2015 New Zealand Warriors season

The 2015 New Zealand Warriors season was the 21st in the club's history. Coached by Andrew McFadden and captained by Simon Mannering, the Warriors competed in the National Rugby League's 2015 Telstra Premiership. They also competed in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines tournament.

A special logo was used for the 2015 season.
2015 New Zealand Warriors season
Team information
CEOWayne Scurrah
CoachAndrew McFadden
Assistant coachTony Iro
Andrew Webster
Captain
StadiumMount Smart Stadium
Top scorers
TriesSolomone Kata (12)
GoalsShaun Johnson (48)
PointsShaun Johnson (130)
< 2014 2016 >

Milestones

Jersey and sponsors

In 2015 the Warriors jerseys were again made by Canterbury of New Zealand.

Fixtures
See also: List of New Zealand Warriors results

Pre-season training

The bulk of the Warriors' 2015 NRL squad began preseason training on 3 November 2014.[1]

Auckland Nines

The Warriors finished second in the Hunua pool at the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines before being eliminated by the Cronulla Sharks in the quarterfinals.

The squad for the Nines was Shaun Johnson (c), Matthew Allwood, Nathan Friend, Ben Henry, Ryan Hoffman, Solomone Kata, Ngani Laumape, Sam Lisone, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Ken Maumalo, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend and Manu Vatuvei. Simon Mannering, Dominique Peyroux, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Jonathan Wright were originally named in a 22-man training squad.[2]

Solomone Kata was named in the team of the tournament.

Team
 Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
Wests Tigers 32015032+184
New Zealand Warriors 32015841+174
Gold Coast Titans 31024856-82
Canberra Raiders 31024673-272
DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
31 JanuaryHunua 1 Gold Coast TitansEden Park, AucklandWin17–10Kata, Hoffman, LoloheaJohnson (2)43,000[3]
31 JanuaryHunua 2 Canberra RaidersEden Park, AucklandLoss19–23Johnson, Maumalo, Lolohea, AllwoodJohnson (1)43,000[4]
1 FebruaryHunua 3 Wests TigersEden Park, AucklandWin22–8Kata (2), Vatuvei, Lolohea, HenryJohnson (1)43,000[5]
1 FebruaryQuarter Final Cronulla SharksEden Park, AucklandLoss12–14Vatuvei, Kata, Laumape43,000[6]
Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final
         
Parramatta Eels 17
North Queensland Cowboys 11
Parramatta Eels 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs 37
South Sydney Rabbitohs 30
Newcastle Knights 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18
Cronulla Sharks 14
Wests Tigers 4
Sydney Roosters 22
Sydney Roosters 4
Cronulla Sharks 10
Cronulla Sharks 14
New Zealand Warriors 12

Pre-season matches

The Warriors were planning to host the St. George Illawarra Dragons at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, however the match was cancelled when the Dragons were invited to compete in the World Club Series. It would have been the first time the Warriors had played in Nelson.[7]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
7 FebruaryTrial 1Gold Coast TitansClive Berghofer Stadium, ToowoombaLoss12–22Peyroux, PeteruPewhairangi (2)6,827[8]
14 FebruaryTrial 2Penrith PanthersRotorua International Stadium, RotoruaWin18–4Maumalo (2), Niukore, JohnsonTownsend (1)9,000[9][10]
21 FebruaryTrial 3Warriors NSW CupBruce Pulman Park, PapakuraWin42–14Hurrell (2), Vatuvei, Tomkins, Friend, Kata, Mannering, JohnsonJohnson (5)2,000[11]

Regular season

All home matches were played at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, with the exception of the Round 22 match, which was played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. It was the third year in a row the Warriors took a match to Wellington, as part of the "Capital Clash".[12]

