'Change the game': The inspiration for Warriors' young interchange trio

The emergence of the Warriors’ young bench brigade has become one of the more significant stories behind the club’s success this season as they push for a maiden NRL premiership.

While experienced stars such as co-captains James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett, with Erin Clark, set the tone, coach Andrew Webster has increasingly trusted a new generation to come off the interchange and change the momentum of matches.

Demitric Vaimauga and Tanner Stowers-Smith have become mainstays in the side, while Eddie Ieremia-Toeava has taken on an increased role in latter stages of the season, helping cover the absence of Jackson Ford, who is set to return for Saturday’s qualifying final against the Dolphins in Auckland.

Hooker Sam Healey has also provided late-game impact, spelling Wayde Egan and offering a different dynamic around the ruck.

The emergence of Vaimauga, Stowers-Smith and Ieremia-Toeava is particularly significant, given all three have developed through the Warriors’ pathways system and are now making an impact at NRL level, primarily through the middle of the field.

Vaimauga, 22, is the most experienced, bringing up his 50th NRL appearance in the Warriors’ win over the Newcastle Knights – with all those appearances off the interchange.

Ford’s absence left Vaimauga as the Warriors’ most experienced interchange forward, but he does not see himself as the group’s leader.

“The way I look at it, we’re all equals on the bench, especially in the team as well,” Vaimauga told the Herald.

“I feel like I’ve got to try and lead off my actions. If that means taking that big back-fence carry or rushing out of the line, I want to be the one to take that first step.

“The minutes that I’m producing at the moment are high quality, and I feel like that’s probably my massive jump from last year to this year.”

Vaimauga’s increasing influence has been one of the features of the Warriors’ season, with the young forward regularly providing aggression and energy after replacing Clark.

Demitric Vaimauga (from left) and Erin Clark. Photo / Photosport

“He sets a really good platform for me to play my game,” Vaimauga said.

“I feel like when I do go in with that aggressive mindset, being the link between the middles and the halves, running hard opens up the pass. That balance has been real good this year.”

Stowers-Smith, who recently re-signed until the end of the 2030 season, has experienced a similarly rapid rise.

After making his NRL debut last year as a raw prospect, Stowers-Smith has taken on an increased role in 2026, with his leg drive and ability to generate quick play-the-balls becoming key features of his game.

The 22-year-old told the Herald he is proud of his progression over the past year and the interchange group’s responsibility extends beyond providing fresh legs.

“When we get on, we want to make an immediate impact and change the game,” Stowers-Smith said.

“The energy can get a bit low here and there, and that’s our job – to get on the field and create that damage and leg speed through the middle.

“We’re working closely together, me and Demitric, and also Eddie now, who’s been killing it too. It’s pretty cool to be able to go on together and change the game immediately.”

Tanner Stowers-Smith. Photo / Photosport

That cohesion has become an important part of the Warriors’ rotation.

“We also try to play a tough brand of footy, which is what our middles do,” Stowers-Smith said.

“That’s what we want to implement as well, but definitely that impact and that speed of the game. Once the energy does drop, it’s our responsibility to pick it back up and get our team on the front foot.”

While Vaimauga generally replaces Clark and Stowers-Smith spells Fisher-Harris or Barnett, Ieremia-Toeava has emerged as a Mr Fix-It.

The 21-year-old has covered positions through the middle and on the edge, while also filling in at centre.

Ieremia-Toeava credits Webster and the Warriors’ senior leadership group with creating an environment in which young players are encouraged to back themselves.

“I feel like Webby has opened up that space for us young boys to be who we are and just be ourselves,” Ieremia-Toeava said.

“Don’t shy away from the challenge. I feel like he’s installed that into us, especially the next-man-up mentality. He’s given us that confidence to play free and just have fun.

“I don’t hesitate at all. I just put my hand up. But as they say, pressure’s a privilege. When I do get my chance to play any position, I try to play 100% and it’s not often that you get to get pulled in that position.”

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. Photo / Photosport

That confidence will be tested again on Saturday.

While the Dolphins are better known for their backline, their forward pack is immensely strong, while they have developed one of the competition’s most effective interchange rotations, with their bench capable of changing match momentum in a different way.

Kurt Donoghoe and Ray Stone bring aggression and energy, while Francis Molo and Connelly Lemuelu provide size, power and a strong defensive presence.

While the clash between the two benches could prove decisive, Stowers-Smith is relishing the challenge, rather than viewing it as a head-to-head battle.

“I’ve enjoyed the challenge and it shows where I am as a footy player,” Stowers-Smith said.

“Instead of backing down to those challenges, I want to go out there and dominate those opponents.

“That’s been a big pillar for me this year – not stepping back, but stepping to the challenge and proving myself as a first grader against these top-tier players.

“They’ve got a really good bench as well and a starting pack too. They’re almost like us, the way we play, especially through the middle.”

The impact of the Warriors’ bench has been noticed by senior players, including Egan, who says their growth over the past 12 months has been immense.

“I don’t really see them as young guys now,” Egan said.

“They’re experienced because of how well they’re playing and how mature those guys are. The guys coming off the bench are doing an excellent job and they’re playing at a great level.

“It feels like we don’t dip at all when Fish, Barney and Erin head off. They bring a little bit of something different, those bench guys, but I think they’re doing an excellent job and they’re one of the best benches in the comp at the moment.”

The Warriors will need their rotation at the top of its game to beat the Dolphins, with the last six NRL meetings all decided by four points or fewer.

Both meetings this season were decided by two points.

In round eight, the Warriors overcame a 12-point deficit to claim a 20-18 win on Anzac Day in Wellington.

Then in round 17 in Brisbane, the Warriors thought they had snatched victory with a late Healey try before a Selwyn Cobbo try in the final two minutes saw the Dolphins win 26-24.

The winner will advance directly to the preliminary finals, while the loser will play a sudden-death elimination semi-final against South Sydney Rabbitohs or Knights.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.