New Zealand Warriors
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland
, New Zealand
. They compete in the National Rugby League
(NRL) premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia. Coached by Brian McClennan
and captained by Simon Mannering
, the Warriors are based at Mt Smart Stadium
in the southern Auckland suburb of Penrose
.
For the 1995 season the newly formed Auckland Warriors became the first off-shore club to be admitted to the Australian Rugby League
's premiership when it expanded to twenty teams. As a result of the mid-1990s' Super League war
, Auckland left the ARL to compete in the Super League competition of 1997
, before joining the re-unified NRL the following year. They re-branded themselves the New Zealand Warriors in 2001. Over seventeen seasons the Warriors have claimed one minor premiership (in 2002), reached two grand finals (2002 and 2011), reached the play-offs 7 times, and provided the majority of the New Zealand national team
's players.
Rugby league was largely centred around Auckland ever since the New Zealand Rugby League
was founded in 1909. Auckland produced the bulk of the international squad for many years, and most of these players headed to either Australia or Great Britain to play.
The Auckland representative side was consistently providing top opposition to touring sides. An Auckland team was admitted into the mid-week ARL Amco Cup
competition in 1978. In their first year they made the semi-finals, and were defeated by the overall competition winners, Eastern Suburbs
. They remained into the competition until the early 1980s. In 1987, an Auckland side toured Great Britain and claimed wins over powerhouse clubs Leeds and Wigan.
In 1988, serious investigation into an Auckland team entering the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
commenced, encouraged mainly by the Mt Albert club
. On 17 May 1992, the announcement stating an Auckland-based team's entry into the Australian Rugby League competition, the Winfield Cup in 1995, was made. This followed very good turnouts to a number of NSWRL
club games played in Auckland. The new team was to be called the Auckland Warriors and run by the Auckland Rugby League organisation. The original colours selected were blue, white, red and green. Blue and white are recognised as the colours of Auckland, while red and green were the colours of the Warriors' original sponsor, DB Bitter
.
The coach of the new team would be former Parramatta and Wigan coach John Monie
. A number of fading stars were signed, such as Greg Alexander
and Andy Platt
. Captain Dean Bell
was one of the few signings who performed regularly. Former Rugby union players such as John Kirwan and Marc Ellis
were brought in later years.
The Warriors' first year in the Australian Rugby League was 1995
. Their debut match was against the Brisbane Broncos
on 10 March 1995 in front of 30,000 people at a newly refurbished Mt Smart Stadium
. The Warriors led 22–10 at one point in the second half of the match, however the Broncos finished far stronger and defeated the new club 25–22.
A home crowd attendance record of 32,174 was set at Ericsson Stadium in Round 6 of the 1995 ARL season, a record that was not topped until Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season
.
The Warriors were deducted two competition points for an interchange error. In a match against Western Suburbs
, the Warriors used five interchange players instead of the allowed four. The Warriors won the match comfortably, 46–12. This error had disastrous consequences for the club, as they utimately missed the finals by two competition points. The season saw the debut of future star, Stacey Jones
, who scored a try on debut in a 40–4 rout of Parramatta in Sydney. The biggest issue with the season was the lack of consistency that plagues the Warriors even today, despite a six match winning streak late in the season. It was observed that when the Warriors weren't winning by 20 points they were losing by 20 points.
The Australian Rugby League season 1996
could have been regarded as a better one for the Warriors. The Warriors found themselves siding with the Super League during the Super League War when the New Zealand Rugby League
signed up to the rebel competition. They claimed their first 'victory' over the Broncos in round one of the competition that year, after all Super League clubs agreed to boycott the first round of the competition in protest. The Warriors won the two points when they travelled to Brisbane with a squad of players that were unsigned to Super League, forcing the Broncos to forfeit the match.
With four rounds remaining the Warriors were in sixth place in the competition, seemingly headed for a finals berth. They proceeded to lose all four matches to tumble out of the finals. The only positives were that young New Zealand talents Stacey Jones
and Joe Vagana
had superb seasons.
The Warriors spent 1997
in the breakaway Super League
Telstra Cup competition. Despite the reduced number of teams, they failed to make an impression on the competition. Monie was replaced by Frank Endacott
as coach midway through the 1997 season. The only positive was the teams performance in the World Club Challenge. The Warriors hammered United Kingdom powerhouses Wigan and St Helens, and comfortably handled Warrington. The Warriors were knocked out in the Semi Finals by eventual winners Brisbane, going down 16–22.
The first season
of the reformed competition was a year that saw few highlights for the club. It was readily apparent that the club needed a new approach and attitude. Fortunately for them, they were in a better position than the other two clubs that joined the competition in 1995.
Former Kiwi
Mark Graham
took over as coach in 1999
. The club was sold off to a consortuim that included ex-Kiwi coach Graham Lowe and the Tainui
tribe. The club again disappointed on field, but a mid season ultimatum saw a strong finish to the season, with the side winning five of their last six games. The signs appeared promising for the new millennium.
In National Rugby League season 2000
the Warriors could only finish second last. This season included the Warriors' largest ever loss, 54–0 to the Dragons in Wollongong. Alarmingly, the problems off-field overshadowed the on-field problems. The majority shareholders were under intense financial pressure, and the club's future was looking bleak at best. The key assets of the club were purchased by business tycoon Eric Watson. This did not include player contracts, and many players were released and had to fight to get the money they had been promised. Ultimately only 10 players from the 2000 season were retained.
The club was re-branded as the New Zealand Warriors, with new colours of black and grey – resembling the national sporting colours. New coach Daniel Anderson
and CEO Mick Watson
focused on signing unknown New Zealand talent. There were only six Australians in the 2001 squad, and only three foundation players – Monty Betham, Stacey Jones and Logan Swann.
In a season where the rebranded New Zealand Warriors were tipped to finish in second-last place behind the North Queensland Cowboys, the team surprised all, qualifying for their first ever finals appearance in the National Rugby League season 2001
.
The Warriors were involved in Round 8 in one of the biggest near-comebacks in the history of the NRL. Down 24–8 to the Bulldogs with under six minutes remaining, the Warriors rattled off three tries in as many sets, only failing to win the match as ironically Stacey Jones missed his easiest kick of the night in the final minute.
After a mid season struggle, the Warriors upset the runaway minor premiers Parramatta 29–18 at home, in what was a highlight match.
Then, with their season on the line, the team won four matches in a row, starting with impressive 34–8, 30–0, and 14–8 home victories over fellow finals-bound teams the Bulldogs, Sharks and Roosters. The Warriors also scored 24 unanswered points in the final quarter to beat the Panthers 48–32. Their first finals appearance was sealed with a bruising 24–24 draw with the Storm at Colonial Stadium (now Telstra Dome), but the effects of this bruising match was seen a week later, as the Warriors were beaten by 30–18 at home by the Cowboys, a win that saw the North Queenslanders avoiding the wooden spoon.
On a hiding to nothing heading into their first ever finals appearance, they were hammered by the Minor Premiers, the Parramatta Eels 56–12. The loss was at the time the largest in finals series history, but at last things seemed to be going in the right direction at the Warriors.
The Warriors reached their zenith to date in the National Rugby League season 2002
. They won the Minor Premiership
, finishing in first place at the conclusion of the regular season after the Bulldogs lost 37 competition points late in the season due to severe salary cap breaches. The club played what stands as the first finals match to have been held outside Australia at Mt Smart Stadium in the first week of the Finals Series. The Warriors would defeat their bogey side Canberra 36–20 after surviving an early scare.
For the Preliminary Final against the Sharks
at Telstra Stadium
the Warriors' sponsors, such as Vodafone New Zealand
and Eric Watson, purchased 15,000 tickets and gave them away for free to anyone with a New Zealand passport. Reportedly, in the 45,000 crowd there were more Warriors supporters than Sharks supporters – astonishing considering the Sharks are a Sydney based club. The Warriors went on to win 16–10 with John Carlaw scoring a famous try after latching onto a pinpoint Stacey Jones grubber-kick.
The Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters
was a tight match for the first hour. The Warriors trailed 2–6 at half time, but took a lead just after halftime when Jones scored a great grand final try – as he left defenders sprawling in his wake on a 40 metre run to the try line. The Roosters ran away with the match in the final 20 minutes after captain Brad Fittler
was involved in a head clash with Warriors prop Richard Villasanti
. The final score was an unflattering 8–30.
