THE New Zealand Warriors have never won an NRL premiership, but Denan Kemp believes the club is building towards becoming the competition’s next juggernaut.<\/p>\n
Under coach Andrew Webster, the Wahs have gone from finishing 15th to becoming a perennial finals contender with stars across their backs, halves and forward pack.<\/p>\n
In 2026, the Warriors are firmly in the premiership conversation, having won seven of their nine games.<\/p>\n
Speaking before their 36-14 win against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday, the former Warriors winger said he was confident the country’s lone NRL side could become a powerhouse by the turn of the decade.<\/p>\n
“I reckon in five years, maybe less, they might be the next juggernaut in the NRL,” Kemp said on SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.<\/p>\n
“I think they are building so nicely, and they’re kind of flying under the radar to a degree.<\/p>\n
“When you actually look at the depth they have in key positions across the board, it’s almost second to none.<\/p>\n
“In their spine, do they necessarily have your top-tier Nathan Cleary types? No, not necessarily.<\/p>\n
“However, that doesn’t mean in five years they can’t have developed the next big thing.<\/p>\n
“When you look at their forwards, which is something so many clubs would kill for, because that’s what you can build your whole game plan on.<\/p>\n
“They have forwards for days. Genuinely, you could have Fish (James Fisher-Harris) and Mitch Barnett injured and they’re still rolling teams.<\/p>\n
“That’s how good they are.”<\/p>\n
Former NRL halfback Chad Townsend said even more forward talent was coming through the Warriors’ junior ranks.<\/p>\n
“Let me tell you, the New Zealand Warriors absolutely have forward stocks coming through their system,” Townsend said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t wanna put too much pressure or speak about too many names that we haven’t seen yet.<\/p>\n
“But I can tell you there are some amazingly exciting players that have come through their junior system, through their pathways, and it’s a credit to Andrew McFadden and what he’s been able to do to set the New Zealand Warriors up.”<\/p>\n