Are the Warriors the NRL’s next juggernaut?

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.

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.

In 2026, the Warriors are firmly in the premiership conversation, having won seven of their nine games.

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.

“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.

“I think they are building so nicely, and they’re kind of flying under the radar to a degree.

“When you actually look at the depth they have in key positions across the board, it’s almost second to none.

“In their spine, do they necessarily have your top-tier Nathan Cleary types? No, not necessarily.

“However, that doesn’t mean in five years they can’t have developed the next big thing.

“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.

“They have forwards for days. Genuinely, you could have Fish (James Fisher-Harris) and Mitch Barnett injured and they’re still rolling teams.

“That’s how good they are.”

Former NRL halfback Chad Townsend said even more forward talent was coming through the Warriors’ junior ranks.

“Let me tell you, the New Zealand Warriors absolutely have forward stocks coming through their system,” Townsend said.

“I don’t wanna put too much pressure or speak about too many names that we haven’t seen yet.

“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.”

NICHOLAS QUINLAN/SEN