2003
was another quite successful year for the Warriors.
After blowing an early 16–0 lead to lose 26–36 to the Newcastle Knights in Round 1, the Warriors embarked on a five-match winning streak to announce themselves as contenders for the season. However, the Warriors then struggled through the middle-stages of the season, squandering a 26–12 lead with eight minutes remaining to lose to the Parramatta Eels dramatically 28–26 at Parramaata Stadium. There was also an insipid 10–30 loss in Townsville to the North Queensland. They played their first ever extra time match, defeating South Sydney 31–30, recovering from a 6–24 deficit.
On the back of inspired play by prop Richard Vilisanti, the Warriors secured their playoff spot, ultimately finishing sixth on points differential, a dangerous position to finish, as the 6th placed finishers had been eliminated after the first week of the playoffs in the past three seasons.
Their first finals match was against the Bulldogs at the Sydney Showground. The Warriors turned on one of their finest performances ever, stunning the Bulldogs early to lead 16–4 at halftime, and after a Bulldogs comeback tied the scores at 16-all, scoring five tries in 16 minutes to blow the Bulldogs away, eventually winning 48–22. Winger Francis Meli
scored five tries, a finals record. This prompted Graham Lowe, a known critic of the Warriors to say that the Warriors would win the premiership. The next week a Stacey Jones field-goal in the dying minutes got the Warriors past a gallant Canberra Raiders 17–16. They however lost in the Preliminary Final to the Minor Premiers and eventual Premiers Penrith Panthers
, 20–28. It was a disappointing loss for the Warriors, who did not lead at any point of the match, and blew their chance early in the second-half to take their first lead, when Henry Fa'afili lost the ball with the line wide open.
Before the National Rugby League season 2004
started, there were predictions of the Warriors having a highly successful season. These were proved wrong, as the Warriors managed to only win six games to finish equal last, only escaping the wooden spoon by having a superior points differential to South Sydney. Coach Daniel Anderson resigned mid-season after an embarrassing 52 point loss to the Sydney Roosters. His assistant Tony Kemp
was given the head coach position, and in his first game in charge the Warriors recorded an emotional 20–14 win over Canberra. A week later, the Warriors' first match in Christchurch
since 1996 was a flop, as the Warriors were destroyed by the Wests Tigers
4–50. The season finished with an embarrassing six game losing streak.
The management looked to rescue a poor year with some high profile signings. Bulldogs captain Steve Price was signed, as was Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki
, Cowboys half Nathan Fien and Roosters winger Todd Byrne
.
2005
was an improvement over the horror scenes of 2004. The team remained competitive for all of their matches, and their largest loss was only 18 points. The team had a good chance to make the finals, however a four match losing streak late in the season removed those chances. The season was tinged with sadness, as it was announced it would be star halfback Stacey Jones' last season with the club before he would join French Super League
club, Catalans Dragons
. His last match for the team against Manly at Brookvale Oval
was a fine way for him to sign off with the club as he scored the match-winning try with three minutes to go in a 22–20 victory.
At the end of the season the structure of the team was reviewed. CEO Mick Watson
resigned and was replaced by Wayne Scurrah. Tony Kemp was sacked as coach and his assistant Ivan Cleary
replaced him as head coach.
National Rugby League season 2006
got off to a bad start for the club. In February, the Warriors were found to have committed major breaches of the salary cap in 2005. This followed the high profile signings of Steve Price and Ruben Wiki. On 27 February the NRL
announced the club would be deducted four competition points and the club would also be fined A$430,000.
Even before the penalty the Warriors were expected to struggle and were being picked as wooden spooners in some quarters. With the four point deduction, the Warriors won their first NRL game away from Auckland, with a 26–10 victory over the reigning premiers, the Wests Tigers, at Jade Stadium
in Christchurch.
On 25 June the Warriors recorded their largest ever win, defeating South Sydney 66–0 at Telstra Stadium
, as part of a four-match winning streak that claimed the scalps of the Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights, and also the Penrith Panthers. This streak was ended in a 18–22 golden-point loss to the Bulldogs, in a game where the Warriors surrendered an early 16–0 lead.
The Warriors finished the season on a positive note leaving room for optimism for 2007 and beyond. They caused arguably the upset of the season, defeating the Minor Premiers Melbourne
24–20 at Olympic Park Stadium
in Melbourne, preventing the Storm from going the full regular season unbeaten at home.
Impressively, it took the Warriors 24 weeks to be completely out of finals contention. The Warriors finished winning eight of their final twelve games, including a 42–16 thrashing of the Roosters in Round 25, which included four tries by Jerome Ropati. Had the Warriors not suffered the four-point deduction, they would have finished in eighth place on the ladder, and hence would have taken part in the finals series. As it was, they finished tenth on the ladder.
There were a number of revelations in the squad. Unheralded halfback Grant Rovelli
was a standout performer. Winger Patrick Ah Van
has cemented a first grade spot and impressed many with his performances, while George Gatis
and Nathan Fien were fine performers at hooker, and centre Simon Mannering
has been one of the Warriors most impressive backs.
Return to the Finals – 2007
The Warriors completed their pre-season with two wins from three games, defeating the Auckland Lions
64–4, losing to the North Queensland Cowboys
32–14 and defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs
36–6.
The Warriors finished the 2007 season
in fourth place. The season began with a 34–18 victory over Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium. The following week the side created history by winning their first two games of the season with a 24–14 victory over premiers, the Brisbane Broncos – the first time they have ever won their opening two games of the season.
After a good start which saw the team sitting in fourth place with a 4–2 win-loss record, the team hit a period of indifferent form, falling into a six match losing streak following a last minute win over South Sydney. The team returned to form, defeating Cronulla 12–2 in wild weather at Toyota Park. Following that victory the side won 9 out of 12 games, with one draw. The Warriors clinched a playoff spot with a 36–14 win over an understrength Manly side, and claimed a home final the following week, defeating the Penrith Panthers 24–20 at CUA Stadium in Round 25.
The Warriors, by virtue of finishing the regular season in fourth place, won the right to host one of the finals matches in the first week of the playoffs. However, the Warriors narrowly went down to the Parramatta Eels 12–10 at Mount Smart Stadium, and their season ended with an awful 12–49 loss to the Cowboys in Townsville.
On 30 May the Warriors signed Australian Kangaroos' centre, Brent Tate
from 2008 to 2010 in what was described as a "major coup" for the New Zealand club.
The 2008 season did not start as brightly for the club, losing Wade McKinnon for much of the year during a pre-season loss to Newcastle, and losing captain Steve Price for ten weeks, as well as injuries to other key players Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati and Michael Witt. The team remained in contention for much of the season, however often performed very poorly away from Mt Smart Stadium, and suffered their first loss to South Sydney (28–35) since 1999, and went on to lose to the Rabbitohs again later in the season (16–18). Despite poor results away, strong home form and a now common revival in the second half of the season saw the Warriors make the top eight for the second season running, incredibly despite spending only three weeks in the top eight all season. A top-eight berth was secured in the last game of the season, when the Warriors defeated the Parramatta Eels
28–6 at Parramatta Stadium, marking the first time since 1995 that the Warriors had won away to Parramatta.
With nothing to lose in the first week of the finals, the Warriors caused arguably the greatest finals upset ever, and arguably greatest victory in the history of the club, defeating Melbourne 18–15 at Olympic Park; in doing so, they became the first 8th placed team to beat the minor premiers, with Michael Witt scoring two minutes from fulltime to clinch the win. Witt taunted Melbourne captain, Cameron Smith, before placing the ball for the historic victory.
In week two of the playoffs, the Warriors came from behind to defeat the Sydney Roosters
30–13 at Mt. Smart Stadium. The Roosters led 13–6 at halftime before a second-half comeback saw the Warriors pile on twenty-four unanswered points to earn the Warriors a place in the preliminary finals. This was the first time since 2003 that the Warriors have reached the grand final qualifier, and third overall in 14 seasons. They however went down heavily to an inspired Manly Sea Eagles 32–6.
2009 started with the loss of young up-and-comer Sonny Fai
, who tragically drowned at Bethels Beach, near Auckland. He had gone into dangerous surf to rescue some relatives but was probably sucked under by a rip. Almost as if using the occurrence as a inhibitor, the Warriors had a very disappointing year, despite winning the opening two rounds against eventual grand finalists Parramatta Eels 26–18 and reigning premiers Manly Sea Eagles.
