March 10th, 1995 Today marks 28 years since Auckland Warriors made their unforgettable premiership debut against heavyweights Brisbane Broncos in the opening round of 1995 at a heaving Ericsson Stadium. The following is a modified excerpt from Will Evans’ book,… Read More ›
auckland warriors
WARRIORS HISTORY YOU SHOULD KNOW: FIRST-EVER TRIAL PLAYED AT PACKED HOUSE IN CHRISTCHURCH
JANUARY 18, 1995 The Auckland Warriors’ impending premiership debut created a hype train with runaway momentum rarely seen in the history of New Zealand sport. Less than two months out from Round 1 of the 1995 Winfield Cup, the Warriors… Read More ›
THIS DAY IN WARRIORS HISTORY: WIGAN SPIT DUMMY AT MONIE, WARRIORS
JANUARY 2, 1994 More than 14 months out from Auckland Warriors’ intensely anticipated premiership debut, Wigan chairman Jack Robinson ramped up a trans-hemispheric club feud by accusing John Monie of attempting to decimate the British heavyweight’s roster. The Warriors’ capture… Read More ›
WARRIOR-ROO BLOG NO.5: 1997 – SUPER LEAGUE, ARL & PRINCESS DI
Robert Anderson is a Brisbane-based Warriors fan and long-time member of the club. Throughout 2020, he will share his memories and thoughts on his beloved team for This Warriors Life. Here’s the fifth edition of Robert’s ‘Warrior-Roo’ blog (find previous entries… Read More ›
ONCE WERE WARRIORS: LEE OUDENRYN
LEE OUDENRYN – Warrior #47 Journeyman flyer Lee Oudenryn spent four seasons at wing and fullback for the Warriors after building a reputation as one of the game’s fastest players at Parramatta and Gold Coast. Parramatta (1992-95): 50 games –… Read More ›
ONCE WERE WARRIORS: JOHN KIRWAN
John Kirwan – Warrior #22 (1995-96): 35 games – 13 tries (52 points) One of the most decorated All Blacks of all time, prolific rugby union winger John Kirwan joined the Auckland Warriors as a 30-year-old during the club’s inaugural… Read More ›
ONCE WERE WARRIORS: HITRO OKESENE
Hitro Okesene – Warrior #10 (1995-97): 22 games – 3 tries (12 points) New Zealand (1994-95): 5 Tests – 1 try (4 points) Playing 22 first grade games over three seasons isn’t the traditional path to club legend status, but… Read More ›
ONCE WERE WARRIORS: GENE NGAMU
Gene Ngamu – Warrior #6 Manly (1992-93): 9 games – 1 try (4 points) South Sydney (1994): 1 game – 0 points Warriors (1995-99): 81 games – 11 tries, 118 goals, 3 field goals (283 points) PREMIERSHIP TOTAL: 91 games… Read More ›
ONCE WERE WARRIORS: TONY TUIMAVAVE
Tony Tuimavave – Warrior #13 (1995-2000): 78 games – 9 tries (36 points). New Zealand (1995): 1 Test – 0 points. Western Samoa (1995): 2 Tests – 0 points. Tough, creative back-rower Tony Tuimavave was the best of a prolific… Read More ›
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: WARRIORS IN THE ’97 WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE
As the Melbourne Storm and Leeds Rhinos prepare to square off in the World Club Challenge tonight – with ex-Warriors Ryan Hoffman and Joel Moon set to feature – TWL’s inaugural Flashback Friday revisits the Auckland Warriors’ memorable campaign in… Read More ›