2015 New Zealand Warriors season

January 2020 thumb|right|A special logo was used for the 2015 season. 2015 NRL Challenge Cup CEO Wayne Scurrah Andrew McFadden Tony IroAndrew Webster Simon Mannering Mount Smart Stadium Solomone Kata (12) Shaun Johnson (48) Shaun Johnson (130) 2014 2016 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 leftIn 2015 the Warriors jerseys were again made by Canterbury of New Zealand.left Fixtures List of New Zealand Warriors results 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 2015 NRL 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. Hunua Ranges pool Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report31 JanuaryHunua 116px Gold Coast TitansEden Park, AucklandWin17–10Kata, Hoffman, LoloheaJohnson (2)43,000https://www.nrl.com/warriors-thrill-crowd-with-win-over-titans/tabid/10874/newsid/83593/default.aspx Warriors thrill crowd with win over Titans NRL.com 31 January 2015 17 October 201531 JanuaryHunua 216px Canberra RaidersEden Park, AucklandLoss19–23Johnson, Maumalo, Lolohea, AllwoodJohnson (1)43,000https://www.nrl.com/sensational-raiders-silence-warriors-faithful/tabid/10874/newsid/83603/default.aspx Sensational Raiders silence Warriors faithful NRL.com 31 January 2015 17 October 20151 FebruaryHunua 316px Wests TigersEden Park, AucklandWin22–8Kata (2), Vatuvei, Lolohea, HenryJohnson (1)43,000https://www.nrl.com/warriors-turn-on-the-style-to-stay-alive/tabid/10874/newsid/83617/default.aspx Warriors turn on the style to stay alive NRL.com 1 February 2015 17 October 20151 FebruaryQuarter Final16px Cronulla SharksEden Park, AucklandLoss12–14Vatuvei, Kata, Laumape43,000https://www.nrl.com/warriors-bow-out-as-sharks-squeeze-through/tabid/10874/newsid/83624/default.aspx Warriors bow out as Sharks squeeze through February 2015 NRL.com 17 October 2015 Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Final 16x16px Parramatta Eels 17 16x16px North Queensland Cowboys 11 16x16px South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 16x16px Newcastle Knights 6 16x16px Wests Tigers 4 16x16px Sydney Roosters 22 16x16px Cronulla Sharks 14 16x16px New Zealand Warriors 12 16x16px Parramatta Eels 6 16x16px South Sydney Rabbitohs 37 16x16px Sydney Roosters 4 16x16px Cronulla Sharks 10 16x16px South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 16x16px Cronulla Sharks 14 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)6,827https://www.nrl.com/ridge-injury-sours-titans-trial-win/tabid/10874/newsid/83724/default.aspx Ridge injury sours Titans trial win NRL.com 7 February 2015 17 October 201514 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)16,146https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110130/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201515 March Round 2Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium, CanberraWin18–6Vatuvei, Kata, HoffmanJohnson (3)8,241https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110270/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201521 March Round 3Parramatta EelsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin29–16Kata (2), Hoffman, Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (4 & FG)14,112https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110330/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201529 March Round 4Brisbane BroncosMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–24Townsend, Allwood, KataJohnson (2)14,670https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110460 NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20156 April Round 5Melbourne StormAAMI Park, MelbourneLoss14–30Vatuvei, Friend, IkahihifoJohnson (1)18,179https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110570/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201511 April Round 6 Wests TigersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin32–22Vatuvei (2), Townsend, Lolohea, Johnson, ThompsonJohnson (4)13,781https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110640/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201518 AprilRound 7North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium, TownsvilleLoss24–28Hurrell, Wright, Kata, VatuveiJohnson (4)16,038https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110740/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201525 April Round 8Gold Coast TitansMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss28–32Fusitu'a, Matulino, Wright, Kata, ThompsonJohnson (4)15,102https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110820/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20159 MayRound 9Cronulla SharksRemondis Stadium, SydneyWin20–16Wright, Vatuvei, Kata, JohnsonJohnson (2)13,988https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151110940/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201516 MayRound 10Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin17–13(A.E.T.)Kata, Johnson, ThompsonJohnson (2)Townsend (FG)11,152https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111030/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 2015Round 11 Bye31 May Round 12Newcastle KnightsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin24–20Lolohea, Vatuvei, Kata, Matulino, WrightJohnson (2)13,203https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111250/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20156 June Round 13South Sydney RabbitohsNIB Stadium, PerthLoss4–36Vatuvei20,272https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111340/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201513 June Round 14Sydney RoostersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss21–25Kata (2), Lolohea, VatuveiJohnson (2 & FG)14,167https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111420 NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201520 June Round 15Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium, RobinaWin36–14Johnson (2), Friend, Faitala-Mariner, Hurrell, ThompsonJohnson (6)14,132https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111530/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201527 June Round 16Canberra RaidersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin30–8Lolohea (2), Thompson, Johnson, VatuveiJohnson (5)13,110https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111630/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 2015Round 17 Bye12 July Round 18Melbourne StormMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin28–14Lolohea (2), Fusitua, Thompson, JohnsonJohnson (4)17,278https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111840/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201519 July Round 19Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss0–2416,301https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151111960/ NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201525 July Round 20Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss12–32Johnson, VeteLolohea (2)15,812https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112030 NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20151 August Round 21Cronulla SharksMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss14–18Hurrell, ManneringLolohea (3)12,481https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112110/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20158 AugustRound 22St. George Illawarra DragonsWestpac Stadium, WellingtonLoss0–3618,317https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112210/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201515 August Round 23Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium, SydneyLoss10–24Tomkins, HurrellLolohea (1)6,774https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112340/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201522 August Round 24North Queensland CowboysMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–50Lolohea, Maumalo, PeyrouxLolohea (2)14,412 https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112410/#play-by-play NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 201520 August Round 25Wests TigersCampbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyLoss16–50Allwood (2), VeteLolohea (2)6,700https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112570/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 20156 September Round 26Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsANZ Stadium, SydneyLoss22–26Lolohea (2), Friend, KataLolohea (2)14,821https://matchcentre.nrl.com/match/2015/111/20151112620/#match-report NRL Match Centre 2015 Matchcentre.nrl.com 17 October 2015 Ladder Squad 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 201291004180Ngani LaumapeWG24 March 201300000181Suaia MatagiPR11 May 201310000182Dominique PeyrouxCE3 June 201381004183 Charlie GubbPR7 July 201390000185Sam TomkinsFB9 March 2014131004186Chad TownsendHB9 March 2014222019188John PalaviPR9 March 201400000189David FusituaWG15 March 201432008190Siliva HaviliHK13 April 201480000192Tuimoala LoloheaHB27 July 2014231113070193Solomone KataCE7 March 201524120048194Bodene ThompsonSR7 March 20152160024195Ryan HoffmanSR7 March 20151830012196Sam LisonePR7 March 2015180000197Albert VetePR7 March 2015212008198Jonathan Wright Jonathan Wright (rugby league)WG15 March 20152040016199Matt AllwoodCE29 March 2015330012200Raymond Faitala-MarinerSR25 