After those great wins they proceeded to win a poor 1 of 8 games including a draw.
They did however manage to beat West Tigers 14–0 and the Knights 13–0 keeping both opponents scoreless, but it was the poor attacking that had every league fan questioning. and ultimately saw them lose their next 3 matches by heavy scores. They did beat the Roosters 30–24 at SFS and Raiders 34–20 at Mt Smart Stadium. But in the end the Warriors lost their final two games against the Bulldogs in Hazem El Masri's last home game [before finals] and ultimately ended their poor season in a bad way losing 0–30 to the eventual premiers Melbourne Storm.
Expectations were not high for the Warriors in 2010 after a disappointing 2009 season. The Warriors bolstered their playing stocks in the pivotal play-making positions by signing badboy Brett Seymour
after he was cut by Cronulla and James Maloney
from Melbourne. In arguably one of their best ever performances they humbled the Brisbane Broncos
48–16 at Suncorp Stadium in Round 3, with Maloney tying a club-record with 28 points (3 tries and 8 goals). Kevin Locke scored a hat-trick in the Warriors miraculous 20–18 win over the Sydney Roosters at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, narrowly escaping a serious hip injury after a high-speed collision with the goal-post (in the process of scoring the game-winning try). The Warriors won five matches in a row for first time since late in the 2003 season and finished in 5th position in the regular season. Sadly getting out of the final series in the first week after losing to Gold Coast Titans
.
The Warriors began the 2011 season with an historic match Auckland's Eden Park
, the first regular season home game the club had played away from Mt Smart Stadium. The match drew a record home game crowd for the Warriors of 38,405 however unfortunately the Warriors could not repay the large crowd with a victory as they were beaten 24-18 by the Parramatta Eels. The Warriors went on to lose their following two matches and it appeared that Warriors fans were in for another season of disappointment. To their credit the Warriors bounced back and were in the running for a top four position late in the season but finished in 6th spot. Midway through the season coach Ivan Cleary was approached by the Penrith Panthers and was appointed as their coach for the 2012 season. Cleary remained coach for the remainder of the 2011 season with Brian McClennan appointed his successor for 2012. One of the highlights of the season was the unearthing of young halfback Shaun Johnson who played a key role as the Warriors approached the 2011 finals series.
In week one of the finals series the Warriors were thrashed 40-10 by the Brisbane Broncos. Other results went the Warriors way and they were fortunate to progress to week two of the finals where they would meet a highflying Wests Tigers who had completed their 9th straight victory. The match was expected to go the Tigers way however a brilliant second half comeback by the Warriors culminated in a late and controversial try to Krisnan Inu which saw the Warriors win 22-20 and earn the right to play the Melbourne Storm for a place in the Grand Final.
The Warriors travelled to Melbourne as heavy underdogs but turned in what is considered one of the most complete performances in the clubs history. The Warriors controlled the match and sealed the Melbourne Storm's fate with Shaun Johnson mesmerising the Storm defence to send Lewis Brown in for the try that would send the Warriors to their second ever Grand Final, where they would meet the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Warriors would again start the match as heavy underdogs and with a side boasting only three players who had previously played in a Grand Final. But for a few moments of bad luck and some mistimed errors when it mattered most, the Warriors could well have celebrated their maiden premiership in 2011. In the end they fell just short – beaten by a rampant Manly outfit 24-10 in the decider – yet the Warriors’ effort in reaching just their second ever grand final (and their first in nine years) was a triumph for the club and departing coach Ivan Cleary.
* indicates player still active.
1995–2010
Surrendered a 16-point lead (twice).
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. They compete in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL) premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia. Coached by Brian McClennan
Brian McClennan
Brian "Bluey" McClennan is the head coach for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League . He was previously the head coach of the New Zealand national team and then England's Leeds Rhinos club...
and captained by Simon Mannering
Simon Mannering
Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
, the Warriors are based at Mt Smart Stadium
Mt Smart Stadium
Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors...
in the southern Auckland suburb of Penrose
Penrose, New Zealand
Penrose is an industrial suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, at a distance of about nine kilometres, between the suburbs of Oranga and Mount Wellington, and close to the Mangere Inlet, an arm of the Manukau Harbour...
.
For the 1995 season the newly formed Auckland Warriors became the first off-shore club to be admitted to the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
's premiership when it expanded to twenty teams. As a result of the mid-1990s' Super League war
Super League war
The Super League war is the common name given to the corporate dispute that was fought in and out of court during the mid-1990s between the Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation-backed Super League and the Kerry Packer and Optus Vision-backed Australian Rugby League organisations over broadcasting...
, Auckland left the ARL to compete in the Super League competition of 1997
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
, before joining the re-unified NRL the following year. They re-branded themselves the New Zealand Warriors in 2001. Over seventeen seasons the Warriors have claimed one minor premiership (in 2002), reached two grand finals (2002 and 2011), reached the play-offs 7 times, and provided the majority of the New Zealand national team
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
's players.
The History of the Bid
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
was founded in 1909. Auckland produced the bulk of the international squad for many years, and most of these players headed to either Australia or Great Britain to play.
The Auckland representative side was consistently providing top opposition to touring sides. An Auckland team was admitted into the mid-week ARL Amco Cup
Amco Cup
The Amco Cup was a mid-week rugby league competition held in Australia between 1974 and 1989. The format was usually a straight knock-out, but various group formats were used between 1979 and 1982...
competition in 1978. In their first year they made the semi-finals, and were defeated by the overall competition winners, Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
. They remained into the competition until the early 1980s. In 1987, an Auckland side toured Great Britain and claimed wins over powerhouse clubs Leeds and Wigan.
In 1988, serious investigation into an Auckland team entering the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League from 1908 until 1994, the premiership was the state's and later the country's elite rugby league competition...
commenced, encouraged mainly by the Mt Albert club
Mt Albert Lions
The Mount Albert Lions are a rugby league club based in Mount Albert, New Zealand. The Lions home ground is at Fowlds Park. Their patron is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. In 2008 and 2009 the Lions won the Fox Memorial....
. On 17 May 1992, the announcement stating an Auckland-based team's entry into the Australian Rugby League competition, the Winfield Cup in 1995, was made. This followed very good turnouts to a number of NSWRL
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
club games played in Auckland. The new team was to be called the Auckland Warriors and run by the Auckland Rugby League organisation. The original colours selected were blue, white, red and green. Blue and white are recognised as the colours of Auckland, while red and green were the colours of the Warriors' original sponsor, DB Bitter
DB Breweries
DB Breweries is a Singaporean and Dutch brewing company operating in New Zealand. It was founded in 1930 by Sir Henry Kelliher and W Joseph Coutts with the purchase of Levers and Co. and the Waitemata Brewery Co. in Otahuhu. The company mainly produces pale lager...
.
1995 – The First Season
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (of 20) | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | – | 538 | 501 | +37 |
The coach of the new team would be former Parramatta and Wigan coach John Monie
John Monie
John Monie is a former professional rugby league coach and player. He is probably best known for his coaching career where he won premierships in both Australia and England.-Playing career:...
. A number of fading stars were signed, such as Greg Alexander
Greg Alexander
Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country...
and Andy Platt
Andy Platt
Andy Platt is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Great Britain international representative prop forward, he played for English clubs St Helens, Wigan, Widnes and Salford, as well as in New Zealand for the Auckland Warriors.-Playing career:He started his...
. Captain Dean Bell
Dean Bell
Dean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a...
was one of the few signings who performed regularly. Former Rugby union players such as John Kirwan and Marc Ellis
Marc Ellis (rugby)
Marc Christopher Gwynne Ellis is a New Zealand businessman and television presenter, and former rugby league and rugby union player. A graduate of the University of Otago, his primary business interests are in Charlie's, a juice company...
were brought in later years.
The Warriors' first year in the Australian Rugby League was 1995
Australian Rugby League season 1995
The 1995 ARL premiership was the 88th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the first to be run by the Australian Rugby League. For the first time since 1988, the League expanded again, with the addition of four new clubs from North Queensland, Western Australia, South...
. Their debut match was against the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
on 10 March 1995 in front of 30,000 people at a newly refurbished Mt Smart Stadium
Mt Smart Stadium
Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors...
. The Warriors led 22–10 at one point in the second half of the match, however the Broncos finished far stronger and defeated the new club 25–22.
