Warriors - 2017

Assembling the Kiwis spine didn't quite have the desired effect for the 2017 Warriors, who endured teething problems under incoming coach Stephen Kearney.

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The Warriors announced the signing of troubled superstar Kieran Foran in September 2016, but it took until February for the NRL to officially register the contract due to concerns over his readiness to return to football.

The career of the former Manly playmaker, who starred in the Sea Eagles’ 2011 grand final victory against the Warriors, unravelled after joining Parramatta in 2016. Installed as Eels skipper, the extent of Foran’s array of personal off-field issues became public fodder. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and was released by his new club in July.

Despite apprehension over Foran’s fitness and state of mind, the acquisition of the tough 21-Test pivot was roundly regarded as a coup for the Warriors. Uniting with Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gave the club the Kiwis’ entire first-choice spine (though the quartet had only played one Test together in their preferred positions) under former national team mentor Stephen Kearney.