1995 Auckland Warriors season

The 1995 Auckland Warriors season was the inaugural season of the newly-formed club. Competing the 1995 Australian Rugby League premiership, they were coached by John Monie and captained by Dean Bell. The Warriors' home ground for their first season was Ericsson Stadium. They finished their first premiership regular season 10th (out of 20), so failed to make the finals.

1995 Auckland Warriors season
ARL Rank10th
1995 recordWins: 13; draws: 0; losses: 9
Points scoredFor: 538; against: 501
Team information
CEOIan Robson
CoachJohn Monie
Captains
StadiumEricsson Stadium
Avg. attendance26,450
Top scorers
TriesSean Hoppe (19)
GoalsGene Ngamu (36)
PointsGene Ngamu (84)
1996 >

Milestones

Jersey & Sponsors

The Warriors inaugural jersey was produced by Canterbury of New Zealand. The Jersey was blue with a Green, Red and White "V". In part, the colours were based on the traditional Auckland colours of Blue and White. The main sponsor was DB Bitter, with Ansett Australia as the sleeve sponsor. Asics, Coca-Cola and Mitsubishi also had sponsorship deals.

Fixtures

The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 1995, and it remained the only Home Ground the club used in the competition until they played a match at Eden Park in 2011.

Pre-Season

Three pre-season matches were played before the World Sevens and another three were played after the World Sevens.

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
18 JanuaryMatch 1 CanterburyAddington Showgrounds, ChristchurchWin26 - 1212,811[2]
JanuaryMatch 2Central DistrictsPalmerston North Showgrounds, Palmerston NorthWin36 - 16[3]
JanuaryMatch 3 AucklandCarlaw Park, AucklandWin46 - 20[3]
FebruaryMatch 4NorthlandKaikoheWin66 - 6[3]
14 FebruaryMatch 5 Canberra RaidersCarlaw Park, AucklandWin23 - 1616,000[3]
25 FebruaryMatch 6 Western RedsWest WyongLoss28 - 40[3]

World Sevens

The Warriors participated in the 1995 Rugby League World Sevens, losing in the Trophy Quarterfinals.

Squad: Phil Blake (c), Sean Hoppe, Manoa Thompson, Tea Ropati, Whetu Taewa, Gene Ngamu, Syd Eru, Stephen Kearney, Tony Tatupu, Des Maea.[4]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
3 FebruaryRound 1 Canberra RaidersSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneWin22 - 4Blake (2), Hoppe, NgamuNgamu (3)
3 FebruaryRound 2 New Zealand 'A'Suncorp Stadium, BrisbaneLoss10 - 26Eru, RopatiNgamu (1)
5 FebruaryTrophy
Quarterfinals
Sydney TigersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss12 - 16Ngamu (2)Ngamu (2)

Tooheys Challenge Cup

Team: Phil Blake (c), Sean Hoppe, Dean Bell, Manoa Thompson, Whetu Taewa, Martin Moana, Gene Ngamu, Gavin Hill, Duane Mann, Hitro Okesene, Stephen Kearney, Tony Tatupu, Tony Tuimavave. Bench: Tea Ropati, Se'e Solomona, Mike Dorreen, Jason Mackie.[5]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
19 FebruaryRound 1 North Sydney BearsParramatta Stadium, SydneyLoss14 - 12Taewa, NgamuHill (1), Ngamu (1)8211