A home crowd attendance record of 32,174 was set at Ericsson Stadium in Round 6 of the 1995 ARL season, a record that was not topped until Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season
2011 NRL season
The 2011 NRL season was the 105th season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the fourteenth run by the National Rugby League. The NRL's main championship, called the 2011 Telstra Premiership due to sponsorship from Telstra, was contested by sixteen teams for the...
.
The Warriors were deducted two competition points for an interchange error. In a match against Western Suburbs
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
, the Warriors used five interchange players instead of the allowed four. The Warriors won the match comfortably, 46–12. This error had disastrous consequences for the club, as they utimately missed the finals by two competition points. The season saw the debut of future star, Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
, who scored a try on debut in a 40–4 rout of Parramatta in Sydney. The biggest issue with the season was the lack of consistency that plagues the Warriors even today, despite a six match winning streak late in the season. It was observed that when the Warriors weren't winning by 20 points they were losing by 20 points.
1996
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th (of 20) | 21 | 10 | 0 | 11 | – | 412 | 427 | −15 |
The Australian Rugby League season 1996
Australian Rugby League season 1996
The 1996 ARL premiership was the 89th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the second to be run by the Australian Rugby League...
could have been regarded as a better one for the Warriors. The Warriors found themselves siding with the Super League during the Super League War when the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
signed up to the rebel competition. They claimed their first 'victory' over the Broncos in round one of the competition that year, after all Super League clubs agreed to boycott the first round of the competition in protest. The Warriors won the two points when they travelled to Brisbane with a squad of players that were unsigned to Super League, forcing the Broncos to forfeit the match.
With four rounds remaining the Warriors were in sixth place in the competition, seemingly headed for a finals berth. They proceeded to lose all four matches to tumble out of the finals. The only positives were that young New Zealand talents Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
and Joe Vagana
Joe Vagana
Joe Vagana is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. During his career Vagana played for the Auckland Warriors and the Bradford Bulls and also represented both Samoa and New Zealand in international competition...
had superb seasons.
Super League – 1997
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th (of 10) | 18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | – | 332 | 406 | −74 |
The Warriors spent 1997
Super League (Australia) season 1997
The 1997 Super League season was the 90th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the first and only to be run by the News Limited-controlled Super League organisation...
in the breakaway Super League
Super League war
The Super League war is the common name given to the corporate dispute that was fought in and out of court during the mid-1990s between the Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation-backed Super League and the Kerry Packer and Optus Vision-backed Australian Rugby League organisations over broadcasting...
Telstra Cup competition. Despite the reduced number of teams, they failed to make an impression on the competition. Monie was replaced by Frank Endacott
Frank Endacott
Frank Morris Endacott, ONZM is a retired rugby league player and coach from New Zealand. His son, Shane, also played rugby league.-Playing career:Endacott played for Addington and Hornby in the Canterbury Rugby League competition...
as coach midway through the 1997 season. The only positive was the teams performance in the World Club Challenge. The Warriors hammered United Kingdom powerhouses Wigan and St Helens, and comfortably handled Warrington. The Warriors were knocked out in the Semi Finals by eventual winners Brisbane, going down 16–22.
1998
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15th (of 20) | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | – | 417 | 518 | −101 |
The first season
National Rugby League season 1998
The 1998 NRL season was the 91st season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the inaugural season of the newly formed National Rugby League. After the Australian Rugby League and Super League organisations ran separate competitions parallel to each other in 1997, they joined to...
of the reformed competition was a year that saw few highlights for the club. It was readily apparent that the club needed a new approach and attitude. Fortunately for them, they were in a better position than the other two clubs that joined the competition in 1995.
The Tainui Era – 1999
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th (of 17) | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | – | 538 | 498 | +40 |
Former Kiwi
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
Mark Graham
Mark Graham (rugby league)
Mark Kerry Graham is a New Zealand retired rugby league footballer and coach. A back-rower and former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team, he has been named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.-Playing career:An Otahahu junior, Graham...
took over as coach in 1999
National Rugby League season 1999
The 1999 NRL season was the 92nd season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the second to be run by the National Rugby League. Seventeen teams competed for the NRL Premiership during the season which culminated in a grand final between the first grand final played at Stadium...
. The club was sold off to a consortuim that included ex-Kiwi coach Graham Lowe and the Tainui
Tainui
Tainui is a tribal waka confederation of New Zealand Māori iwi. The Tainui confederation comprises four principal related Māori iwi of the central North Island of New Zealand: Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa and Waikato...
tribe. The club again disappointed on field, but a mid season ultimatum saw a strong finish to the season, with the side winning five of their last six games. The signs appeared promising for the new millennium.
Financial Collapse and Reinvention – 2000
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th (of 14) | 24 | 8 | 2 | 16 | – | 426 | 662 | −236 |
In National Rugby League season 2000
National Rugby League season 2000
The 2000 NRL season was the 93rd season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the third to be run by the National Rugby League...
the Warriors could only finish second last. This season included the Warriors' largest ever loss, 54–0 to the Dragons in Wollongong. Alarmingly, the problems off-field overshadowed the on-field problems. The majority shareholders were under intense financial pressure, and the club's future was looking bleak at best. The key assets of the club were purchased by business tycoon Eric Watson. This did not include player contracts, and many players were released and had to fight to get the money they had been promised. Ultimately only 10 players from the 2000 season were retained.
The club was re-branded as the New Zealand Warriors, with new colours of black and grey – resembling the national sporting colours. New coach Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson (rugby league)
Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:...
and CEO Mick Watson
Mick Watson
Mick Watson is an Australian businessman and the current director of sports at Rangitoto College.-Early life :Watson attended Parramatta Marist High School in Sydney's western suburbs, representing the school in cricket, rugby league, athletics and swimming.Between 1986 and 1992, Watson was...
focused on signing unknown New Zealand talent. There were only six Australians in the 2001 squad, and only three foundation players – Monty Betham, Stacey Jones and Logan Swann.
First Finals Series – 2001
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th (of 14) | 26 | 12 | 2 | 12 | – | 638 | 629 | +9 |
In a season where the rebranded New Zealand Warriors were tipped to finish in second-last place behind the North Queensland Cowboys, the team surprised all, qualifying for their first ever finals appearance in the National Rugby League season 2001
National Rugby League season 2001
The 2001 NRL season was the 94th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fourth run by the National Rugby League. The Newcastle Knights claimed their second premiership in five seasons, defeating minor premiers Parramatta Eels in the first ever night-time grand...
.
The Warriors were involved in Round 8 in one of the biggest near-comebacks in the history of the NRL. Down 24–8 to the Bulldogs with under six minutes remaining, the Warriors rattled off three tries in as many sets, only failing to win the match as ironically Stacey Jones missed his easiest kick of the night in the final minute.
After a mid season struggle, the Warriors upset the runaway minor premiers Parramatta 29–18 at home, in what was a highlight match.
Then, with their season on the line, the team won four matches in a row, starting with impressive 34–8, 30–0, and 14–8 home victories over fellow finals-bound teams the Bulldogs, Sharks and Roosters. The Warriors also scored 24 unanswered points in the final quarter to beat the Panthers 48–32. Their first finals appearance was sealed with a bruising 24–24 draw with the Storm at Colonial Stadium (now Telstra Dome), but the effects of this bruising match was seen a week later, as the Warriors were beaten by 30–18 at home by the Cowboys, a win that saw the North Queenslanders avoiding the wooden spoon.
On a hiding to nothing heading into their first ever finals appearance, they were hammered by the Minor Premiers, the Parramatta Eels 56–12. The loss was at the time the largest in finals series history, but at last things seemed to be going in the right direction at the Warriors.
Minor Premiership and Grand Final – 2002
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (of 15) | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 688 | 454 | +234 |
The Warriors reached their zenith to date in the National Rugby League season 2002
National Rugby League season 2002
The 2002 NRL season was the 95th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fifth to be run by the National Rugby League...
. They won the Minor Premiership
Minor premiership
A minor premiership is the name of the title given to the team which finishes a sporting competition first in the league standings after the regular season but prior to commencement of the playoffs....
, finishing in first place at the conclusion of the regular season after the Bulldogs lost 37 competition points late in the season due to severe salary cap breaches. The club played what stands as the first finals match to have been held outside Australia at Mt Smart Stadium in the first week of the Finals Series. The Warriors would defeat their bogey side Canberra 36–20 after surviving an early scare.
