KEY POINTS:
There was a time, not that long ago, when the Warriors looked enviously at their Australian rivals.
They often missed out on the best young league talent in New Zealand as agents, scouts and coaches ushered them through customs and delivered them to well-established clubs across the Tasman.
There was little the Warriors could do about it because there was nothing they could offer other than a dream to one day, maybe, play NRL football. Sometimes they didn't even know these players existed.
All that has changed with the establishment of the under-20s competition. It is this, as much as the senior side's incredible run in the latter half of the season, that should give fans hope for the future. After all, the Warriors were the only club to have two sides playing this weekend.
"There's no real hard evidence, but we are getting a lot more contact from players interested in joining us," says Junior Warriors coach Tony Iro. "Agents see us as providing a genuine pathway and one thing we have always had is parents wanting their boys playing close to them.
"We have that pulling power now but it still doesn't mean we are going to get everyone, but we are certainly happy with what we have recruited for the next year or two anyway."
A spot in the under-20s is no guarantee of future success because, as Iro says, "the under-20s is still a mile away from NRL".
But it does provide a clearer idea of who can make it. Already Ben Matulino, Sonny Fai, Russell Packer and Patrick Ah Van have successfully made the step up and others are destined to follow.
Back rower Elijah Taylor, five-eighth Daniel O'Regan, fullback Kevin Locke, halfback Isaac John, winger Bill Tupou, centre Thomas Ah Van and hooker Alehana Mara fit into this category, while there are also high hopes for prop Leeson Ah Mau and second rower Scott Jones.
What is one of the most encouraging aspects is the fact players in key positions and positions New Zealand has traditionally struggled to fill - hooker, halfback, five-eighth and fullback - have been among the best this season.
Out of the 17 who took to the field against Brisbane last night, 15 are returning to Mt Smart Stadium, with only Steve Rapira, who is joining the Cowboys, and Eddy Purcell, leaving.
Nine will still be eligible for the under-20s next season, including Matulino - although it would be fair to assume he will spend most of his time with the NRL squad.
"I'm hoping the guys in the under-20s will have to bide their time next season and not step up too quickly," Iro says. "If they are playing NRL, it's probably because the first team has got a few more injuries than they would like.
"In saying that, if they are good enough, they are old enough and Ben Matulino is a good example of someone who found the transition fairly easy. Kids will surprise you in terms of how they can handle it. Elijah Taylor is an example of someone who could handle it because he has a good head on his shoulders. He's the sort of player who could handle it both physically and mentally."
Taylor played for the Warriors first team in an NRL trial before the season started, even though he was only 17, and is the only one of the under-20s to play all 27 games.
Although the signs are good for him, and a number of others, one thing that has struck Iro this year is how quickly the landscape changes in his job.
"What never ceases to amaze me is how much they can change in 12 months," he says. "A kid you thought was no chance 12 months ago, this time next year might be another Ben Matulino.
"The NRL is a very tough place to be," Iro says.
"Physically it's a very demanding sport but it's even tougher mentally and most kids don't make it because of that fact. It's a lot of stuff you can't teach.
"You obviously have to have the physical talents to play the game but you also have to have the mental fortitude and play in pain - all the tough stuff a lot of people don't have. The most talented player is not necessarily going to be an NRL player purely for that reason.
"NRL coaches look for consistency and a lot of people can't deliver that, especially when their body is hurting. It takes a pretty special person to play the game now."
The Warriors already have 27 players contracted to their under-20s squad for next season and are looking to increase that to 35, the number of players they have used this year.
They started this season with 25 but quickly realised it wasn't enough because they found most players couldn't cope with the rigours of playing week in, week out.
STARS IN THEIR EYES
As well as Russell Packer (prop), Sonny Fai (second row), Patrick Ah Van (wing/centre) and Ben Matulino (second row), who have all played NRL football, there is abundant promise in the Warriors under-20 side.
Kevin Locke (fullback) The 19-year-old was talked about as a possible replacement for Wade McKinnon when the firecracker fullback injured his knee in pre-season. He has genuine speed and a good head on him and went into last night's match with 226 points in 23 games, made up of 14 tries and 85 goals. What could count against him is his size. At only 1.75m and 79kg, he's on the small size for the NRL but could look to Billy Slater for inspiration. The Melbourne custodian is only 10kg heavier. Locke could also find his way to the first team blocked by McKinnon, who has signed until the end of 2011.
Bill Tupou (wing) Still only 18, Tupou is eligible to play Toyota Cup for another two years. He has proven himself a lethal finisher and, heading into last night's match, he was joint-top tryscorer with Locke with 14 tries in 18 games.
Elijah Taylor (back row) Coach Tony Iro is quick to sing the praises of this highly promising 18-year-old. Taylor played in an NRL pre-season match for the Warriors when he was only 17 and is the only ever-present in the Junior Warriors in 2008. Originally from Patea, he's a product of St Paul's and was a New Zealand Maori under-18 representative in 2007.
Daniel O'Regan (five-eighth) Nephew of well-regarded 1980s Kiwi Ron O'Regan and skipper of the under-20s, O'Regan has been earmarked as a player with a promising future for some time, having come through the Warriors development system. He is a composed and intelligent player and also has a good kicking game. A Junior Kiwi in 2005. Steps up to the NRL squad next year.
Alehana Mara (hooker) The Wellington product is in only his first season playing hooker and has been a revelation. He is a composed player with genuine speed and, at 18, is eligible to play under-20s for another two years. A New Zealand Under-18 representative in 2007 and a Junior Kiwi in 2006
Isaac John (halfback) The halfback who hails from Turangawaewae has been the biggest improver in 2008 in the toughest job on the park. He's combined well with O'Regan to help the team progress as far as they have and has a good eye for the tryline with 10 in 24 games. Junior Kiwi in 2006 and New Zealand under-16 representative in 2004.
Thomas Ah Van (wing) The younger brother of Patrick Ah Van has speed to burn and, having only recently turned 18, plenty of time to
develop. He has a proven record, with 10 tries in only 14 under-20 games, and is considered a very promising player.
Scott Jones (second/back row) Injury has seriously affected his season in 2008 and last night was only his fifth game of the season. He's a hard-working and intelligent backrower who played in all 22 matches for the Auckland Lions (now Vulcans) in last year's NSW Premier League.
Leeson Ah Mau (prop) Still only 18, Ah Mau is a powerful prop. He missed last night's match with an ankle injury but with eight tries this year, he has the best strike rate of any forward in the Junior Warriors. New Zealand under-18s in 2007 and a Junior Kiwi in 2006.