Regular season

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
10 MarchRound 1 Brisbane BroncosEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss22 - 25Blake, Hoppe, Ropati, TatupuNgamu (3)29,220
18 MarchRound 2 Illawarra SteelersSteelers Stadium, WollongongLoss28 - 40Blake (2), Hoppe (2), RopatiNgamu (4)12,127
26 MarchRound 3 Western Suburbs MagpiesEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin*46 - 12Blake (4), Alexander, Kearney, Ngamu, RopatiNgamu (7)21,446
1 AprilRound 4 North Sydney BearsNorth Sydney Oval, SydneyLoss10 - 48Blake (2)Ngamu (1)14,683
7 AprilRound 5 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss14 - 26Hoppe (2), MoanaNgamu (1)30,112
16 AprilRound 6 Illawarra SteelersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin38 - 12Hoppe (2), Ropati, Alexander, Bell, Mann, TaewaNgamu (5)29,474
23 AprilRound 7 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin40 - 4Blake, Hoppe, Jones, Mann, Ngamu, Ropati, TatupuNgamu (4),
Alexander (1), Jones (1)
10,426
30 AprilRound 8 Sydney City RoostersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin26 - 22Bell (2), Mann, Ropati, TatupuNgamu (3)29,048
7 MayRound 9 Newcastle KnightsMarathon Stadium, NewcastleLoss6 - 48Blake, Hoppe, Ropati, TatupuNgamu (3)29,220
14 MayRound 10 Cronulla SharksCaltex Field, SydneyWin23 - 18Hoppe, Dorreen, Kirwan, OkeseneNgamu (1), Jones (FG)10,142
4 JuneRound 11 Sydney TigersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin36 - 12Hoppe (2), Betts (2) Jones, RopatiBotica (6)28,713
18 JuneRound 12 Penrith PanthersEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss16 - 34Blackmore (2), Okesene, Ropati24,723
25 JuneRound 13 Western Suburbs MagpiesCampbelltown SG, SydneyWin16 - 12Jones, Tuimavave, TatupuJones (2)10,700
1 JulyRound 14 South Sydney RabbitohsSFS, SydneyWin38 - 20Eru (2), Alexander, Betts, Botica, Edwards, TatupuBotica (5)6,954
9 JulyRound 15 Gold Coast SeagullsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin44 - 16Ropati (3), Alexander, Botica, Dorreen, Hoppe,
Kirwan
Botica (6)20,493
16 JulyRound 16 Western RedsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin34 - 10Alexander, Betts, Eru, Hoppe, Jones, RopatiJones (3), Botica (2)19,244
23 JulyRound 17 South Queensland CrushersSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneWin22 - 10Hoppe (2), Blake, BlackmoreJones (3)28,928
29 JulyRound 18 North Queensland CowboysStockland Stadium, TownsvilleWin28 - 10Alexander (2), Betts, Blackmore, Hoppe, KirwanNgamu (2)23,521
6 AugustRound 19 St George DragonsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss14 - 47Blackmore, Hoppe, JonesAlexander (1)28,973
11 AugustRound 20 Sydney BulldogsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin29 - 8Blake (2), Alexander, Kearney, PoachingAlexander (2), Hill (1),
Ngamu (1), Jones (FG)
10,416
18 AugustRound 21 Canberra RaidersEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss8 - 15HoppeNgamu (2)29,500
27 AugustRound 22 Brisbane BroncosANZ Stadium, BrisbaneLoss6 - 44NgamuNgamu (1)54,645

*The Warriors were stripped the 2 competition points from winning this game due to exceeding the replacement limit.

Ladder

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Manly 222002687248+43940
2 Canberra 222002634255+37940
3 Brisbane 221705600364+23634
4 Cronulla 221606516287+22932
5 Newcastle 221507549396+15330
6 Sydney Bulldogs 221408468352+11628
7 St. George 221309583382+20126
8 North Sydney 221129542331+21124
9 Sydney City 2212010466406+6024
10 Auckland 221309544493+5124*
11 Western Reds 2211011361549-18822
12 Illawarra 2210111519431+8821
13 Western Suburbs 2210012459534-7520
14 Penrith 229013481484-318
15 Sydney Tigers 227015309591-28214
16 South Queensland 226115303502-19913
17 Gold Coast 224117350628-2789
18 South Sydney 224117319686-3679
19 Parramatta 223019310690-3806
20 North Queensland 222020269660-3914

*Auckland Warriors were stripped of 2 competition points due to exceeding the replacement limit in one game.

Squad

Twenty Eight players were used by the club in 1995.

No.NameNationalityPositionWarriors DebutAppTGFGPts
1Dean BellNew ZealandCE / LK10 March1930012
2Phil BlakeAustraliaFB / HK10 March17140056
3Sean HoppeNew ZealandWG10 March22190076
4Manoa ThompsonFijiCE10 March70000
5Whetu TaewaNew ZealandCE10 March111004
6Gene NgamuNew ZealandFE10 March21336084
7Greg AlexanderAustraliaFB / HB10 March2184040
8Gavin HillNew ZealandPR10 March70102
9Duane MannNew Zealand / TongaHK10 March1330012
10Hitro OkeseneNew ZealandPR / HK10 March172008
11Stephen KearneyNew ZealandSR10 March202008
12Tony TatupuNew Zealand / SamoaSR10 March1650020
13Tony TuimavaveNew Zealand / SamoaPR / LK10 March211004
14Se'e SolomonaNew Zealand / SamoaPR10 March90000
15Tea RopatiNew Zealand / SamoaCE / FE10 March21120048
16Jason MackieNew ZealandLK10 March50000
17Martin MoanaNew ZealandLK / FE10 March61004
18Joe VaganaNew Zealand / SamoaPR18 March80000
19Syd EruNew ZealandHK28 March1530012
20Willie PochingNew Zealand / SamoaSR28 March21004
21Logan EdwardsNew ZealandSR / LK7 April151004
22John KirwanNew ZealandWG16 April1630012
23Andy PlattEnglandPR23 April140000
24Stacey JonesNew ZealandHB23 April1459240
25Mike DorreenNew ZealandCE7 May42008
26Richie BlackmoreNew ZealandCE14 May1050020
27Frano BoticaNew ZealandWG4 June5219046
28Denis BettsEnglandSR4 June1150020

