much, however this could point to the Warriors making a bunch of signings, or promotions within their squad ahead of next season.

Love-Henry was a Junior Warrior, but he returns to Brisbane where he spent time as part of the Broncos roster. Having played for Norths Devils in that period, Love-Henry knows the Queensland Intrust Super Cup well and the Seagulls still share a relationship with the Broncos as one of their feeder clubs, so Love-Henry could still be a chance of returning to the Broncos wider group, maybe.

What is super intriguing here is that the Warriors have released Love-Henry, after Joseph Vuna announced that he would be going off on his Mormon mission. With Vuna gone, Love-Henry could have wiggled his way into edge forward cover for the NRL team, yet the Warriors obviously aren't too fussed about that. Tohu Harris and Isaiah Papali'i are the edge forward starters, plus we saw that Adam Blair can cover the edge as well, while Leivaha Pulu is the likeliest lad to be next in line at edge forward.

As far as youngsters go, King Vuniyayawa could be someone to keep an eye on as he's been given steady opportunities in reserve grade. Preston Riki played both Jersey Flegg and reserve grade this season, making him an exciting edge forward prospect and Havi Tupouniua consistently started on the edge for Jersey Flegg. That simply means that there are options coming through, to fill Love-Henry's reserve grade spot.

Sipley has been a regular presence in the reserve grade forward pack, offering energy and aggression through the middle. His absence is going to de-clutter the middle forward stocks, allowing for Tevita Satae and Ligi Sao to try and crack NRL consistently, with Sam Lisone chasing them. The Warriors aren't exactly short on middle forward depth right now with Blair, Agnatius Paasi, James Gavet, Bunty Afoa, Jazz Tevaga, and Leeson Ah Mau forming the main NRL group.

As Sipley never really worked into the Warriors NRL mix, his departure won't have much of an impact and is going to allow for the Jersey Flegg big boppers to graduate to reserve grade. Riki played through the middle in Flegg and could be an option there (he played edge forward mainly in reserve grade), while someone like Soane Hufanga who captained the Flegg team regularly could be in for a promotion. Hufanga, Riki, Lotu Inisi and Wesley Veikoso could be kids to watch out for over the summer as they try to make a strong impression leading into the season.

The Warriors aren't short on outside backs either, meaning that there will be little impact in Pauga's departure. Pauga is a lively centre/wing who suffered a major knee injury last year, but came back to play strongly for reserve grade. In losing Pauga and Anthony Gelling, it may look as though the Warriors have lost depth in their outside back group, however with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Blake Ayshford still in the wider mix, they have NRL-ready depth in these positions.

Lewis Soosemea is the exciting prospect and if there is an injury to Ken Maumalo or David Fusitu'a, don't be surprised to see Soosemea given a crack next season. The youngster from Flegg to keep tabs on is Patrick Elia, from Christchurch who is primarily a centre and could be the big winner from Gelling and Pauga leaving a spot up for grabs in reserve grade.

This is a very weird time of year where the movements of reserve graders doesn't make many, if any waves. I say that to point out how some of the players I have mentioned above, may themselves be leaving the Warriors this summer and we won't know until it's official or even until we start to see team lists etc. The Warriors could also look to sign players, instead of promoting those youngsters and this just means that we need to be super fluid in how we view the Warriors roster over the next few months.

What we know for sure is that while the winds of change blew a gust through Mt Smart last summer, there is still a high turnover of players. During 2018, the following players have departed Mt Smart; Junior Pauga, Matiu Love-Henry, Patrick Sipley, Manaia Cherrington, Anthony Gelling, Zac Santo, Joe Vuna, Simon Mannering, Albert Vete and Mason Lino. There could be more and any more departures will result in new signings, or exciting prospects getting promoted.

Hit an ad to support the Diary Of An Aotearoa Warriors Fan.

Or jump on Patreon and support the Niche Cache directly, we drop bonus stuff for the Patrons and take care of the homies.

Peace and love 27.