April 2015111004201Ken MaumaloWG16 May 201581004202Mason 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 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 Carmonthttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10663248/Well-travelled-Carmont-joins-Warriors-reserves Well-travelled Carmont joins Warriors reserves 25 October 2014 NSW Cup assistant coach: Willie Swann NYC head coach: Kelvin Wright Transfers Gains Player Previous club Length NotesRyan HoffmanMelbourne Storm3 yearshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10023383/Ryan-Hoffman-happy-with-his-shift-to-Warriors Ryan Hoffman happy with his shift to Warriors Stuff 8 May 2014Matt AllwoodCanberra Raiders3 yearshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10064177/NZ-Warriors-sign-rookie-centre-Matt-Allwood NZ Warriors sign rookie centre Matt Allwood Stuff 20 May 2014Bodene ThompsonWests Tigers3 yearsWarriors sign Thompson, release Bukuya au.news.yahoo.com, 2 November 2014Api PewhairangiParramatta Eels1 yearWarriors sign Irish international https://web.archive.org/web/20141204155542/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/warriors-sign-irish-international/ 4 December 2014 rugbyleagueweek.com.au, 27 November 2014Jonathan WrightCronulla Sharks1 yearhttp://www.warriors.co.nz/news/2014/12/02/vodafone_warriors_sign_wright.html Vodafone Warriors sign Wright Warriors 17 October 2015 Losses Player Club NotesJerome RopatiRetiredhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10093088/Jerome-Ropati-announces-league-retirement Jerome Ropati announces league retirement Stuff 28 May 2014Kevin Locke Kevin Locke (rugby league)Salford Red Devils2014 Mid-season transferhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/27253594 BBC Sport – Kevin Locke: Salford Red Devils sign New Zealand full-back BBC SportCarlos TuimavaveNewcastle Knightshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10211362/Carlos-Tuimavave-is-off-to-Newcastle-Knights Carlos Tuimavave is off to Newcastle Knights Stuff 28 June 2014Feleti MateoManly Sea Eagleshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10668655/Feleti-Mateo-set-to-be-offloaded-by-Warriors Forward Feleti Mateo offloaded by NZ Warriors Stuff 28 October 2014Sam LousiNew South Wales Waratahshttp://www.warriors.co.nz/news/2014/09/11/sam_lousi_granted_early_release.html Sam Lousi granted early release 11 September 2014 Warriors 17 October 2015http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/waratahs-coach-michael-cheika-gambles-on-126kg-league-rookie-sam-lousi-for-lock-position/story-fnp0m105-1227147242936 Waratahs Coach Michael Cheika Gambles on 126 kg League Rooke Sam Lousi for Lock Position Couriermail.com.au 17 October 2015Jayson BukuyaCronulla-Sutherland Sharks Dane NielsenSt. George-Illawarra DragonsWarriors centre Nielsen signs with Dragons stuff.co.nz, 19 November 2014 Agnatius PaasiGold Coast Titanshttps://www.nrl.com/paasis-puzzling-path-to-the-nrl/tabid/10874/newsid/83384/default.aspx Paasi's puzzling path to the NRL nrl.com 13 January 2015 4 February 2015Suaia MatagiSydney Roosters2015 Mid-season transferhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/68590783/warriors-prop-suaia-matagi-inks-deal-with-the-sydney-roosters-after-seeking-early-release Warriors prop Suaia Matagi inks deal with the Sydney Roosters after seeking early release stuff.co.nz 15 May 2015 15 May 2015Nathaniel PeteruGold Coast Titans2015 Mid-season transferhttp://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/titans-sign-warriors-forward-18083/ Titans sign Warriors forward | NRL Zero Tackle 13 July 2015 11 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150711233638/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/titans-sign-warriors-forward-18083 dead Api PewhairangiConnacht (RU)2015 Mid-season transferhttp://www.warriors.co.nz/news/2015/06/24/nsw_cup_round_16_v_m.html NSW CUP ROUND #16 v Mounties 24 June 2015 24 June 2015Ngani LaumapeManawatu Turbos (RU)2015 Mid-season transferhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/70553656/warrior-ngani-laumape-crosses-rugby-codes-to-sign-with-manawatu-turbos Warrior Ngani Laumape crosses rugby codes to sign with Manawatu Turbos stuff.co.nz 27 July 2015 27 July 2015 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 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.Palavi in team of the year warriors.kiwi, 28 September 2015 Holden Cup squad 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.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 30em External links Warriors 2015 season rugby league project Category:New Zealand Warriors seasons New Zealand Warriors season Warriors season