Squad breakdown: Warriors, Raiders 2024 Supercoach analysis

Next up in our previews is the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra raiders.



As we edge closer to the opening round of the season, I still have a few more club previews to get through, along with a few other articles, so I’ll be combining the remaining ones into dual previews.



Starting with the Warriors, they were arguably the best looking team in the pre-season in that dominant victory over the Dolphins.



They looked in sync and picked up where they left off last season, with the attack as fluent as ever.



They have a reasonable draw to begin the season, including three of their first five games at home.



For the Raiders, it’s all about the cheapies and team list Tuesday.



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While expectations are low from most pundits, that doesn’t mean there’s no value to be found in their squad.



They play three of their first five games away, with mixed opposition that shouldn’t steer anyone clear of any players they may be keen on.



Job security will be the concern, with Seb Kris and Corey Horsburgh to return in the first three rounds and battles for several positions it makes it hard to gauge how locked in any cheapies will actually be long-term.



As your reading below, we may well have had team lists which will clear up the Supercoach prospects of several players.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Zealand Warriors predicted team</h2>



1. Taine Tuaupiki 2.&nbsp;Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4.&nbsp;Rocco Berry 5.&nbsp;Marcelo Montoya 6.&nbsp;Luke Metcalf 7.&nbsp;Shaun Johnson 8.&nbsp;Addin Fonua-Blake 9.&nbsp;Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11.&nbsp;Kurt Capewell 12. Jackson Ford 13.&nbsp;Tohu Harris



14. Dylan Walker 15.&nbsp;Marata Niukore 16.&nbsp;Bunty Afoa 17.&nbsp;Jazz Tevaga



Unavailable:&nbsp;Demitric Sifakula (knee, mid-season), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring, round 3/4)



Analysis



Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to the Warriors as a centre.



Rocco Berry is expected to edge out impressive rookie Ali Leiataua at right centre.



With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad injured, Taine Tuaupiki is tipped to start at fullback, although RTS remains a chance after spending time there during the trials.



Luke Metcalf looks likely to get first crack at the five-eighth role ahead of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita.



Kurt Capewell’s arrival is likely to push Marata Niukore to the bench.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Draw</h2>



Sharks (H), Storm (A), Raiders (H), Knights (H), Rabbitohs (A)



First five round rating: 5/10



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guns</h2>



Shaun Johnson (HFB, $793,700)



Can SJ do it again in 2024?



I don’t think there’s an NRL fan out there who isn’t hoping he can replicate his form last season that produced a 78 point Supercoach average.



If you are looking to avoid a Cleary-Hynes combo, SJ might just be the best bet.



With the Warriors sizzling in their second trial, it bodes well for their chief playmaker.



Johnson had six tonnes last season, all of which were 112+, with a top score of 149.



He did have five scores of sub 43 which is the concern when paying up such top dollar to start the season.



He started 2023 with scores of 74, 60 and 41 before really clicking into gear.



I’m happy with the Hynes-Cleary combo, but if they start slow and SJ fires from round 1 it could be a masterstroke.



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Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (CTW, $719,500)



DWZ was the beneficiary of arguably the best attacking edge in the NRL last season.



With their right edge sizzling, Dallin went to new levels to record an enormous tally of tries.



His base of 25 is only okay, but like most wingers he does require tries to score well.



Not for me at the high starting price, but I’m excited to own him at some stage in the season.



Addin Fonua-Blake (FRF, $740,400)



Fonua-Blake was sensational last year with a career-high Supercoach average of 73 points per game.



I personally don’t like the idea of paying up so much for a front-rower to start the season, so I have no interest.



Further, he scored an incredible eight tries for a prop along with three try-assists.



An incredible season yes, but the high price tag is the deterrent as a result.



Tohu Harris (2RF, $680,000)



For similar reasons mentioned above with AFB, I’m not keen on Tohu Harris.



The main reason though is that he’s lost his dual FRF-2RF positioning this season and is only available as a 2RF which is a shame for Supercoaches.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mid-rangers</h2>



Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (FLB-CTW, $539,600)



Boy oh boy did Roger look the goods in the trials.



He busted eight tackles in each game he played and put simply, he well and truly passed the eye test.



The concern is that he’s on the less prolific left edge, playing centre, and he didn’t exactly roam as we’d hoped he may have.



On paper all those signs say don’t buy, but to anyone who actually watched those trials he looked irresistible.



He’s priced at an affordable rate of $539k, and even if major attacking stats don’t come on that left edge it looks like his work-rate and tacklebusting ability will see him score well regardless.



If he does add numerous attacking stats he could be a season-long keeper.



If he were to play fullback with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad injured I’d put him in immediately.



Regardless, I think RTS looks a strong buy and it’s hard to see him letting any owners down.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cheapies</h2>



Taine Tuaupiki (FLB-CTW, $277,700)



I actually don’t mind Tuaupiki as a buy if, and only if, we are scraping the barrel for cheapies once teams drop on Tuesday.



Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is out for the first three or four rounds, so Tuaupiki is expected to start at fullback provided they do leave RTS at centre.



With three decent games early, he could average 50 and make some good cash.



The problem is once CNK returns he’s back to reserve grade, so I don’t love it, but there’s potential to be the best of a bad bunch.



Chanel Harris-Tavita (HFB, $238,900)



Will only become relevant if named to start at five-eighth, which looks unlikely.



Ali Leiataua (FLB-CTW, $238,900)



Unlikely to get named in round 1, but looks an absolute beast and is very likely to feature as a cheapie in teams at some stage this season.



Jacob Laban (2RF, $204,300)



Another that’s unlikely to feature early, but if a few injuries crop up and Laban finds himself starting he may not give up the spot easily.



Like Leiataua, he appears to be one of the brightest prospects in the game with a very friendly Supercoach scoring style.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canberra Raiders predicted team</h2>



1. Jordan Rapana 2.&nbsp;Xavier Savage 3. Matt Timoko 4.&nbsp;James Schiller 5.&nbsp;Albert Hopoate 6.&nbsp;Ethan Strange 7.&nbsp;Jamal Fogarty 8.&nbsp;Ata Mariota 9.&nbsp;Danny Levi 10.&nbsp;Joseph Tapine 11.&nbsp;Elliott Whitehead 12.&nbsp;Hudson Young 13.&nbsp;Morgan Smithies



14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Josh Papali’i 17.&nbsp;Zac Hosking



Unavailable:&nbsp;Corey Horsburgh (suspension, round 3), Seb Kris (suspension, round 2), Corey Harawira-Naera (health)



Analysis:



Jordan Rapana appears to have won the race over boom rookie Chevy Stewart for the starting fullback role.



This should open a spot on the wing for Xavier Savage, with Nic Cotric also a chance.



With Seb Kris suspended for round 1, James Schiller is likely to start at centre.



Ethan Strange may have jumped Kaeo Weekes for the starting five-eighth spot alongside Jamal Fogarty in the halves.



Danny Levi will likely edge out Zac Woolford at hooker, with Tom Starling playing off the bench.



With Corey Horsburgh suspended early in the season, English recruit Morgan Smithies is expected to start at lock.



Smithies will have a few games to prove he’s worth keeping in the starting team when Horsburgh returns.



If Smithies does so, it’d see Horsburgh play up front, likely pushing Mariota to the bench.



Penrith recruit Zac Hosking is likely to nab a bench spot, with Josh Papali’i also a chance to play off the bench this season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Draw</h2>



Knights (A), Tigers (H), Warriors (A), Sharks (A), Eels (H)



First five round rating: 5/10



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guns</h2>



Joe Tapine (FRF, $656,500)



Again, I don’t love the idea of paying up for a prop, but geez Taps looked good in the All Stars game.



He scored the opening try of the game and looked destructive.



Ricky Stuart tends to build the minutes up of his frontline props as the season plays out, with 2023 being an example of this for Tapine.



In his first six games he averaged 49.6 minutes per game, but averaged 54 minutes per game across the entire season.



I’m happy to go cheaper at front-row, but Tapine could explode for owners and he certainly won’t let you down.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mid-rangers</h2>



Morgan Smithies (2RF, $345,000)



A borderline cheapie, looks set for good minutes in the middle at the Raiders and will be the typical English workhorse.



Smithies looks a rock solid buy and play in 17s at least until Corey Horsburgh returns.



Hopefully in that time he can win a starting role and make us bank.



Xavier Savage (FLB-CTW, $350,200)



Also a borderline cheapie, Savage has by all reports blitzed the Raiders pre-season.



He’s an incredible talent with Supercoach potential, even on the wing, but I feel work rate will be an issue along with attacking opportunities on the flanks at the Raiders.



He’s awkwardly priced at $350k, so I’m happy to avoid and buy come round three if he starts with a bag of tries.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cheapies</h2>



Ata Mariota (FRF, $255,900)



I’m actually a little surprised Mariota hasn’t been spoken about a bit more.



He’s highly regarded at the club, was strong last season and looked the goods in trials.



I think for a few rounds he’ll score well and get enough time to be relevant, the issue is of course the return of Corey Horsburgh in round 3 which will eat into his time.



Ethan Strange (5/8-CTW, $238,900)



Firming to win the five-eighth role over Kaeo Weekes, looking like a great buy.



Also should rack up decent base, can bust a tackle, looks solid.



Kaeo Weekes (FLB-5/8, $273,400)



If named in round 1 he’s a decent pick, but I think Strange may have jumped him in the pecking order.



Even if starting, I’m not overly keen on his output or job security.



Chevy Stewart (FLB-CTW, $204,300)



Not expected to get picked early in the season.



Nick Cotric (CTW, $274,000)



Not expected to play round 1, or at least once Seb Kris returns round 2.



James Schiller (CTW, $238,900)



Poor job security even if named at centre for round 1.



Once Seb Kris returns in round 2 he’d lose the spot.

Squad breakdown: Warriors, Raiders 2024 Supercoach analysis

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