Staff

  • Chairman: Peter McLeod
  • Chief executive Officer: Ian Robson
  • Football manager: Laurie Stubbing

Coaching staff

Other teams

The Warriors participated in the ARL's Reserve grade competition that mirrored the senior draw. The Reserve grade side made the top eight, finishing eighth, but lost to Penrith 8-14 in the Quarterfinals.[7]

In the Club Championship the Warriors finished seventh overall.

Warriors Colts

In addition a Warriors Colts side was fielded in NZRL's Lion Red Cup. The Warrior Colts made the grand final but lost to the North Harbour Sea Eagles.

North Harbour Position Auckland Colts
Quinten DaneFBNigel Vagana
Auvae TapuaiWGPaul Staladi
Paki TuimavaveCEStuart Lester
Jason KaulimaCEAnthony Swann
Steve BarryWGTacofe Kalauta
Aleki MaeaFEMeti Noovao (C)
Latham TawhaiHBWillie Swann
Donald Stewart (C)PRDallas Mead
Sean WilsonHKAaron Lester
Darren KohlhasePRDavid Fatialofa
Mike SetefanoSRBryan Henare
Keniti AsiataSRFrank Watene
Jason PalmadaLKLogan Swann
Frank FuimaonoBenchCharlie Kennedy
Cory JamiesonBenchDes Maea
Lafaelle FilipoBenchDruce Nilsen
Brent SnooksBenchSteve Buckingham
Graeme NortonCoachJohn Ackland

After trailing 15–2 at halftime the North Harbour Sea Eagles came from behind to defeat the Warrior Colts 28–21 in the second Lion Red Cup Grand Final.[8] The match included an eight-point try scored by Paki Tuimavave in the 48th minute. Tuimavave was tackled high by Aaron Lester while he was grounding the ball. Lester was then sin-binned for back chatting the referee after the incident.

TeamHalftimeTotal
North Harbour Sea Eagles228
Auckland Warriors Colts1521
Tries (North Harbour) 1: F. Fuimaono, S. Wilson, P. Tuimavave, J. Palmada
Tries (Auckland Colts) 1: N.Vagana, B.Henare, M.Noovao, W.Swann
Goals (North Harbour) 6: Q.Dane
Goals (Auckland Colts) 1: S.Buckingham, M.Noovao
Field Goals Goals (Auckland Colts) 1: M.Noovao
Date 16 September
Referee Dennis Hale
Venue Ericsson Stadium
Broadcast TVNZ

Awards

Tea Ropati won the club's Player of the Year award.[9]

Super League

The Auckland Warriors, along with seven other clubs, signed with News Limited to form a new competition in 1996, the Super League. Thirteen players signed with the new competition on 2 April 1995, after the Warriors' Round 4 loss to the North Sydney Bears, with coach John Monie having signed in late March. The club as a whole signed with News Limited on 20 April. This decision meant that Auckland Warriors players became ineligible for the New South Wales and Queensland State of Origin sides and the Australian Kangaroos. The New Zealand Rugby League and English Rugby Football League organisations had also signed with News Limited and so the majority of Warriors players were still eligible to represent their countries at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.

References

  1. ARL 1995 - Game 3 rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.218
  3. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.130
  4. Squads Sevens details Archived 20 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine The Vault
  5. Sydney Challenge Cup details Archived 1 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Vault
  6. Deane, Steve (18 June 2011). "Candidates line up for Cleary's job". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  7. Australian Competitions 1995 Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Vault
  8. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1995, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1995. p.75-84
  9. New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.50
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