Wikipedia

1998 Auckland Warriors season

The 1998 Auckland Warriors season was the 4th in the club's history. Coached by Frank Endacott and captained by Matthew Ridge, they competed in the 1998 NRL season, finishing the regular season 15th (out of 20 teams).

1998 Auckland Warriors season
NRL Rank15th
1998 recordWins: 7; draws: 0; losses: 15
Points scoredFor: 233; against: 243
Team information
CEOBill MacGowan
CoachFrank Endacott
Captain
StadiumEricsson Stadium
Avg. attendance8,858
Top scorers
TriesNigel Vagana (13)
GoalsMatthew Ridge (51)
PointsMatthew Ridge (110)
← 1997 1999 →

Milestones

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  • 10 April – Round 5: Joe Vagana plays his 50th match for the club.
  • 19 April – Round 6: Syd Eru plays his 50th match for the club.

Jersey & Sponsors

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For 1998 the Warriors again used a similar style of jersey, produced by Nike, Inc. DB Bitter remained the major sponsor while Bartercard joined as the sleeve sponsor.[1]

Fixtures

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See also: List of New Zealand Warriors results

The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 1997, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.

Pre-season trials

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Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
13 February Trial 1   North Queensland Cowboys Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Lost 22–26 [2]
22 February Trial 2   Auckland selection Carlaw Park, Auckland Win 22–4 [3]
28 February Trial 3   Canterbury Bulldogs Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch Win 20–8 Ngamu, Eru, N.Vagana Ngamu (4) [4][5]

Regular season

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Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
13 March Round 1   South Sydney Rabbitohs Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss 18–24 Ngamu, Kearney Ngamu (5) 9,500 [6]
21 March Round 2   Newcastle Knights EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle Loss 4–33 Hoppe 23,503 [7]
27 March Round 3   Sydney City Roosters Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 25–14 Hoppe, Jones, Seuseu, N.Vagana Ridge (4), Ngamu (FG) 9,000 [8]
4 April Round 4   St. George Dragons Oki Jubilee Stadium, Sydney Loss 24–28 N.Vagana (2), Ropati, Smith Ridge (4) 10,003 [9]
10 April Round 5   Melbourne Storm Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 16–12 Hoppe, Jones, Tatupu Ridge (2) 14,503 [10]
19 April Round 6   North Sydney Bears North Sydney Oval, Sydney Loss 26–44 Jones, Lauitiiti, Tatupu, N.Vagana Ridge (5) 10,945 [11]
26 April Round 7   Newcastle Knights Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss 14–38 Ropati, N.Vagana Ridge (3) 7,500 [12]
2 May Round 8   Sydney City Roosters Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Loss 4–22 Oudenryn 5,308 [13]
8 May Round 9   Cronulla Sharks Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss 8–20 Ropati Ridge (2) 7,500 [14]
16 May Round 10   Canterbury Bulldogs Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Win 20–6 Jones, Oudenryn, A.Swann Ridge (4) 5,224 [15]
24 May Round 11   Canberra Raiders Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 25–14 Hoppe (2), N.Vagana (2) Ridge (4), Whittaker (FG) 8,000 [16]
30 May Round 12   Parramatta Eels Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Loss 6–14 Kearney Whittaker (1) 13,218 [17]
7 June Round 13   Penrith Panthers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 15–14 Ngamu, Whittaker Ngamu (3 & FG) 7,000 [18]
13 June Round 14   Western Suburbs Magpies Campbelltown Sports Ground, Sydney Loss 16–18 Jones, Oudenryn, Jones Ngamu (2) 5,933 [19]
21 June Round 15   St. George Dragons Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 31–14 Eru, Jones, Kearney, Ropati, L.Swann Ngamu (5 & FG) 8,300 [20]
27 June Round 16   Melbourne Storm Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne Win 24–21 Eru, Galuvao, Ngamu, Tatupu Ngamu (4) 13,127 [21]
4 July Round 17   Illawarra Steelers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss 17–14 Eur, Kearney, J.Vagana Jones (1) 12,500 [22]
11 July Round 18   Gold Coast Chargers Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast Loss 18–31 Endacott, Eru, Staladi Ridge (3) 5,490 [23]
17 July Round 19   Balmain Tigers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 21–20 Ridge, Tatupu, N.Vagana Ridge (4), Jones (FG) 6,000 [24]
26 July Round 20   Adelaide Rams Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide Loss 20–22 Ridge, N.Vagana, J.Vagana Ridge (4) 7,445 [25]
31 July Round 21   North Queensland Cowboys Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win 34–18 N.Vagana (3), Iro (2), Staladi Ridge (5) 4,500 [26]
9 August Round 22   South Sydney Rabbitohs Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Loss 18–20 Lauitiiti (2), Seuseu Ridge (3) 3,733 [27]
16 August Round 23   Brisbane Broncos ANZ Stadium, Brisbane Loss 4–16 Ridge (2) 16,456 [28]
23 August Round 24   Manly Sea Eagles Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss 12–38 Kearney, Lauitiiti Ridge (2) 12,000 [29]

