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‘Everything’s under a microscope’: New recruit Gannon adjusts to Warriors’ NRL standards
Stephen Foote • January 22nd, 2026 1:52 pm
Morgan Gannon | Photo: Photosport
As you'd expect for anyone moving their life to a new country on the other side of the world, English Warriors recruit Morgan Gannon has faced a multitude of adjustments.
Gannon's first impressions of New Zealand have been defined by an arduous pre-season training regime, which he admits has been a step above those he's experienced during his Super League tenure - particularly in terms of the focus on the fine-tuning from the coaching staff.
"Pre-season has been tough," Gannon told Sport Nation, fresh from the unforgiving slopes of the notorious Bethells Beach sand dunes .
"They're always tough, even back home, but I think the biggest difference that I've found is just the detail. Everything's under a microscope over here with the amount of detail the coaches go into and everything's constantly being reviewed.
"That level of detail is just another step up in terms of the rugby league side of it, which I've found has been the biggest adjustment."
The 22-year-old was signed by the Warriors from the Leeds Rhinos last April on a three-year deal starting in 2026.
The move south was motivated by Gannon's desire to test himself in the planet's premier rugby league competition, following a path laid by his father Jim - who spent two seasons with the Tigers in the late '90s before playing out a lengthy career in the UK.
Brother Jacob was also made a living from professional rugby league, spending a few seasons with the Super League's Warrington Wolves.
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"They were really supportive and obviously we've grown up around rugby, me and my brother, our whole life so we've always had that desire to want to come to the NRL and test ourselves," he explained.
"When the Warriors came knocking it was sort of an opportunity too good to refuse and they're all really excited that I've got this opportunity to come out here and play in the best league.
"The Warriors set up a call with Andrew Webster and Andrew McFadden and we had a chat for about an hour, just talking about their plans, my ambitions and everything like that, and then that sort of snowballed from there."
Gannon adds further depth to the Warriors' forward stocks - a group who've left a considerable impression on the Brit with a level of "maturity and discipline" that belies their age.
"I was really, really surprised not only how young some of the forwards are, but their level of maturity and physical presence at training," he noted.
"It's pretty scary how young they are and the sort of level that they're playing at.
"But it's been really good getting to train with them - week in, week out - for the pre-season. It's only going to make me feel more prepared going into games when you're rubbing shoulders with the best."
Fans and coaches alike will have their first opportunity to see Gannon in action on the field at the Warriors' opening pre-season clash with the Manly Sea Eagles on February 14.
Listen to the full interview below:
