Webster: There's a really different connection in the group

Back in 2023 in his first year at the helm, Andrew Webster guided the One New Zealand Warriors to a seven-game winning streak that carried them into the finals on a tidal wave of momentum.

The catch cry ‘Up The Wahs’ followed Webster and his men from Sydney to Auckland to the Gold Coast as they went unbeaten from round 19 to 26 to finish the regular season in fourth spot.

After falling back to earth in 2024 with a 13th place finish, the Warriors are on the charge again this season, riding a five-game winning streak heading into a round 12 clash with the Raiders.

The Sunday afternoon showdown at Go Media Stadium offers a shot at redemption for a defeat in the season-opener in Las Vegas, one of only two defeats for Webster’s men in the opening 11 rounds.

Since a humbling round six loss to the Storm in Melbourne, the Warriors have taken care of business against the Broncos, Knights, Cowboys, Dragons and Dolphins to climb from sixth to second on the ladder.

As he savours a second substantial winning streak in his third season at the helm, Webster admits the 2025 run is more enjoyable because “the players are leading it so well”.

“There’s a real different connection about the group this time,” he told media on Wednesday.

“I’m so happy with the way they are chasing training, we are enjoying every day at work.

“We are really grounded though, just chasing the next one.”

If the Warriors are to make it six straight they will have to do it without forward leaders James Fisher-Harris (suspension) and Mitch Barnett (NSW Origin) but they do welcome back Jackson Ford (concussion) and Bunty Afoa (knee).

Blockbusting centre Ali Leiataua has been named in the extended squad as he nears a return after three games out with an ankle injury.

“Every team goes through personnel issues through a season,” Webster said.

“You’ll have periods where you lose a lot of players, this week we have ‘Fish’ out and we have ‘Barney’ out, but it’s just a new challenge and something exciting.

“It’s the same as the travel [to Brisbane and Christchurch], that was two of our [home] games we took away.

“We looked at it as an opportunity to enjoy our travel and get along.

“If you’re not connected and enjoying each other’s company then you won’t enjoy the travel and therefore you’re not going to turn up and play footy for each other and you’re going to lose.

"We're hungry for improvement so we'll just find that in every part of our game."