For the Preliminary Final against the Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
the Warriors' sponsors, such as Vodafone New Zealand
Vodafone New Zealand
Vodafone New Zealand is a British owned telecommunications company, a subsidiary of Vodafone Plc operating in New Zealand. It is New Zealand's largest mobile phone operator, based in Auckland, New Zealand and was formed in 1998, after Vodafone purchased BellSouth's New Zealand operations...
and Eric Watson, purchased 15,000 tickets and gave them away for free to anyone with a New Zealand passport. Reportedly, in the 45,000 crowd there were more Warriors supporters than Sharks supporters – astonishing considering the Sharks are a Sydney based club. The Warriors went on to win 16–10 with John Carlaw scoring a famous try after latching onto a pinpoint Stacey Jones grubber-kick.
The Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
was a tight match for the first hour. The Warriors trailed 2–6 at half time, but took a lead just after halftime when Jones scored a great grand final try – as he left defenders sprawling in his wake on a 40 metre run to the try line. The Roosters ran away with the match in the final 20 minutes after captain Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
was involved in a head clash with Warriors prop Richard Villasanti
Richard Villasanti
Richard Villasanti is an Australian former professional rugby league player. Villasanti previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Wests Tigers, the Balmain Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition and also for Australia...
. The final score was an unflattering 8–30.
Top Eight Again – 2003
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (of 15) | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 545 | 510 | +35 |
2003
National Rugby League season 2003
The 2003 NRL premiership was the 96th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the sixth run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen teams competed, with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles returning in place of their failed joint-venture club, the Northern Eagles...
was another quite successful year for the Warriors.
After blowing an early 16–0 lead to lose 26–36 to the Newcastle Knights in Round 1, the Warriors embarked on a five-match winning streak to announce themselves as contenders for the season. However, the Warriors then struggled through the middle-stages of the season, squandering a 26–12 lead with eight minutes remaining to lose to the Parramatta Eels dramatically 28–26 at Parramaata Stadium. There was also an insipid 10–30 loss in Townsville to the North Queensland. They played their first ever extra time match, defeating South Sydney 31–30, recovering from a 6–24 deficit.
On the back of inspired play by prop Richard Vilisanti, the Warriors secured their playoff spot, ultimately finishing sixth on points differential, a dangerous position to finish, as the 6th placed finishers had been eliminated after the first week of the playoffs in the past three seasons.
Their first finals match was against the Bulldogs at the Sydney Showground. The Warriors turned on one of their finest performances ever, stunning the Bulldogs early to lead 16–4 at halftime, and after a Bulldogs comeback tied the scores at 16-all, scoring five tries in 16 minutes to blow the Bulldogs away, eventually winning 48–22. Winger Francis Meli
Francis Meli
Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing....
scored five tries, a finals record. This prompted Graham Lowe, a known critic of the Warriors to say that the Warriors would win the premiership. The next week a Stacey Jones field-goal in the dying minutes got the Warriors past a gallant Canberra Raiders 17–16. They however lost in the Preliminary Final to the Minor Premiers and eventual Premiers Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
, 20–28. It was a disappointing loss for the Warriors, who did not lead at any point of the match, and blew their chance early in the second-half to take their first lead, when Henry Fa'afili lost the ball with the line wide open.
The Worst Year Ever – 2004
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14th (of 15) | 24 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 427 | 693 | −266 |
Before the National Rugby League season 2004
National Rugby League season 2004
The year 2004 NRL season was the 97th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen clubs competed for the Telstra Premiership...
started, there were predictions of the Warriors having a highly successful season. These were proved wrong, as the Warriors managed to only win six games to finish equal last, only escaping the wooden spoon by having a superior points differential to South Sydney. Coach Daniel Anderson resigned mid-season after an embarrassing 52 point loss to the Sydney Roosters. His assistant Tony Kemp
Tony Kemp
Tony Kemp is a former New Zealand rugby league test representative and former coach of the New Zealand Warriors. He currently is a commentator for Māori Televisions coverage of the Auckland Rugby League competition and also serves on the NZRL Board.-Early years:Kemp was born in Whangarei but...
was given the head coach position, and in his first game in charge the Warriors recorded an emotional 20–14 win over Canberra. A week later, the Warriors' first match in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
since 1996 was a flop, as the Warriors were destroyed by the Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
4–50. The season finished with an embarrassing six game losing streak.
The management looked to rescue a poor year with some high profile signings. Bulldogs captain Steve Price was signed, as was Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki
Ruben Wiki
Ruben Wiki, ONZM is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative centre-turned-prop forward, he retired with the record for most number of international appearances of any rugby league player in history...
, Cowboys half Nathan Fien and Roosters winger Todd Byrne
Todd Byrne
Todd Byrne is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Hull in the Super League competition...
.
The Rebuilding Begins – 2005
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th (of 15) | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 515 | 523 | −13 |
2005
National Rugby League season 2005
The 2005 NRL season was the 98th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the eighth run by the National Rugby League. The lineup of clubs remained unchanged from the previous year, with fifteen clubs contesting the 2005 Telstra Premiership, which culminated in a grand final...
was an improvement over the horror scenes of 2004. The team remained competitive for all of their matches, and their largest loss was only 18 points. The team had a good chance to make the finals, however a four match losing streak late in the season removed those chances. The season was tinged with sadness, as it was announced it would be star halfback Stacey Jones' last season with the club before he would join French Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club, Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
. His last match for the team against Manly at Brookvale Oval
Brookvale Oval
Brookvale Oval is a sporting ground located within Brookvale Park at Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia. The ground is owned by Warringah Council and is primarily used by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league team...
was a fine way for him to sign off with the club as he scored the match-winning try with three minutes to go in a 22–20 victory.
At the end of the season the structure of the team was reviewed. CEO Mick Watson
Mick Watson
Mick Watson is an Australian businessman and the current director of sports at Rangitoto College.-Early life :Watson attended Parramatta Marist High School in Sydney's western suburbs, representing the school in cricket, rugby league, athletics and swimming.Between 1986 and 1992, Watson was...
resigned and was replaced by Wayne Scurrah. Tony Kemp was sacked as coach and his assistant Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary
Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success...
replaced him as head coach.
The Salary Cap Drama – 2006
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (of 15) | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 552 | 463 | +89 |
National Rugby League season 2006
National Rugby League season 2006
The 2006 NRL season was the 99th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the ninth run by the National Rugby League. The lineup of teams remained unchanged from the previous year, with fifteen clubs competing for the 2006 Telstra Premiership...
got off to a bad start for the club. In February, the Warriors were found to have committed major breaches of the salary cap in 2005. This followed the high profile signings of Steve Price and Ruben Wiki. On 27 February the NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
announced the club would be deducted four competition points and the club would also be fined A$430,000.
Even before the penalty the Warriors were expected to struggle and were being picked as wooden spooners in some quarters. With the four point deduction, the Warriors won their first NRL game away from Auckland, with a 26–10 victory over the reigning premiers, the Wests Tigers, at Jade Stadium
Jade Stadium
Lancaster Park, formerly Jade Stadium and currently known as AMI Stadium through sponsorship rights, is a sports stadium situated in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand....
in Christchurch.
On 25 June the Warriors recorded their largest ever win, defeating South Sydney 66–0 at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
, as part of a four-match winning streak that claimed the scalps of the Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights, and also the Penrith Panthers. This streak was ended in a 18–22 golden-point loss to the Bulldogs, in a game where the Warriors surrendered an early 16–0 lead.
The Warriors finished the season on a positive note leaving room for optimism for 2007 and beyond. They caused arguably the upset of the season, defeating the Minor Premiers Melbourne
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
24–20 at Olympic Park Stadium
Olympic Park Stadium
Olympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
in Melbourne, preventing the Storm from going the full regular season unbeaten at home.
Impressively, it took the Warriors 24 weeks to be completely out of finals contention. The Warriors finished winning eight of their final twelve games, including a 42–16 thrashing of the Roosters in Round 25, which included four tries by Jerome Ropati. Had the Warriors not suffered the four-point deduction, they would have finished in eighth place on the ladder, and hence would have taken part in the finals series. As it was, they finished tenth on the ladder.
