1998 Auckland Warriors season

Last updated

1998 Auckland Warriors season
NRL Rank15th
1998 recordWins: 7; draws: 0; losses: 15
Points scoredFor: 233; against: 243
Team information
CEOBill MacGowan
Coach Frank Endacott
Captain
Stadium Ericsson Stadium
Avg. attendance8,858
Top scorers
Tries Nigel Vagana (13)
Goals Matthew Ridge (51)
Points Matthew Ridge (110)
<  1997 1999  >

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).

Contents

Milestones

Jersey & Sponsors

New Zealand home jersey 1997.svg

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

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

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
13 FebruaryTrial 1 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Lost22–26 [2]
22 FebruaryTrial 2 Canterbury colours.svg Auckland selection Carlaw Park, Auckland Win22–4 [3]
28 FebruaryTrial 3 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury Bulldogs Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch Win20–8 Ngamu, Eru, N.Vagana Ngamu (4) [4] [5]

Regular season

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
13 MarchRound 1 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss18–24 Ngamu, Kearney Ngamu (5)9,500 [6]
21 MarchRound 2 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle Loss4–33 Hoppe 23,503 [7]
27 MarchRound 3 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney City Roosters Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win25–14 Hoppe, Jones, Seuseu, N.Vagana Ridge (4), Ngamu (FG)9,000 [8]
4 AprilRound 4 St. George colours.svg St. George Dragons Oki Jubilee Stadium, Sydney Loss24–28 N.Vagana (2), Ropati, Smith Ridge (4)10,003 [9]
10 AprilRound 5 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win16–12 Hoppe, Jones, Tatupu Ridge (2)14,503 [10]
19 AprilRound 6 North Sydney colours.svg North Sydney Bears North Sydney Oval, Sydney Loss26–44 Jones, Lauitiiti, Tatupu, N.Vagana Ridge (5)10,945 [11]
26 AprilRound 7 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss14–38 Ropati, N.Vagana Ridge (3)7,500 [12]
2 MayRound 8 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney City Roosters Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Loss4–22 Oudenryn 5,308 [13]
8 MayRound 9 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla Sharks Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss8–20 Ropati Ridge (2)7,500 [14]
16 MayRound 10 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury Bulldogs Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Win20–6 Jones, Oudenryn, A.Swann Ridge (4)5,224 [15]
24 MayRound 11 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win25–14 Hoppe (2), N.Vagana (2) Ridge (4), Whittaker (FG)8,000 [16]
30 MayRound 12 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Loss6–14 Kearney Whittaker (1)13,218 [17]
7 JuneRound 13 Penrith colours.svg Penrith Panthers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win15–14 Ngamu, Whittaker Ngamu (3 & FG)7,000 [18]
13 JuneRound 14 Western Suburbs colours.svg Western Suburbs Magpies Campbelltown Sports Ground, Sydney Loss16–18 Jones, Oudenryn, Jones Ngamu (2)5,933 [19]
21 JuneRound 15 St. George colours.svg St. George Dragons Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win31–14 Eru, Jones, Kearney, Ropati, L.Swann Ngamu (5 & FG)8,300 [20]
27 JuneRound 16 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne Win24–21 Eru, Galuvao, Ngamu, Tatupu Ngamu (4)13,127 [21]
4 JulyRound 17 Illawarra colours.svg Illawarra Steelers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss17–14 Eur, Kearney, J.Vagana Jones (1)12,500 [22]
11 JulyRound 18 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Gold Coast Chargers Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast Loss18–31 Endacott, Eru, Staladi Ridge (3)5,490 [23]
17 JulyRound 19 Balmain colours.svg Balmain Tigers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win21–20 Ridge, Tatupu, N.Vagana Ridge (4), Jones (FG)6,000 [24]
26 JulyRound 20 Adelaide colours.svg Adelaide Rams Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide Loss20–22 Ridge, N.Vagana, J.Vagana Ridge (4)7,445 [25]
31 JulyRound 21 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Win34–18 N.Vagana (3), Iro (2), Staladi Ridge (5)4,500 [26]
9 AugustRound 22 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Loss18–20 Lauitiiti (2), Seuseu Ridge (3)3,733 [27]
16 AugustRound 23 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos ANZ Stadium, Brisbane Loss4–16 Ridge (2)16,456 [28]
23 AugustRound 24 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly Sea Eagles Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Loss12–38 Kearney, Lauitiiti Ridge (2)12,000 [29]

Kiwi Trial matches

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.