Kiwi Trial matches

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After the National Rugby League season had finished the Warriors played in two trial matches against a New Zealand XIII. These matches acted as a trial for the New Zealand national rugby league team before the October test against Australia and the tour of Great Britain.

Date Opponent Venue Result Score Report
17 September   New Zealand XIII Rugby Park, New Plymouth Win 66–4 [30][31][32]
23 September   New Zealand XIII Carlaw Park, Auckland Win 60–16 [33]

Ladder

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1998 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1   Brisbane Broncos (P) 24 18 1 5 688 310 +378 37
2   Newcastle Knights 24 18 1 5 562 381 +181 37
3   Melbourne Storm 24 17 1 6 546 372 +174 35
4   Parramatta Eels 24 17 1 6 468 349 +119 35
5   North Sydney Bears 24 17 0 7 663 367 +296 34
6   Sydney City Roosters 24 16 0 8 680 383 +297 32
7   Canberra Raiders 24 15 0 9 564 429 +135 30
8   St. George Dragons 24 13 1 10 486 490 -4 27
9   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 13 0 11 489 411 +78 26
10   Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 24 13 0 11 503 473 +30 26
11   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 12 1 11 438 387 +51 25
12   Illawarra Steelers 24 11 1 12 476 539 -63 23
13   Balmain Tigers 24 9 1 14 381 463 -82 19
14   Penrith Panthers 24 8 2 14 525 580 -55 18
15   Auckland Warriors 24 9 0 15 417 518 -101 18
16   North Queensland Cowboys 24 9 0 15 361 556 -195 18
17   Adelaide Rams 24 7 0 17 393 615 -222 14
18   South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 5 0 19 339 560 -221 10
19   Gold Coast Chargers 24 4 0 20 289 654 -365 8
20   Western Suburbs Magpies 24 4 0 20 371 802 -431 8

Squad

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See also: List of New Zealand Warriors players

Twenty nine players were used by the club in 1998, including four players who made their first grade debuts.

No. Name Nationality Position Warriors Debut App T G FG Pts
3 Sean Hoppe   WG 10 March 1995 15 5 0 0 20
6 Gene Ngamu   FE 10 March 1995 17 3 19 3 53
11 Stephen Kearney   SR 10 March 1995 21 5 0 0 20
12 Tony Tatupu   SR 10 March 1995 19 4 0 0 16
13 Tony Tuimavave   PR / LK 10 March 1995 9 0 0 0 0
15 Tea Ropati   CE / FE 10 March 1995 15 4 0 0 16
18 Joe Vagana   PR 18 March 1995 22 2 0 0 8
19 Syd Eru   HK 28 March 1995 13 4 0 0 16
24 Stacey Jones   HB 23 April 1995 24 6 1 1 27
29 Marc Ellis   FB / WG 31 March 1996 2 0 0 0 0
32 Nigel Vagana   CE 4 April 1996 23 13 0 0 52
33 Awen Guttenbeil   SR 14 April 1996 10 0 0 0 0
36 Anthony Swann   CE 23 June 1996 9 1 0 0 4
37 Brady Malam   PR 23 June 1996 24 0 0 0 0
38 Bryan Henare   SR 23 July 1996 1 0 0 0 0
40 Matthew Ridge   FB 1 March 1997 18 2 51 0 110
42 Logan Swann   SR 1 March 1997 24 1 0 0 4
44 Shane Endacott   FE 29 March 1997 17 1 0 0 4
45 Paul Staladi   WG 27 April 1997 11 2 0 0 8
47 Lee Oudenryn   WG 6 July 1997 20 3 0 0 12
48 Aaron Whittaker   HB 29 June 1997 7 1 1 1 7
50 Jerry Seu Seu   PR 16 August 1997 17 2 0 0 8
51 Kevin Iro   CE 13 March 1998 16 2 0 0 8
52 Quentin Pongia   PR 13 March 1998 18 0 0 0 0
53 Tyran Smith   SR 13 March 1998 10 1 0 0 4
54 Zane Clarke   HK 13 March 1998 5 0 0 0 0
55 Ali Lauitiiti   SR 19 April 1998 8 4 0 0 16
56 Joe Galuvao   FB / CE 2 May 1998 11 1 0 0 4
57 Frank Watene   PR 23 August 1998 1 0 0 0 0