There were a number of revelations in the squad. Unheralded halfback Grant Rovelli
Grant Rovelli
Grant Rovelli is an Australian rugby league player. From 2006 to 2010 he played in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors and the North Queensland Cowboys. He is of Italian descent and has represented Italy's national rugby league team...
was a standout performer. Winger Patrick Ah Van
Patrick Ah Van
Patrick Ah Van is a professional rugby league player who currently plays in the Super League for the Bradford Bulls...
has cemented a first grade spot and impressed many with his performances, while George Gatis
George Gatis
George Gatis is a professional rugby league player who has played in the National Rugby League and Super League competitions. His position of choice is at hooker.-North Queensland:...
and Nathan Fien were fine performers at hooker, and centre Simon Mannering
Simon Mannering
Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition...
has been one of the Warriors most impressive backs.
Return to the Finals – 2007New Zealand Warriors 2007The New Zealand Warriors 2007 season was the New Zealand Warriors 13th first-grade season. The club competed in Australasia's National Rugby League...
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th (of 16) | 24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 593 | 434 | +159 |
The Warriors completed their pre-season with two wins from three games, defeating the Auckland Lions
Auckland Lions
The Auckland Lions were a rugby league club that had teams in both the New Zealand Bartercard Cup and the NSWRL Premier League. They were mostly based around the Mt Albert Lions Rugby League club...
64–4, losing to the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
32–14 and defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
36–6.
The Warriors finished the 2007 season
National Rugby League season 2007
The 2007 NRL season was the one hundredth season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the tenth run by the National Rugby League...
in fourth place. The season began with a 34–18 victory over Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium. The following week the side created history by winning their first two games of the season with a 24–14 victory over premiers, the Brisbane Broncos – the first time they have ever won their opening two games of the season.
After a good start which saw the team sitting in fourth place with a 4–2 win-loss record, the team hit a period of indifferent form, falling into a six match losing streak following a last minute win over South Sydney. The team returned to form, defeating Cronulla 12–2 in wild weather at Toyota Park. Following that victory the side won 9 out of 12 games, with one draw. The Warriors clinched a playoff spot with a 36–14 win over an understrength Manly side, and claimed a home final the following week, defeating the Penrith Panthers 24–20 at CUA Stadium in Round 25.
The Warriors, by virtue of finishing the regular season in fourth place, won the right to host one of the finals matches in the first week of the playoffs. However, the Warriors narrowly went down to the Parramatta Eels 12–10 at Mount Smart Stadium, and their season ended with an awful 12–49 loss to the Cowboys in Townsville.
On 30 May the Warriors signed Australian Kangaroos' centre, Brent Tate
Brent Tate
Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League...
from 2008 to 2010 in what was described as a "major coup" for the New Zealand club.
Second-Half Revival – 2008
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th (of 16) | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 502 | 567 | −65 |
The 2008 season did not start as brightly for the club, losing Wade McKinnon for much of the year during a pre-season loss to Newcastle, and losing captain Steve Price for ten weeks, as well as injuries to other key players Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati and Michael Witt. The team remained in contention for much of the season, however often performed very poorly away from Mt Smart Stadium, and suffered their first loss to South Sydney (28–35) since 1999, and went on to lose to the Rabbitohs again later in the season (16–18). Despite poor results away, strong home form and a now common revival in the second half of the season saw the Warriors make the top eight for the second season running, incredibly despite spending only three weeks in the top eight all season. A top-eight berth was secured in the last game of the season, when the Warriors defeated the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
28–6 at Parramatta Stadium, marking the first time since 1995 that the Warriors had won away to Parramatta.
With nothing to lose in the first week of the finals, the Warriors caused arguably the greatest finals upset ever, and arguably greatest victory in the history of the club, defeating Melbourne 18–15 at Olympic Park; in doing so, they became the first 8th placed team to beat the minor premiers, with Michael Witt scoring two minutes from fulltime to clinch the win. Witt taunted Melbourne captain, Cameron Smith, before placing the ball for the historic victory.
In week two of the playoffs, the Warriors came from behind to defeat the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
30–13 at Mt. Smart Stadium. The Roosters led 13–6 at halftime before a second-half comeback saw the Warriors pile on twenty-four unanswered points to earn the Warriors a place in the preliminary finals. This was the first time since 2003 that the Warriors have reached the grand final qualifier, and third overall in 14 seasons. They however went down heavily to an inspired Manly Sea Eagles 32–6.
A Season of Disappointment – 2009
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14th (of 16) | 24 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 377 | 515 | −188 |
2009 started with the loss of young up-and-comer Sonny Fai
Sonny Fai
Sonny Fai was a professional rugby league player who played for the New Zealand Warriors.-Early years:...
, who tragically drowned at Bethels Beach, near Auckland. He had gone into dangerous surf to rescue some relatives but was probably sucked under by a rip. Almost as if using the occurrence as a inhibitor, the Warriors had a very disappointing year, despite winning the opening two rounds against eventual grand finalists Parramatta Eels 26–18 and reigning premiers Manly Sea Eagles.
After those great wins they proceeded to win a poor 1 of 8 games including a draw.
They did however manage to beat West Tigers 14–0 and the Knights 13–0 keeping both opponents scoreless, but it was the poor attacking that had every league fan questioning. and ultimately saw them lose their next 3 matches by heavy scores. They did beat the Roosters 30–24 at SFS and Raiders 34–20 at Mt Smart Stadium. But in the end the Warriors lost their final two games against the Bulldogs in Hazem El Masri's last home game [before finals] and ultimately ended their poor season in a bad way losing 0–30 to the eventual premiers Melbourne Storm.
Return to finals football – 2010
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th (of 16) | 23 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 513 | 474 | +39 |
Expectations were not high for the Warriors in 2010 after a disappointing 2009 season. The Warriors bolstered their playing stocks in the pivotal play-making positions by signing badboy Brett Seymour
Brett Seymour
Brett Seymour is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Hull FC in the English Super League...
after he was cut by Cronulla and James Maloney
James Maloney
James Maloney is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.- Playing career :...
from Melbourne. In arguably one of their best ever performances they humbled the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
48–16 at Suncorp Stadium in Round 3, with Maloney tying a club-record with 28 points (3 tries and 8 goals). Kevin Locke scored a hat-trick in the Warriors miraculous 20–18 win over the Sydney Roosters at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, narrowly escaping a serious hip injury after a high-speed collision with the goal-post (in the process of scoring the game-winning try). The Warriors won five matches in a row for first time since late in the 2003 season and finished in 5th position in the regular season. Sadly getting out of the final series in the first week after losing to Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
.
Another Grand Final but the title eludes them – 2011
| Position | Pld | Won | Drew | Lost | Bye | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (of 16) | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 504 | 393 | +111 |
The Warriors began the 2011 season with an historic match Auckland's Eden Park
Eden Park
Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
, the first regular season home game the club had played away from Mt Smart Stadium. The match drew a record home game crowd for the Warriors of 38,405 however unfortunately the Warriors could not repay the large crowd with a victory as they were beaten 24-18 by the Parramatta Eels. The Warriors went on to lose their following two matches and it appeared that Warriors fans were in for another season of disappointment. To their credit the Warriors bounced back and were in the running for a top four position late in the season but finished in 6th spot. Midway through the season coach Ivan Cleary was approached by the Penrith Panthers and was appointed as their coach for the 2012 season. Cleary remained coach for the remainder of the 2011 season with Brian McClennan appointed his successor for 2012. One of the highlights of the season was the unearthing of young halfback Shaun Johnson who played a key role as the Warriors approached the 2011 finals series.
In week one of the finals series the Warriors were thrashed 40-10 by the Brisbane Broncos. Other results went the Warriors way and they were fortunate to progress to week two of the finals where they would meet a highflying Wests Tigers who had completed their 9th straight victory. The match was expected to go the Tigers way however a brilliant second half comeback by the Warriors culminated in a late and controversial try to Krisnan Inu which saw the Warriors win 22-20 and earn the right to play the Melbourne Storm for a place in the Grand Final.
The Warriors travelled to Melbourne as heavy underdogs but turned in what is considered one of the most complete performances in the clubs history. The Warriors controlled the match and sealed the Melbourne Storm's fate with Shaun Johnson mesmerising the Storm defence to send Lewis Brown in for the try that would send the Warriors to their second ever Grand Final, where they would meet the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Warriors would again start the match as heavy underdogs and with a side boasting only three players who had previously played in a Grand Final. But for a few moments of bad luck and some mistimed errors when it mattered most, the Warriors could well have celebrated their maiden premiership in 2011. In the end they fell just short – beaten by a rampant Manly outfit 24-10 in the decider – yet the Warriors’ effort in reaching just their second ever grand final (and their first in nine years) was a triumph for the club and departing coach Ivan Cleary.