DateOpponentVenueResultScoreReport
17 September New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg New Zealand XIII Rugby Park, New Plymouth Win66–4 [30] [31] [32]
23 September New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg New Zealand XIII Carlaw Park, Auckland Win60–16 [33]

Ladder

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
1 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos (P)241815688310+37837
2 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights 241815562381+18137
3 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm 241716546372+17435
4 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 241716468349+11935
5 North Sydney colours.svg North Sydney Bears 241707663367+29634
6 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney City Roosters 241608680383+29732
7 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders 241509564429+13530
8 St. George colours.svg St. George Dragons 2413110486490-427
9 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2413011489411+7826
10 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2413011503473+3026
11 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2412111438387+5125
12 Illawarra colours.svg Illawarra Steelers 2411112476539-6323
13 Balmain colours.svg Balmain Tigers 249114381463-8219
14 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Penrith Panthers 248214525580-5518
15 Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors 249015417518-10118
16 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys 249015361556-19518
17 Adelaide colours.svg Adelaide Rams 247017393615-22214
18 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 245019339560-22110
19 Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Gold Coast Chargers 244020289654-3658
20 Western Suburbs colours.svg Western Suburbs Magpies 244020371802-4318

Squad

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

No.NameNationalityPositionWarriors Debut App TGFGPts
3 Sean Hoppe Flag of New Zealand.svg WG10 March 19951550020
6 Gene Ngamu Flag of New Zealand.svg FE10 March 199517319353
11 Stephen Kearney Flag of New Zealand.svg SR10 March 19952150020
12 Tony Tatupu Flag of New Zealand.svg SR10 March 19951940016
13 Tony Tuimavave Flag of New Zealand.svg PR / LK10 March 199590000
15 Tea Ropati Flag of New Zealand.svg CE / FE10 March 19951540016
18 Joe Vagana Flag of New Zealand.svg PR18 March 1995222008
19 Syd Eru Flag of New Zealand.svg HK28 March 19951340016
24 Stacey Jones Flag of New Zealand.svg HB23 April 19952461127
29 Marc Ellis Flag of New Zealand.svg FB / WG31 March 199620000
32 Nigel Vagana Flag of New Zealand.svg CE4 April 199623130052
33 Awen Guttenbeil Flag of New Zealand.svg SR14 April 1996100000
36 Anthony Swann Flag of New Zealand.svg CE23 June 199691004
37 Brady Malam Flag of New Zealand.svg PR23 June 1996240000
38 Bryan Henare Flag of New Zealand.svg SR23 July 199610000
40 Matthew Ridge Flag of New Zealand.svg FB1 March 1997182510110
42 Logan Swann Flag of New Zealand.svg SR1 March 1997241004
44 Shane Endacott Flag of New Zealand.svg FE29 March 1997171004
45 Paul Staladi Flag of New Zealand.svg WG27 April 1997112008
47 Lee Oudenryn Flag of Australia (converted).svg WG6 July 19972030012
48 Aaron Whittaker Flag of New Zealand.svg HB29 June 199771117
50 Jerry Seu Seu Flag of New Zealand.svg PR16 August 1997172008
51 Kevin Iro Flag of New Zealand.svg CE13 March 1998162008
52 Quentin Pongia Flag of New Zealand.svg PR13 March 1998180000
53 Tyran Smith Flag of New Zealand.svg SR13 March 1998101004
54 Zane Clarke Flag of the Cook Islands.svg HK13 March 199850000
55 Ali Lauitiiti Flag of New Zealand.svg SR19 April 1998840016
56 Joe Galuvao Flag of New Zealand.svg FB / CE2 May 1998111004
57 Frank Watene Flag of New Zealand.svg PR23 August 199810000

Staff

Coaching Staff

Transfers

Gains

PlayerPrevious ClubLengthNotes
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

PlayerClubNotes
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

PlayerClubNotes
Marc Ellis North Harbour Rugby Union [1]

Other Teams

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]

DateOpponentResultScoreVenueReport
March–April Auckland Win26–24Auckland
March–April Auckland Win26–24Auckland
26 April Waikato Cougars Win54–0 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland [35]
2 May Canterbury Reds Win35–0 Rugby League Park, Christchurch
24 May Canterbury Reds Win38–14 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Northland Wild Boars Win54–12Jubilee Park, Whangarei
Waikato Cougars Win76–0Resthills Park, Hamilton
Coastline Mariners Win66–6Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
West Coast Chargers Win56–2 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
West Coast Chargers Win46–8 Wingham Park, West Coast
Hawkes Bay Unicorns Win90–10Nelson Park, Hastings
Manawatu Mustangs Win32–10 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Manawatu Mustangs Win54–4Foxton
Wellington Pumas Win50–18 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Wellington Pumas Win44–10Hutt Valley
Taranaki Sharks Win42–8New Plymouth
Taranaki Sharks Win56–10 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
August Auckland Win28–24 Ericsson Stadium, Auckland

Awards

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

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References

  1. 1 2 New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.58
  2. Rugby League Teams rugbyleague.co.nz
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  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