The 2005 New Zealand Warriors season was the 11th in the club's history. The club competed in Australasia's National Rugby League. The coach of the team was Tony Kemp while Steve Price was the club captain.
Milestones 3 April - Round 4: Clinton Toopi played in his 100th match for the club. 9 April - Round 5: Francis Meli plays in his 100th first grade match for the club.Warrior makes it to 100 Western Leader, 27 May 2005. p.1. 7 May - Round 9: Wairangi Koopu played in his 100th match for the club. 13 August - Round 23: Monty Betham played in his 100th first grade match for the club and Karl Temata played in his 50th game for the club.
Jersey and sponsors The Warriors again made no changes to their jersey design for the 2005 season. During Round Sixteen a replica 1995 jersey was worn against the Brisbane Broncos to mark the 10th season of the Warriors.
Fixtures
The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 2005, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.
Pre-season
The Warriors played a match against the NZRL's Presidents selection at North Harbour Stadium on 27 February. The President's selection was coached by John Ackland and Tawera Nikau and included: Toshio Laiseni, Cooper Vuna, Simon Mannering, Joshua Davis, Rowan Baxter, Daniel Vasau, Bernard Perenara, George Tuakura, Ben Lythe, Phil Shead, Odell Manuel, Chris Newton, Wayne McDade. Interchange: Paul Atkins, Andreas Bauer, Marvin Filipo, Robinson Godfrey, Pinomi Tafea, Willie Live, Artie Shead, Sam Rapira, Chris Tupou, Dean Shepherd, Antonio Tusani. For the Warriors, the match was Nathan Fien's first for the club. The Warriors won the game 58–6. Date Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report13 February Parramatta EelsYarrow Stadium, New PlymouthWin20-10 9,500 27 February NZRL's Presidents selectionNorth Harbour Stadium, AucklandWin58-6Meli (3), Webb (3), Hohaia (2), Ropati, Martin, LatuJones (5)
Regular season Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report13 MarchRound 1 Manly Sea EaglesEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 20-26Anderson, Koopu, Toopi Jones (4) 13,682 19 MarchRound 2 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneWin 24-12Jones, Ropati, Wiki Jones (6) 24,719 27 MarchRound 3 North Queensland CowboysEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 22-32Betham, Byrne, Fien, Paleaaesina Jones (3) 13,888 3 AprilRound 4 South Sydney RabbitohsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin 46-14Betham, Byrne, Fien, Guttenbeil, Jones, Koopu, Toopi, Manu VatuveiJones (7) 9,751 9 AprilRound 5 Wests TigersAMI Stadium, ChristchurchLost 6-24Byrne Jones (1)18,421 17 AprilRound 6 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium, NewcastleWin 30-26Vatuvei (2), Byrne, Faumuina, Meli, Toopi Jones (3) 18,173 Round 7 Bye 1 MayRound 8 Penrith PanthersEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 14-16Byrne, Temata, VatuveiJones (1) 10,989 7 MayRound 9 Cronulla SharksMembers Equity Stadium, PerthLost 24-28Byrne, Hohaia, Koopu, Villasanti Hohaia (4) 13,29315 MayRound 10 Sydney RoostersEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 6-10Byrne Hohaia (1) 10,082 21 MayRound 11 South Sydney RabbitohsNorth Sydney Oval, SydneyWin 34-16Faumuina, Meli, Ropati, Vatuvei, Villasanti, Webb Jones (3), Hohaia (2) 6,195 29 MayRound 12 Wests TigersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin 21-4Toopi (2), Byrne, Villasanti Jones (1 & FG), Hohaia (1) 9,420 4 JuneRound 13 St. George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium, WollongongLost 18-32Byrne, Paleaaesina, Vatuvei Jones (3) 14,479 12 JuneRound 14 Melbourne StormEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin 24-16Byrne (2), Meli, Paleaaesina, Ropati Jones (2) 7,898 18 JuneRound 15 Parramatta EelsWaikato Stadium, HamiltonLost 18-28Byrne, Meli, Toopi, VillasantiHohaia (1) 17,142 26 JuneRound 16 Brisbane BroncosEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin 30-18Koopu (2), Faumuina, Hohaia, Meli, Vatuvei Jones (3) 13,752 2 JulyRound 17 North Queensland CowboysDairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleLost 16-24Koopu, Vatuvei, Wiki Jones (2) 20,078 10 JulyRound 18 Canterbury BulldogsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 24-26Meli, Byrne, Koopu, Jones Jones (4) 12,822 16 JulyRound 19 Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyWin 24-22Hohaia (2), Webb, Wiki Jones (4) 13,789 23 JulyRound 20 Canberra RaidersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin 24-16Fien, Hohaia, Meli, Ropati Jones (4) 18,361 30 JulyRound 21 Penrith PanthersCUA Stadium, SydneyLost 34-42Byrne, Faumuina, Fien, Guttenbeil, Jones, Webb Jones (5)13,985 6 AugustRound 22 Parramatta EelsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 20-38Fien (2), Koopu Jones (4) 19,211 13 AugustRound 23 Melbourne StormOlympic Park Stadium, MelbourneLost 10-22Fien, Meli Jones (1) 11,072 20 AugustRound 24 Newcastle KnightsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLost 4-16Vatuvei 17,356 27 AugustRound 25 Manly Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval, SydneyWin 22-20Faumuina, Jones, Koopu, Wiki Jones (3)14,219 Round 26 Bye
Ladder
Squad
Twenty Four players were used by the Warriors in 2005, including several players who made their first grade debuts.
No.NameNationalityPositionWarriors debutAppTGFGPts 24HB23 April 1995235631147 33SR14 April 1996232008 61HK / LK8 March 1999162008 64CE / SR9 April 19992490036 65WG2 May 19992180032 66CE2 May 19992360024 87PR18 February 20011940016 93PR1 June 20012230012 97FB1 April 20022030012 98CE / LK1 April 20022050020 99UB6 April 200219510040 102PR1 September 200220000 103PR / SR6 September 2002201004 107 HK7 June 200380000 108CE / FE31 August 20032340016 109CE14 March 200420000 110 SR14 March 200450000 112 LK28 March 2004181004 115WG23 May 20041290036 118 WG21 August 200400000 121PR13 March 2005160000 122WG13 March 200522140056 123PR13 March 20051940016 124HK13 March 20052270028 125CE26 June 200570000
Staff Chief Executive Officer: Mick Watson
Coaching staff Head coach: Tony Kemp Assistant coach: Ivan Cleary Assistant coach: Kevin Campion IT and Video Analyst: Tony Iro warriors.co.nz, 31 October 2012 Trainer: Craig WalkerWarriors trainer quits to join Roosters stuff.co.nz, 15 October 2012
Transfers
Gains Player Previous club Length NotesCanterbury BulldogsSydney RoostersCanberra RaidersNorth Queensland Cowboys
Losses Player Club Notes Paul AtkinsOtahuhu-Ellerslie LeopardsKane FerrisCanterbury BullsHerewini RangiCentral CometsShannon StowersMount Albert LionsPaul DezoltQueensland CupReleased 14 June 2004Matt JobsonWests TigersDanny SullivanRetiredVince MellarsCronulla SharksThomas LeuluaiLondon BroncosVinnie AndersonSt Helens R.F.C.PJ MarshParramatta EelsJustin MurphyWidnes VikingsReleased July 2004Henry Fa'afiliWarrington WolvesMark TookeyCastleford TigersReleased June 2004Ali LauitiitiLeeds RhinosReleased April 2004Jerry SeuseuWigan Warriors
Other teams Players not required by the Warriors were released to play in the 2005 Bartercard Cup. This included Cooper Vuna who played for the Otahuhu-Ellerslie Leopards.
Awards Ruben Wiki won the Player of the Year award.Vodafone Warriors RED BALL Awards warriors.co.nz, 16 September 2014
References
External links Warriors official site 2005 Warriors Season at rugbyleagueproject.org