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
7 MarchRound 1Newcastle KnightsHunter Stadium, NewcastleLoss14–24Leuluai, HoffmanJohnson (3)16,146[13]
15 MarchRound 2Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium, CanberraWin18–6Vatuvei, Kata, HoffmanJohnson (3)8,241[14]
21 MarchRound 3Parramatta EelsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin29–16Kata (2), Hoffman, Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (4 & FG)14,112[15]
29 MarchRound 4Brisbane BroncosMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–24Townsend, Allwood, KataJohnson (2)14,670[16]
6 AprilRound 5Melbourne StormAAMI Park, MelbourneLoss14–30Vatuvei, Friend, IkahihifoJohnson (1)18,179[17]
11 AprilRound 6Wests TigersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin32–22Vatuvei (2), Townsend, Lolohea, Johnson,
Thompson		Johnson (4)13,781[18]
18 AprilRound 7North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium, TownsvilleLoss24–28Hurrell, Wright, Kata, VatuveiJohnson (4)16,038[19]
25 AprilRound 8Gold Coast TitansMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss28–32Fusitu'a, Matulino, Wright, Kata, ThompsonJohnson (4)15,102[20]
9 MayRound 9Cronulla SharksRemondis Stadium, SydneyWin20–16Wright, Vatuvei, Kata, JohnsonJohnson (2)13,988[21]
16 MayRound 10Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin17–13
(A.E.T.)		Kata, Johnson, ThompsonJohnson (2)
Townsend (FG)		11,152[22]
Round 11Bye
31 MayRound 12Newcastle KnightsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin24–20Lolohea, Vatuvei, Kata, Matulino, WrightJohnson (2)13,203[23]
6 JuneRound 13South Sydney RabbitohsNIB Stadium, PerthLoss4–36Vatuvei20,272[24]
13 JuneRound 14Sydney RoostersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss21–25Kata (2), Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (2 & FG)14,167[25]
20 JuneRound 15Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium, RobinaWin36–14Johnson (2), Friend, Faitala-Mariner,
Hurrell, Thompson		Johnson (6)14,132[26]
27 JuneRound 16Canberra RaidersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin30–8Lolohea (2), Thompson, Johnson, VatuveiJohnson (5)13,110[27]
Round 17Bye
12 JulyRound 18Melbourne StormMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin28–14Lolohea (2), Fusitua, Thompson, JohnsonJohnson (4)17,278[28]
19 JulyRound 19Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss0–2416,301[29]
25 JulyRound 20Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss12–32Johnson, VeteLolohea (2)15,812[30]
1 AugustRound 21Cronulla SharksMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss14–18Hurrell, ManneringLolohea (3)12,481[31]
8 AugustRound 22St. George Illawarra DragonsWestpac Stadium, WellingtonLoss0–3618,317[32]
15 AugustRound 23Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium, SydneyLoss10–24Tomkins, HurrellLolohea (1)6,774[33]
22 AugustRound 24North Queensland CowboysMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–50Lolohea, Maumalo, PeyrouxLolohea (2)14,412[34]
20 AugustRound 25Wests TigersCampbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyLoss16–50Allwood (2), VeteLolohea (2)6,700[35]
6 SeptemberRound 26Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, SydneyLoss22–26Lolohea (2), Friend, KataLolohea (2)14,821[36]

Ladder
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Sydney Roosters 2418062591300+29140
2 Brisbane Broncos 2417072574379+19538
3 North Queensland Cowboys (P) 2417072587454+13338
4 Melbourne Storm 24140102467348+11932
5 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24140102522480+4232
6 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24140102469476−732
7 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24130112465467−230
8 St. George Illawarra Dragons 24120122435408+2728
9 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24110132458492−3426
10 Canberra Raiders 24100142577569+824
11 Penrith Panthers 2490152399477−7822
12 Parramatta Eels 2490152448573−12522
13 New Zealand Warriors 2490152445588−14322
14 Gold Coast Titans 2490152439636−19722
15 Wests Tigers 2480162487562−7520
16 Newcastle Knights 2480162458612−15420

Squad
See also: List of New Zealand Warriors players
No.NamePositionWarriors DebutAppTGFGPts
105Thomas LeuluaiHB2 May 2003101004
115Manu VatuveiWG23 May 200416110044
125Simon ManneringSR26 June 2005241004
131Sam RapiraPR20 May 200640000
142Ben MatulinoPR14 June 2008212008
146Jacob LillymanPR14 March 2009210000
159Sione LousiSR14 March 201070000
163Glen FisiiahiFB12 March 201110000
168Shaun JohnsonHB4 June 2011188482130
171Ben HenrySR4 March 201240000
172Nathan FriendHK4 March 20122430012
173Konrad HurrellCE4 March 20121240016
176Sebastine IkahihifoLK28 July 201291004
180Ngani LaumapeWG24 March 201300000
181Suaia MatagiPR11 May 201310000
182Dominique PeyrouxCE3 June 201381004
183Charlie GubbPR7 July 201390000
185Sam TomkinsFB9 March 2014131004
186Chad TownsendHB9 March 2014222019
188John PalaviPR9 March 201400000
189David FusituaWG15 March 201432008
190Siliva HaviliHK13 April 201480000
192Tuimoala LoloheaHB27 July 2014231113070
193Solomone KataCE7 March 201524120048
194Bodene ThompsonSR7 March 20152160024
195Ryan HoffmanSR7 March 20151830012
196Sam LisonePR7 March 2015180000
197Albert VetePR7 March 2015212008
198Jonathan WrightWG15 March 20152040016
199Matt AllwoodCE29 March 2015330012
200Raymond Faitala-MarinerSR25 April 2015111004
201Ken MaumaloWG16 May 201581004
202Mason LinoHB22 August 201530000

Staff
  • Chief Executive Officer: Jim Doyle
  • General Manager: Don Mann Jr
  • General Manager Football Operations: Dean Bell
  • Medical Services Manager: John Mayhew
  • Welfare and Education Manager: Jerry Seuseu
  • Media and Communications Manager: Richard Becht

