NRL: Warriors leading NZ power shift

Warriors are one step away from league's big prize, and Sydney has discovered it wants them to win. Photo / Getty Images

The sleeping giant of the rugby league world has finally awoken - and a Warriors premiership at ANZ Stadium on Sunday could represent the final stage of a dramatic power shift across the Tasman.

For years the little brother to Australia's all-conquering Test and NRL sides, the Kiwis are now leaving their mark on the world stage.

So much so that by late Sunday, just about every major trophy they could possibly get their hands on could be calling New Zealand home.

The national side is World Cup champions, and added the Four Nations title last year.

The Warriors' NSW Cup side Auckland Vulcans will battle Canterbury in Sunday's grand final, while the club's under 20s side will defend their crown in the Toyota Cup decider which follows it.

Then there's the NRL outfit - a team blessed with power, skill and the potential to dominate for years - with ten members of the grand final squad aged 24 or younger.

"It's huge for rugby league and it's huge for the Warriors,'' Warriors director and former All Blacks coach John Hart told AAP.

"Six years ago we said we wanted to become a development club, we set a whole program in place, and I guess this here's the culmination of it really.

"We're a very young team - whilst the young guys like (Shaun) Johnson and (Kevin) Locke are stepping up, you look at Russell Packer, and Ben Matulino and Sam Rapira, three of the four props.

"How big are they, how young are they - they're 21 to 23 - they're kids still really.''

Kids they may be, but they're mixing it with the best in the business - Matulino and Rapira both Test representatives and Packer surely not too far away from joining them.

But gone are the days when any New Zealand player who showed a glimmer of promise could expect to walk into the national side.

Consider that Johnson - one of the hottest talents in the game - has the likes of Benji Marshall and Kieran Foran ahead of him in the pecking order for a berth in the New Zealand halves.

And what about Locke - the man dubbed the new Billy Slater? He has a battle with Brisbane duo Josh Hoffman and Gerard Beale for the Kiwi No.1 jumper.

New Zealand now not only possess talent, but thanks to the Warriors' success, they have added depth to that talent base.

Still, Hart says talk of a power shift is premature.

"Does this mean New Zealand dominates league - no way,'' he says.

"Australia is the strength of league and we're a participant.

"It's a moment in time - I think you've got to be careful.

"Rugby league in New Zealand is on the up, but one has to be a bit careful about judging rugby league in New Zealand and the Warriors.

"The Warriors are setting the scene for rugby league in New Zealand and I think there are a lot of challenges for rugby league in New Zealand in the wider sense, but I think the Warriors are now the flagship of the game both on and off the field.''

Rather than challenging Australia's No.1 ranking, Hart says a victory over Manly on Sunday would be about gaining respect across the Tasman.

"I don't think the media in Australia give us much of a thought and we get treated that way a bit,'' Hart said.

"You look at the Dally M awards and you would hardly know there is a New Zealand side in the competition.

"This is probably a great statement that we're part of it and we deserve to be there.

"It's a great credit to Ivan in what he's done - getting three teams to the grand final.

"We thought getting three teams to the finals was pretty special - now to have them all in (the grand final) is very special.''

The only thing that could better it would be three trophies.

- AAP