Season summaries
| Competition | Games Played | Games Won | Games Drawn | Games Lost | Ladder Position | |R | |F | |Captain | Details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 10 / 20 | John Monie John Monie is a former professional rugby league coach and player. He is probably best known for his coaching career where he won premierships in both Australia and England.-Playing career:... |
Dean Bell Dean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a... |
||||||
| |
21 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 11 / 20 | Greg Alexander Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country... |
|
||||||
| |
18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 7 / 10 | Frank Endacott Frank Morris Endacott, ONZM is a retired rugby league player and coach from New Zealand. His son, Shane, also played rugby league.-Playing career:Endacott played for Addington and Hornby in the Canterbury Rugby League competition... |
Matthew Ridge Matthew John Ridge is a New Zealand television presenter as well as a former All Black, and rugby league captain for the Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis.... |
||||||
| |
24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 15 / 20 | |
|||||||
| |
24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 11 / 17 | rowspan="2" > Mark Graham (rugby league) Mark Kerry Graham is a New Zealand retired rugby league footballer and coach. A back-rower and former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team, he has been named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.-Playing career:An Otahahu junior, Graham... |
|
||||||
| |
26 | 8 | 2 | 16 | 13 / 14 | John Simon (rugby league) John "Jack" Simon is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His club career was spent with the Illawarra Steelers, Easts, Parramatta, Auckland and Wests Tigers. Simon also represented for Australia and for New South Wales in Origin... |
|||||||
| |
26 (1) | 12 (0) | 2 (0) | 12 (1) | 8 / 14 | |
Daniel Anderson (rugby league) Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:... |
rowspan="2" > Kevin Campion Kevin Campion is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His positions of choice were in the second row and at lock. Kevin is the younger brother of Australian radio personality Paul Campion... /Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
|||||
| |
24 (3) | 17 (2) | 0 (0) | 7 (1) | 1 / 15 | |
|
|
|
||||
| |
24 (3) | 15 (2) | 0 (0) | 9 (1) | 6 / 15 | |
Monty Betham Monty Betham is a professional boxer and former rugby league footballer and junior world karate champion... |
||||||
| |
24 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 14 / 15 | Tony Kemp Tony Kemp is a former New Zealand rugby league test representative and former coach of the New Zealand Warriors. He currently is a commentator for Māori Televisions coverage of the Auckland Rugby League competition and also serves on the NZRL Board.-Early years:Kemp was born in Whangarei but... |
|||||||
| |
24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 11 / 15 | |
|||||||
| |
24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 10 / 15 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
|||||||
| |
24 (2) | 13 (0) | 1 (0) | 10 (2) | 4 / 16 | |
New Zealand Warriors 2007 The New Zealand Warriors 2007 season was the New Zealand Warriors 13th first-grade season. The club competed in Australasia's National Rugby League... |
||||||
| |
24 (3) | 13 (2) | 0 (0) | 11 (1) | 8 / 16 | |
|||||||
| |
24 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 14 / 16 | ||||||||
| 2010 NRL season The 2010 NRL season was the 103rd season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the thirteenth run by the National Rugby League. The season commenced on 12 March and ended with the Grand Final, played on 3 October at ANZ Stadium... |
24 (1) | 14 (0) | 0 (0) | 10 (1) | 5 / 16 | |
Simon Mannering Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition... |
||||||
| 2011 NRL season The 2011 NRL season was the 105th season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the fourteenth run by the National Rugby League. The NRL's main championship, called the 2011 Telstra Premiership due to sponsorship from Telstra, was contested by sixteen teams for the... |
24 (3) | 14(2) | 0 | 10 (1) | 6 / 16 | |
|
|
|||||
| 2012 NRL season The 2012 NRL season will be the 106th season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the fifteenth run by the National Rugby League. The NRL will be contested by sixteen teams for the sixth consecutive year... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 / 16 | Brian McClennan Brian "Bluey" McClennan is the head coach for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League . He was previously the head coach of the New Zealand national team and then England's Leeds Rhinos club... |
2012 NRL Squad
2012 Toyota Cup Squad
2013 Gains
| Player | Previous Club | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Leuluai Thomas Leuluai Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. His position is at half-back... |
Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
2013-2015 |
2013 Losses
| Player | Club | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Maloney James Maloney James Maloney is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.- Playing career :... |
Sydney Roosters | 2013-15 |
Captains
| Years | Captain |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Dean Bell Dean Bell Dean Bell is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup finals, a Lance Todd Trophy and a... |
| 1996 | Greg Alexander Greg Alexander Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country... |
| 1997–1999 | Matthew Ridge Matthew Ridge Matthew John Ridge is a New Zealand television presenter as well as a former All Black, and rugby league captain for the Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis.... |
| 2000 | John Simon John Simon (rugby league) John "Jack" Simon is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His club career was spent with the Illawarra Steelers, Easts, Parramatta, Auckland and Wests Tigers. Simon also represented for Australia and for New South Wales in Origin... |
| 2001–2002 | Kevin Campion Kevin Campion Kevin Campion is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His positions of choice were in the second row and at lock. Kevin is the younger brother of Australian radio personality Paul Campion... /Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
| 2002–2004 | Monty Betham Monty Betham Monty Betham is a professional boxer and former rugby league footballer and junior world karate champion... |
| 2005–2009 | Steve Price |
| 2010–present | Simon Mannering Simon Mannering Simon Alexander Mannering is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition... |
Coaches
1995–2011| Coach | Tenure | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | Winning Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Monie John Monie John Monie is a former professional rugby league coach and player. He is probably best known for his coaching career where he won premierships in both Australia and England.-Playing career:... |
1995–1997 (sacked mid-season) | 52 | 26 | 0 | 26 | 50.00% |
| Frank Endacott Frank Endacott Frank Morris Endacott, ONZM is a retired rugby league player and coach from New Zealand. His son, Shane, also played rugby league.-Playing career:Endacott played for Addington and Hornby in the Canterbury Rugby League competition... |
1997–1998 | 33 | 13 | 0 | 20 | 39.39% |
| Mark Graham Mark Graham (rugby league) Mark Kerry Graham is a New Zealand retired rugby league footballer and coach. A back-rower and former captain of the New Zealand national rugby league team, he has been named as the greatest player the country has produced in the century from 1907 to 2006.-Playing career:An Otahahu junior, Graham... |
1999–2000 | 50 | 18 | 2 | 30 | 36.00% |
| Daniel Anderson Daniel Anderson (rugby league) Daniel Anderson is an Australian rugby league football coach. Anderson previously coached in Australia, New Zealand and England and is particularly noted for his work with the development of younger players.-Early years:... |
2001–2004 (resigned mid-season) | 92 | 51 | 2 | 39 | 55.43% |
| Tony Kemp Tony Kemp Tony Kemp is a former New Zealand rugby league test representative and former coach of the New Zealand Warriors. He currently is a commentator for Māori Televisions coverage of the Auckland Rugby League competition and also serves on the NZRL Board.-Early years:Kemp was born in Whangarei but... |
2004–2005 | 37 | 13 | 0 | 24 | 35.14% |
| Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
2006–2011 | 137 | 68 | 3 | 66 | 49.63% |
| Brian McClennan Brian McClennan Brian "Bluey" McClennan is the head coach for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League . He was previously the head coach of the New Zealand national team and then England's Leeds Rhinos club... |
2012– | - | - | - | - | - |
Individual Records
List of New Zealand Warriors records* indicates player still active.
