Leka Halasima and Ali Leiataua celebrate a try against the Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Warriors v Cowboys
7.30pm Saturday, 3 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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Amid an encouraging start to their 2025 NRL campaign, the NZ Warriors have ridden a big silver lining to a cloud that has seen them lose more than 1500 first-grade games in experience since the end of last season.
With the retirements of captain Tohu Harris (234) and club legend Shaun Johnson (268), and the departures of front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake (190) to Cronulla Sharks, utility Jazz Tevaga (138) to Manly Sea Eagles and Dylan Walker (235) to Parramatta Eels, the Auckland club has also had to deal with injuries to co-captain James Fisher-Harris (208), and flying wingers Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (216) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (212).
That's a scary amount of seasoned leadership to cover across the rest of the squad, but the continued emergence of the next wave of Warriors talent has cushioned that blow, as they enjoy a 5-2 record so far and fourth place on the competition table.
Those absences - some more permanent than others - have provided opportunities for the likes of centre Ali Leiataua, and second-rowers Leka Halasima, Dimitric Vaimauga and Jacob Laban to take their games to new levels out of necessity.
"All these young boys, we're all best mates and we all think we're definitely the next crop," Leiataua confirmed. "Those boys - Dimitric, Leka, Jacob - they're all playing unreal footy, so we're excited to keep playing and hopefully be here a long time, if the club will have us.
"It's been fun. We've all just been having fun - always laughing and making jokes and enjoying our footy."
Fisher-Harris' pec injury has opened a spot in the starting pack, which initially seemed destined for workaholic Jackson Ford, until he returned to an interchange role against Newcastle Knights last weekend, with Halasima promoted instead.
Ali Leiataua at Warriors training. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The unexpected exit of Harris in the pre-season and then Walker three games in has also left minutes for Vaimauga and Laban to make their impact, once the latter returned from injury, while the reshuffled backline has helped Leiataua consolidate his grasp on a midfield spot, with veteran Adam Pompey moved to the wing.
They've all enjoyed their on-the-job learning, bolstered by some positive results and encouragement from those around them, reinforcing the belief they are the future of the club.
"They know we 100 percent do," coach Andrew Webster said. "We tell them all the time, just don't take things for granted.
"Their ambition's really high. They want to be here a long time, but they know they have to work hard and they've got a long way to go, but they know how much faith we have in them.
"The most important thing is how reliable they've been in their jobs. Their focus each week is on the little things and if they focus on that, they get to show their talent."
Their prospects must be tempered by the business of rugby league. Just as the young bucks start to feel a little secure in their futures, the Warriors have signed promising English forward Morgan Gannon, who debuted in Super League as a teenager and has now amassed 60 games for Leeds Rhinos by the age of 21.
His arrival next season will inevitably see another reshuffle in the pecking order, although no one knows yet who else will leave before then.
Leiataua's next moment of truth will come in two-three weeks, when Tuivasa-Sheck and Watene-Zelezniak are due back from injury, and Pompey rejoins the logjam at centre.
"Maybe I'm just waiting for the boys to come back from injury," he wondered. "Now I definitely feel like a first-grader.
"Last year, I only strung together a few games, but definitely a lot more confident now."
Ali Leiataua scores a try against Sydney Roosters. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Related to Warriors royalty, Leiataua draws a great deal of inspiration from uncle Ali Lauiti'iti, after whom he is named.
"Whenever I see him, he's in my ear, telling me what I can do better and what I've done well," Leiataua said. "He always gives good advice and obviously had a career himself, so anything he says is good.
"I take it on board and try to implement it. He wants me to get more involved - he wants me to keep building confidence and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
"He just wants me to be myself and play the way I play."
Leiataua is also conscious this week's 'Magic Round' holds bittersweet memories from last season. As a depleted Warriors line-up shocked reigning champions Penrith Panthers, the young centre scored his first NRL try, but also suffered an ankle injury that would keep him out of the team for two months and ultimately limit him to six games for the season.
"I'm excited," he insisted. "Magic Round is a good occasion and I got to experience it last year against Penrith.
"Hopefully, I don't get injured again. It's a pretty special weekend - definitely magic in the air."
