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.
Milestones 13 February: Manu Vatuvei and Nathan Friend were selected to play for the NRL All Stars team in the NRL All Stars game. 7 March – round 1: Solomone Kata, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Sam Lisone and Albert Vete made their debut for the club. Kata, Lisone and Vete were also making their first grade debut. 15 March – round 2: Jonathan Wright made his debut for the club. 21 March – round 3: Nathan Friend played in his 200th NRL match. Ben Henry also played in his 50th NRL match. 29 March – round 4: Matt Allwood made his debut for the club. 6 April – round 5: Ryan Hoffman played in his 250th NRL match. 11 April – round 6: Manu Vatuvei played in his 200th match for the Warriors. 25 April – round 8: Raymond Faitala-Mariner made his first grade debut. 2 May: Bunty Afoa, Marata Niukore, Toafofoa Sipley and Jazz Tevaga played for the Junior Kiwis. Dominique Peyroux and Sam Lisone represented Samoa while Tuimoala Lolohea, Konrad Hurrell, Solomone Kata and Albert Vete played for Tonga. 3 May: Shaun Johnson, Thomas Leuluai, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Manu Vatuvei all played for the New Zealand national rugby league team in the 2015 Anzac Test. 16 May – round 10: Ken Maumalo made his first grade debut. May to July: Ryan Hoffman represented New South Wales and Jacob Lillyman represented Queensland in the 2015 State of Origin series. 13 June – round 14: Manu Vatuvei scored his 10th try of the season, becoming the first player to score 10 tries in 10 consecutive seasons. 27 June – round 15: Jacob Lillyman played in his 200th NRL match and Bodene Thompson played in his 100th NRL match. 19 July – round 19: Shaun Johnson played in his 100th match for the Warriors. 22 August – round 24: Mason Lino made his first grade debut. 8 October: Tuimoala Lolohea and Ben Matulino were named in the squad for the New Zealand tour of Great Britain. Sam Tomkins was also named in the England squad. 17 October: Solomone Kata and Albert Vete played for Tonga in a World Cup qualifier.
Jersey and sponsors In 2015 the Warriors jerseys were again made by Canterbury of New Zealand.
Fixtures
Pre-season training The bulk of the Warriors' 2015 NRL squad began preseason training on 3 November 2014.PRESEASON | Day one warriors.co.nz, 3 November 2014
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.Warriors confirm nines squad nzherald.co.nz, 28 January 2015
Solomone Kata was named in the team of the tournament.
Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report31 JanuaryHunua 1 Gold Coast TitansEden Park, AucklandWin17–10Kata, Hoffman, LoloheaJohnson (2)43,00031 JanuaryHunua 2 Canberra RaidersEden Park, AucklandLoss19–23Johnson, Maumalo, Lolohea, AllwoodJohnson (1)43,0001 FebruaryHunua 3 Wests TigersEden Park, AucklandWin22–8Kata (2), Vatuvei, Lolohea, HenryJohnson (1)43,0001 FebruaryQuarter Final Cronulla SharksEden Park, AucklandLoss12–14Vatuvei, Kata, Laumape43,000
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.Plans for Warriors match scuttled stuff.co.nz, 23 October 2014
Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report7 FebruaryTrial 1Gold Coast TitansClive Berghofer Stadium, ToowoombaLoss12–22Peyroux, PeteruPewhairangi (2)6,82714 FebruaryTrial 2Penrith PanthersRotorua International Stadium, RotoruaWin18–4Maumalo (2), Niukore, JohnsonTownsend (1)9,000Ken Maumalo makes statement as New Zealand Warriors beat Penrith Panthers in trial match stuff.co.nz, 14 February 2015NRL Trial: Return to Rotorua warriors.co.nz, 24 November 201421 FebruaryTrial 3Warriors NSW CupBruce Pulman Park, PapakuraWin42–14Hurrell (2), Vatuvei, Tomkins, Friend, Kata, Mannering, JohnsonJohnson (5)2,000Valuable final NRL hit-out warriors.co.nz, 21 February 2015
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".Vodafone Warriors returning to Wellington warriors.co.nz, 18 December 2014 Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report7 March Round 1Newcastle KnightsHunter Stadium, NewcastleLoss14–24Leuluai, HoffmanJohnson (3)16,14615 March Round 2Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium, CanberraWin18–6Vatuvei, Kata, HoffmanJohnson (3)8,24121 March Round 3Parramatta EelsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin29–16Kata (2), Hoffman, Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (4 & FG)14,11229 March Round 4Brisbane BroncosMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–24Townsend, Allwood, KataJohnson (2)14,6706 April Round 5Melbourne StormAAMI Park, MelbourneLoss14–30Vatuvei, Friend, IkahihifoJohnson (1)18,17911 April Round 6 Wests TigersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin32–22Vatuvei (2), Townsend, Lolohea, Johnson, ThompsonJohnson (4)13,78118 AprilRound 7North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium, TownsvilleLoss24–28Hurrell, Wright, Kata, VatuveiJohnson (4)16,03825 April Round 8Gold Coast TitansMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss28–32Fusitu'a, Matulino, Wright, Kata, ThompsonJohnson (4)15,1029 MayRound 9Cronulla SharksRemondis Stadium, SydneyWin20–16Wright, Vatuvei, Kata, JohnsonJohnson (2)13,98816 MayRound 10Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin17–13(A.E.T.)Kata, Johnson, ThompsonJohnson (2)Townsend (FG)11,152Round 11 Bye31 May Round 12Newcastle KnightsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin24–20Lolohea, Vatuvei, Kata, Matulino, WrightJohnson (2)13,2036 June Round 13South Sydney RabbitohsNIB Stadium, PerthLoss4–36Vatuvei20,27213 June Round 14Sydney RoostersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss21–25Kata (2), Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (2 & FG)14,16720 June Round 15Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium, RobinaWin36–14Johnson (2), Friend, Faitala-Mariner, Hurrell, ThompsonJohnson (6)14,13227 June Round 16Canberra RaidersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin30–8Lolohea (2), Thompson, Johnson, VatuveiJohnson (5)13,110Round 17 Bye12 July Round 18Melbourne StormMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin28–14Lolohea (2), Fusitua, Thompson, JohnsonJohnson (4)17,27819 July Round 19Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss0–2416,30125 July Round 20Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss12–32Johnson, VeteLolohea (2)15,8121 August Round 21Cronulla SharksMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss14–18Hurrell, ManneringLolohea (3)12,4818 AugustRound 22St. George Illawarra DragonsWestpac Stadium, WellingtonLoss0–3618,31715 August Round 23Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium, SydneyLoss10–24Tomkins, HurrellLolohea (1)6,77422 August Round 24North Queensland CowboysMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–50Lolohea, Maumalo, PeyrouxLolohea (2)14,412 20 August Round 25Wests TigersCampbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyLoss16–50Allwood (2), VeteLolohea (2)6,7006 September Round 26Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, SydneyLoss22–26Lolohea (2), Friend, KataLolohea (2)14,821
Ladder
Squad
No.NamePositionWarriors debutAppTGFGPts 105HB2 May 2003101004 115WG23 May 200416110044 125SR26 June 2005241004 131PR20 May 200640000 142PR14 June 2008212008 146PR14 March 2009210000 159SR14 March 201070000 163FB12 March 201110000 168HB4 June 2011188482130 171SR4 March 201240000 172HK4 March 20122430012 173CE4 March 20121240016 176LK28 July 201291004180WG24 March 201300000181PR11 May 201310000182CE3 June 201381004183 PR7 July 201390000185FB9 March 2014131004186HB9 March 2014222019188PR9 March 201400000189WG15 March 201432008190HK13 April 201480000192HB27 July 2014231113070193CE7 March 201524120048194SR7 March 20152160024195SR7 March 20151830012196PR7 March 2015180000197PR7 March 2015212008198WG15 March 20152040016199CE29 March 2015330012200SR25 April 2015111004201WG16 May 201581004202HB22 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 NRL head coach: Andrew McFadden NRL assistant coach: Tony IroIro returning to Vodafone Warriors warriors.co.nz, 20 September 2014 NRL assistant coach: Andrew WebsterSecond assistant coach named warriors.co.nz, 23 September 2014 NSW Cup head coach: Stacey JonesJones to coach NSW Cup side in 2015 warriors.co.nz, 5 October 2014 NSW Cup assistant coach: George Carmont NSW Cup assistant coach: Willie Swann NYC head coach: Kelvin Wright
Transfers
Gains Player Previous club Length NotesRyan HoffmanMelbourne Storm3 yearsMatt AllwoodCanberra Raiders3 yearsBodene ThompsonWests Tigers3 yearsWarriors sign Thompson, release Bukuya au.news.yahoo.com, 2 November 2014Api PewhairangiParramatta Eels1 yearWarriors sign Irish international rugbyleagueweek.com.au, 27 November 2014Jonathan WrightCronulla Sharks1 year
Losses Player Club NotesRetiredSalford Red Devils2014 Mid-season transferCarlos TuimavaveNewcastle KnightsFeleti MateoManly Sea EaglesSam LousiNew South Wales WaratahsJayson BukuyaCronulla-Sutherland Sharks St. George-Illawarra DragonsWarriors centre Nielsen signs with Dragons stuff.co.nz, 19 November 2014 Agnatius PaasiGold Coast TitansSuaia MatagiSydney Roosters2015 Mid-season transferNathaniel PeteruGold Coast Titans2015 Mid-season transferApi PewhairangiConnacht (RU)2015 Mid-season transferNgani LaumapeManawatu Turbos (RU)2015 Mid-season transfer
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
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.Palavi in team of the year warriors.kiwi, 28 September 2015
Holden Cup squad
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.Junior Warriors pumped by Panthers nzherald.co.nz, 25 September 2015
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.Ben Matulino wins Warriors' player of year award for second time stuff.co.nz, 15 September 2015
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.
References
External links Warriors 2015 season rugby league project