1995–2010
Most Games
| Games | Player | Career |
|---|---|---|
| 261 | Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
1995–2005, 2009 |
| 195 | Logan Swann Logan Swann Logan Swann is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. Swann is related to several other rugby league players, notably cousins Willie and Anthony.-Early years:... |
1997–2008 |
| 174* | Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:... |
2002– |
| 170 | Awen Guttenbiel | 1996–2006 |
| 159 | Wairangi Koopu Wairangi Koopu Wairangi Koopu is a professional rugby league player for the Pt Chev Pirates in New Zealand. Koopu primarily plays in the second row, although he also can play in the centres.-Early years:... |
1999–2008 |
Most Tries
| Tries | Player | Career |
|---|---|---|
| 87* | Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008... |
2004– |
| 77 | Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
1995–2005, 2009 |
| 60 | Francis Meli Francis Meli Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing.... |
1999–2005 |
| 57 | Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi is a professional rugby footballer who is currently playing for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. His usual position is centre.-Playing career:... |
1999–2006 |
| 53* | Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:... |
2002– |
| 47* | Jerome Ropati Jerome Ropati Jerome Ropati is a professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. Ropati was a member of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team in 2008... |
2003– |
Most Tries in a Season
| Tries | Player | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Francis Meli Francis Meli Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing.... |
2003 (Including Finals) |
| 20 | Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008... |
2010 (Regular Season Record + 1 Final) |
| 19 | Sean Hoppe Sean Hoppe Sean Edward Hoppe is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country.-Early years:... |
1995 (Regular Season Record) |
| 18 | Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi is a professional rugby footballer who is currently playing for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. His usual position is centre.-Playing career:... |
2002 |
| 17 | Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi Clinton Toopi is a professional rugby footballer who is currently playing for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. His usual position is centre.-Playing career:... |
2003 |
| 16 | Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008... |
2008 |
Most Points
| Points | Player | Career |
|---|---|---|
| 674 | Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
1995–2005, 2009 |
| 439 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
2000–2002 |
| 348* | Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league player for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008... |
2004– |
| 341* | Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:... |
2002– |
| 291 | Michael Witt Michael Witt Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League... |
2007–2008 |
| 283 | Gene Ngamu Gene Ngamu Gene Robert Ngamu is a New Zealand former rugby league player. He played mainly at Halfback or Five Eighth and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones in the Auckland Warriors and New Zealand Kiwis.-Early years:... |
1995–1999 |
| 277* | James Maloney James Maloney James Maloney is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.- Playing career :... |
2010- |
Most Points in a Season
| Points | Player | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 242 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
2002 |
| 188 | James Maloney James Maloney James Maloney is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.- Playing career :... |
2010 |
| 173 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
2001 |
| 160 | Tony Martin | 2006 |
| 153 | Michael Witt Michael Witt Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League... |
2007 |
| 147 | Stacey Jones Stacey Jones Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield... |
2005 |
| 138 | Michael Witt Michael Witt Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League... |
2008 |
Most Points in a Match
| Points | Player | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Gene Ngamu Gene Ngamu Gene Robert Ngamu is a New Zealand former rugby league player. He played mainly at Halfback or Five Eighth and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones in the Auckland Warriors and New Zealand Kiwis.-Early years:... |
3 tries, 8 goals vs North Queensland, 1996 (Won 52–6) |
| 28 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
1 try, 12 goals vs Northern Eagles, 2002 (Won 68–10) |
| 28 | James Maloney James Maloney James Maloney is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.- Playing career :... |
3 tries, 8 goals vs Brisbane Broncos, 2010 (Won 48–16) |
| 22 | Tony Martin | 1 try, 9 goals vs South Sydney, 2006 (Won 46–14) |
| 20 | Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary Ivan Cleary is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League and former head coach of the New Zealand Warriors where he achieved much success... |
1 try, 8 goals vs North Queensland, 2002 (Won 50–20) |
| 20 | Francis Meli Francis Meli Francis Meli is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for St. Helens in the Super League competition. Meli has represented both New Zealand and Samoa in internationals. His usual position is on the wing.... |
5 tries vs Canterbury Bulldogs, 2003 (Won 48–22) |
| 20 | Michael Witt Michael Witt Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League... |
2 tries, 6 goals vs Penrith Panthers, 2007 (Won 54–14) |
Biggest Wins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 66–0 | South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
Telstra Stadium Telstra Stadium Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay... |
2006 |
| 58 | 68–10 | Northern Eagles Northern Eagles The Northern Eagles were a rugby league team, that competed in the National Rugby League between 2000 and 2002. The club was formed during the rationalisation process of the NRL by the merger of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2000... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2002 |
| 46 | 52–6 | North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland Cowboys The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
1996 |
| 44 | 60–16 | Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Western Suburbs is an association football club in Porirua, New Zealand. They play their home matches at Endeavour Park in the Porirua suburb of Whitby and compete in the Central Premier League.... |
Campbelltown Campbelltown Campbelltown can refer to:Places in Australia:*Towns/suburbs:**Campbelltown, New South Wales**Campbelltown, South Australia**Campbell Town, Tasmania*Government areas:**Electoral district of Campbelltown, state electoral district in New South Wales... |
1999 |
| 44 | 52–8 | Penrith Panthers Penrith Panthers The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2001 |
Biggest Losses
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 0–54 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | WIN Stadium WIN Stadium Wollongong Showground is a rectangular multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. From 1982 until 1998 it played host to every home match for the Illawarra Steelers NRL team... |
2000 |
| 52 | 6–58 | Sydney Roosters Sydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... |
Sydney Football Stadium | 2004 |
| 46 | 10–56 | Melbourne Storm Melbourne Storm The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria.... |
Olympic Park Stadium Olympic Park Stadium Olympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium... |
2000 |
| 46 | 6–52 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia... |
Brookvale Oval Brookvale Oval Brookvale Oval is a sporting ground located within Brookvale Park at Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia. The ground is owned by Warringah Council and is primarily used by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league team... |
2008 |
| 46 | 4–50 | Wests Tigers Wests Tigers The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs... |
Jade Stadium Jade Stadium Lancaster Park, formerly Jade Stadium and currently known as AMI Stadium through sponsorship rights, is a sports stadium situated in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand.... |
2004 |
Kept Opposition To Nil
| Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66–0 | South Sydney Rabbitohs South Sydney Rabbitohs The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital... |
Telstra Stadium Telstra Stadium Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay... |
2006 |
| 42–0 | Newcastle Knights Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
1999 |
| 30–0 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2001 |
| 26–0 | North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland Cowboys The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2006 |
| 14–0 | Wests Tigers Wests Tigers The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2009 |
| 13–0 | Newcastle Knights Newcastle Knights The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2009 |
Kept To Nil
| Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–54 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | WIN Stadium WIN Stadium Wollongong Showground is a rectangular multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The stadium was officially opened in 1911. From 1982 until 1998 it played host to every home match for the Illawarra Steelers NRL team... |
2000 |
| 0–44 | Sydney Roosters Sydney Roosters The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League... |
Sydney Football Stadium | 2002 |
| 0–30 | Melbourne Storm Melbourne Storm The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria.... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
2009 |
| 0–24 | North Queensland Cowboys North Queensland Cowboys The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership... |
Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors... |
1999 |
Most Consecutive Wins
| Wins | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Round 7, 2002 | Round 14, 2002 |
Most Consecutive Losses
| Losses | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Round 17, 2000 | Round 23, 2000 |
| 7 | Round 20, 2004 | Round 1, 2005 |
Most Consecutive Home Wins
| Wins | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Round 18, 2008 | Round 1, 2009 |
Most Consecutive Away Wins
| Wins | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Round 8, 2002 | Round 16, 2002 |
Most Consecutive Home Losses
| Losses | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Round 24, 1998 | Round 9, 1999 |
Most Consecutive Away Losses
| Losses | First Round | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Round 5, 2009 | Round 17, 2009 |
Biggest Comeback
Recovered from a 20-point deficit.- Trailed Newcastle 20–0 after 39 minutes to win 30–26 at EnergyAustralia Stadium on 17 April 2005
Worst Collapse
Surrendered a 26-point lead.- Led Penrith 32–6 after 59 minutes to draw 32–32 at CUA Stadium on 1 August 2009
Surrendered a 16-point lead (twice).
- Led Newcastle 16–0 after 34 minutes to lose 36–26 at Mt Smart StadiumMt Smart StadiumMt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors...
on 16 March 2003 - Led Canterbury 16–0 after 21 minutes to lose 22–18 (in extra-time) at ANZ Stadium on 9 July 2006
Golden Point Record
Played 7: Won 2, Lost 3, Drawn 3- Won 31–30 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Round 16, 2003
- Lost 26–28 vs North Queensland Cowboys, Round 15, 2004
- Lost 29–30 vs Canberra Raiders, Round 20, 2004
- Lost 18–22 vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 18, 2006
- Draw 31–31 vs Sydney Roosters, Round 21, 2007
- Won 17–16 vs Sydney Roosters, Round 6, 2009
- Draw 14–14 vs Melbourne Storm, Round 7, 2009
- Draw 32–32 vs Penrith Panthers, Round 21, 2009
All Time Premiership Record 1995–2010
| Games | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win Percentage | Points For | Points Against | Points Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 399 | 182 | 201 | 7 | 46.67% | 8268 | 8652 | −384 |