Coaching staff

Transfers

Gains
PlayerPrevious ClubLengthNotes
Ryan HoffmanMelbourne Storm3 years[41]
Matt AllwoodCanberra Raiders3 years[42]
Bodene ThompsonWests Tigers3 years[43]
Api PewhairangiParramatta Eels1 year[44]
Jonathan WrightCronulla Sharks1 year[45]

Losses
PlayerClubNotes
Jerome RopatiRetired[46]
Kevin LockeSalford Red Devils2014 Mid-season transfer[47]
Carlos TuimavaveNewcastle Knights[48]
Feleti MateoManly Sea Eagles[49]
Sam LousiNew South Wales Waratahs[50][51]
Jayson BukuyaCronulla-Sutherland Sharks[43]
Dane NielsenSt. George-Illawarra Dragons[52]
Agnatius PaasiGold Coast Titans[53]
Suaia MatagiSydney Roosters2015 Mid-season transfer[54]
Nathaniel PeteruGold Coast Titans2015 Mid-season transfer[55]
Api PewhairangiConnacht (RU)2015 Mid-season transfer[56]
Ngani LaumapeManawatu Turbos (RU)2015 Mid-season transfer[57]

Other teams

As in 2014, the Warriors entered a team into the NSW Cup and the Junior Warriors competed in the Holden Cup.

NSW Cup squad
See also: 2015 New South Wales Cup season

The Warriors NSW Cup side finished fourth in the regular season, however lost two consecutive play-off matches and were eliminated from the play-offs. John Palavi was named in the competition's team on the year.[58]

Holden Cup squad
See also: 2015 NRL Under-20s season

The Junior Warriors finished 7th to make the finals. They defeated the Roosters and the Broncos before being eliminated by the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final.[59]

Club awards

Ben Matulino was named as the Warriors player of the year, his second time winning the award. The other finalists for the award were Simon Mannering and Shaun Johnson.[60]

Johnson was awarded the People's choice award, Albert Vete was named the Club person of the year and Tuimoala Lolohea was named the NRL rookie of the year.

John Palavi was named the NSW Cup side's player of the year, while Mason Lino was the sides rookie of the year.

Bunty Afoa was the Junior Warrior's player of the year, while Ata Hingano was the rookie of the year.[60]

References
  1. PRESEASON | Day one warriors.co.nz, 3 November 2014
  2. Warriors confirm nines squad nzherald.co.nz, 28 January 2015
  3. "Warriors thrill crowd with win over Titans". NRL.com. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  4. "Sensational Raiders silence Warriors faithful". NRL.com. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  5. "Warriors turn on the style to stay alive". NRL.com. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  6. "Warriors bow out as Sharks squeeze through". NRL.com. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  7. Plans for Warriors match scuttled stuff.co.nz, 23 October 2014
  8. "Ridge injury sours Titans trial win". NRL.com. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  9. Ken Maumalo makes statement as New Zealand Warriors beat Penrith Panthers in trial match stuff.co.nz, 14 February 2015
  10. NRL Trial: Return to Rotorua warriors.co.nz, 24 November 2014
  11. Valuable final NRL hit-out warriors.co.nz, 21 February 2015
  12. Vodafone Warriors returning to Wellington warriors.co.nz, 18 December 2014
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  37. Iro returning to Vodafone Warriors warriors.co.nz, 20 September 2014
  38. Second assistant coach named warriors.co.nz, 23 September 2014
  39. Jones to coach NSW Cup side in 2015 warriors.co.nz, 5 October 2014
  40. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10663248/Well-travelled-Carmont-joins-Warriors-reserves
  41. "Ryan Hoffman happy with his shift to Warriors". Stuff.
  42. "NZ Warriors sign rookie centre Matt Allwood". Stuff.
  43. Warriors sign Thompson, release Bukuya au.news.yahoo.com, 2 November 2014
  44. Warriors sign Irish international Archived 4 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine rugbyleagueweek.com.au, 27 November 2014
  45. "Vodafone Warriors sign Wright". Warriors. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  46. "Jerome Ropati announces league retirement". Stuff.
  47. "BBC Sport – Kevin Locke: Salford Red Devils sign New Zealand full-back". BBC Sport.
  48. "Carlos Tuimavave is off to Newcastle Knights". Stuff.
  49. "Forward Feleti Mateo offloaded by NZ Warriors". Stuff.
  50. "Sam Lousi granted early release". Warriors. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  51. "Waratahs Coach Michael Cheika Gambles on 126 kg League Rooke Sam Lousi for Lock Position". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  52. Warriors centre Nielsen signs with Dragons stuff.co.nz, 19 November 2014
  53. "Paasi's puzzling path to the NRL". nrl.com. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  54. "Warriors prop Suaia Matagi inks deal with the Sydney Roosters after seeking early release". stuff.co.nz. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  55. "Titans sign Warriors forward | NRL". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
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  58. Palavi in team of the year warriors.kiwi, 28 September 2015
  59. Junior Warriors pumped by Panthers nzherald.co.nz, 25 September 2015
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