OpinionOpinion byBen FrancisJournalist·NZ Herald·2 Sep, 2026 12:00 AM4 mins to readBen Francis is an Auckland-based live news sport journalist for the New Zealand Herald. Ben has worked across various sports media roles across digital, radio and print since 2016.Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. Photo / PhotosportWarriors coach Andrew Webster could have taken the easy option when deciding which 23 players he would name in his extended squad, and nobody would have begrudged him.
With the Warriors already guaranteed a top-two finish and a home qualifying final against either the Dolphins or Sydney Roosters, there was