Staff

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  • Chief Executive Officer: Bill MacGowan

Coaching Staff

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Transfers

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Gains

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Player Previous Club Length Notes
Tony Tatupu Warrington Wolves Warrior 1995–1996
Nigel Vagana Warrington Wolves Warrior 1996
Kevin Iro Hunter Mariners
Quentin Pongia Canberra Raiders
Tyran Smith North Queensland Cowboys

Losses

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Player Club Notes
Aaron Lester Whitehaven
Phil Blake Retired
Hitro Okesene Wigan Warriors
Denis Betts Wigan Warriors
Mark Horo Retired
Iva Ropati Retired
Grant Young London Broncos
Steve Buckingham Mount Albert Lions
Meti Noovao Adelaide Rams

Mid-Season Losses

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Player Club Notes
Marc Ellis North Harbour Rugby Union [1]

Other Teams

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Due to the axing of the Reserve grade competition the Auckland Warriors reserve team played in a series of matches against New Zealand Provincial sides.[34]

Date Opponent Result Score Venue Report
March–April Auckland Win 26–24 Auckland
March–April Auckland Win 26–24 Auckland
26 April Waikato Cougars Win 54–0 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland [35]
2 May Canterbury Reds Win 35–0 Rugby League Park, Christchurch
24 May Canterbury Reds Win 38–14 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Northland Wild Boars Win 54–12 Jubilee Park, Whangarei
Waikato Cougars Win 76–0 Resthills Park, Hamilton
Coastline Mariners Win 66–6 Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
West Coast Chargers Win 56–2 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
West Coast Chargers Win 46–8 Wingham Park, West Coast
Hawkes Bay Unicorns Win 90–10 Nelson Park, Hastings
Manawatu Mustangs Win 32–10 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Manawatu Mustangs Win 54–4 Foxton
Wellington Pumas Win 50–18 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Wellington Pumas Win 44–10 Hutt Valley
Taranaki Sharks Win 42–8 New Plymouth
Taranaki Sharks Win 56–10 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
August Auckland Win 28–24 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland

Awards

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Joe Vagana was the Player of the Year.[36]

References

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  1. ^ a b New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.58
  2. ^ Rugby League Teams rugbyleague.co.nz
  3. ^ Rugby League Teamsrugbyleague.co.nz
  4. ^ Rugby League Teams rugbyleague.co.nz
  5. ^ League nomad faces test[dead link‍] The Press, 28 February 1998
  6. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 1 rugbyleagueproject.org
  7. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 2 rugbyleagueproject.org
  8. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 3 rugbyleagueproject.org
  9. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 4 rugbyleagueproject.org
  10. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 5 rugbyleagueproject.org
  11. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 6 rugbyleagueproject.org
  12. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 7 rugbyleagueproject.org
  13. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 8 rugbyleagueproject.org
  14. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 9 rugbyleagueproject.org
  15. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 10 rugbyleagueproject.org
  16. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 11 rugbyleagueproject.org
  17. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 12 rugbyleagueproject.org
  18. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 13 rugbyleagueproject.org
  19. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 14 rugbyleagueproject.org
  20. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 15 rugbyleagueproject.org
  21. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 16 rugbyleagueproject.org
  22. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 17 rugbyleagueproject.org
  23. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 18 rugbyleagueproject.org
  24. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 19 rugbyleagueproject.org
  25. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 20 rugbyleagueproject.org
  26. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 21 rugbyleagueproject.org
  27. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 22 rugbyleagueproject.org
  28. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 23 rugbyleagueproject.org
  29. ^ NRL 1998 – Round 24 rugbyleagueproject.org
  30. ^ Rugby League Teams rugbyleague.co.nz
  31. ^ Nickson in team to play Warriors[dead link‍] Daily News, 4 September 1998
  32. ^ Warriors queue up for easy tries[dead link‍] Daily News, 18 September 1998
  33. ^ Rugby League Teams rugbyleague.co.nz
  34. ^ New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998.
  35. ^ Young Warriors crush Cougars[dead link‍] Waikato Times, 27 April 1998
  36. ^ New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.60
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