The New Zealand Warriors 2012 season is the New Zealand Warriors 18th first-grade season. The club is competing in Australasia's National Rugby League. The coach of the team was Brian McClennan, until he was sacked on 21 August after Round 22, while Simon Mannering is the club's captain. Assistant Coach Tony Iro was appointed caretaker coach for the final two matches.
Milestones 4 February – All Stars Match: Manu Vatuvei represents the NRL All Stars in the pre-season All Stars Match. 5 March – Round One: Ben Henry and Konrad Hurrell make their first grade debuts while Nathan Friend plays his first match for the Warriors. 24 March – Round Four: Simon Mannering played in his 150th NRL match and his 50th match as captain.Mannering joining Warrior greats New Zealand Herald, 24 March 2012Mannering brings up double milestone New Zealand Herald, 22 March 2012 12 May – Round 10: Ukuma Ta'ai played in his 50th NRL match. 16 June – Round 15: Omar Slaimankhel made his first grade debut. 16 June – Round 15: Ben Matulino played in his 100th NRL match. He became the first player from the Toyota Cup to play 100 matches in the National Rugby League.Matulino first NYC graduate to 100 NRL games rleague.com, 19 June 2012 11 August – Round 23: Manu Vatuvei becomes the first player to score 100 tries for the club.Warriors humiliated by Cowboys in Townsville stuff.co.nz, 11 August 2012 11 August – Round 23: Bill Tupou played in his 50th NRL match. 19 August – Round 24: Manu Vatuvei played in his 150th NRL match. 19 August – Round 24: Feleti Mateo played in his 50th match for the club. 2 September – Round 26: In Micheal Luck's last NRL match, the Warriors lost their eight straight match, a record for the club.Warriors exposed in record losing streak The Press, 3 September 2012 The streak included two back-to-back losses involving comebacks of eighteen points or more, an NRL first.
Jersey and sponsors In 2012 the Warriors jerseys is again to be made by Canterbury of New Zealand. They were unveiled on 21 November 2011 at the first day of training. The jerseys feature a traditional rugby league "v" for the first time since 2003.Warriors suit up for 2012 NRL season The Press, 21 November 2011
The Junior Warriors play in a red strip with a white away jersey.
Change of ownership On 2 March owner Eric Watson announced that he had bought out the minority shareholders, including Mark Hotchin, and would form a new 50–50 venture with Owen Glenn to control the club.Billionaire Owen Glenn takes Warriors stake stuff.co.nz, 2 March 2012Glenn buys share of the Warriors New Zealand Herald, 2 March 2012
Fixtures
The Warriors opened the season by hosting a match at Eden Park in Auckland. This was only the second time that the Warriors have played a home match away from Mount Smart Stadium. The remaining 11 home games will be played at Mount Smart Stadium, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.
Pre-season training The main squad returned to training on 21 November 2011 to start preparing for the 2012 season.Preseason just days away warriors.co.nz, 16 November 2011 Players involved in the 2011 Four Nations and other representative matches returned to training later. Twenty three first graders were present on the first day of training.Easy does it for new Warriors coach New Zealand Herald, 21 November 2011
Pre-season matches North Harbour Stadium hosted a Warriors trial match for the tenth time.Warriors to trial on the North Shore New Zealand Herald, 11 November 2011 The Warriors also played a match in Whangārei.Warriors confirm return to Whangarei New Zealand Herald, 14 November 2011 Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report4 FebruaryTrial 1 Gold Coast TitansNorth Harbour Stadium, AucklandWin26–10Hurrell, Brown, Johnson, Fisiiahi, TupouMaloney (2)10,500Life under Brian starts well New Zealand Herald, 5 February 201211 FebruaryTrial 2 South Sydney RabbitohsBCU International Stadium, Coffs HarbourWin22–14Vatuvei (2), Mannering, HurrellJohnson (2), Maloney5,376Vatuavei double powers Warriors to another trial win rleague.com, 11 February 201219 FebruaryTrial 3 Sunshine Coast Sea EaglesToll Stadium, WhangāreiWin68–10Penehe (2), Matulino (2), Mara, Godinet, Ta'ai, Locke, Inu, Brown, Ropati, Fishiiahi, HenryInu (4), Locke (3), Henry 9,000Warriors unscathed after latest trial victory New Zealand Herald, 19 February 2012
Regular season Date Round Opponent Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report4 MarchRound 1 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesEden Park, AucklandLoss20–26Vatuvei (2), Johnson, LockeMaloney (2)37,50212 MarchRound 2 Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, SydneyWin36–20Tupou (2), Mateo, Hurrell, Maloney, LockeMaloney (6)12,00018 MarchRound 3 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss18–32Maloney, Lousi, MateoMaloney (3)17,06724 MarchRound 4 Gold Coast TitansMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin26–6Johnson (2), Taylor, Vatuvei, ManneringMaloney (3)12,91531 MarchRound 5 Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss26–8Ropati, Fisiiahi13,0218 AprilRound 6 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium, CanberraLoss12–32Henry, MaloneyMaloney (2)10,80015 AprilRound 7 South Sydney RabbitohsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin44–22Mannering (2), Henry, Brown, Ropati, Tupou, Ta'ai, InuMaloney (6)15,37825 AprilRound 8 Melbourne StormAAMI Park, MelbourneLoss14–32Tupou (2), BrownMaloney (1)20,3335 MayRound 9 Brisbane BroncosMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin30–20Henry, Johnson, Taylor, Lillyman, MateoMaloney (5)19,01212 MayRound 10 Sydney RoostersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin30–26Hurrell (2), Johnson (2), VatuveiMaloney (5)16,22018 MayRound 11 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval, SydneyLoss22–24Hurrell (2), Henry, TupouMaloney (3)16,406Round 12Bye3 JuneRound 13 Melbourne StormMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss12–22Hurrell, VatuveiMaloney (2)20,48711 JuneRound 14 Penrith PanthersCentrebet Stadium, SydneyWin30–16Vatuvei (2), Hurrell, Locke, MaloneyMaloney (5)5,77816 JuneRound 15 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksToyota Stadium, SydneyLoss19–20Hurrell, Locke, JohnsonMaloney (3 & FG)9,271Round 16Bye1 JulyRound 17 North Queensland CowboysMount Smart Stadium, AucklandWin35–18Henry (2), Hurrell, Lillyman, Friend, BrownMaloney (5 & FG)15,2748 JulyRound 18 Gold Coast TitansSkilled Park, Gold CoastWin32–14Hurrell (3), Johnson, Locke, MatunlinoMaloney (4)17,13413 JulyRound 19 Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium, BrisbaneLoss8–10Locke, Vatuvei32,14821 JulyRound 20 Newcastle KnightsMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss19–24Johnson, Matulino, FriendMaloney (3 & FG)15,11229 JulyRound 21 Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesPatersons Stadium, PerthLoss22–24Locke, Johnson, Brown, VatuveiMaloney (3)20,0955 AugustRound 22 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss4–45Tupou13,81211 AugustRound 23 North Queensland CowboysDairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleLoss12–52Tuimavave, VatuveiMalony (2)13,61619 AugustRound 24 Penrith PanthersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss16–18Henry (2), JohnsonMalony (2)11,00025 AugustRound 25 St George-Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium, WollongongLoss6–38JohnsonMalony (1)11,2612 SeptemberRound 26 Canberra RaidersMount Smart Stadium, AucklandLoss42–22Vatuvei (2), Matulino, GodinetHenry (2), Maloney11,455
Ladder
Squad
The Warriors used twenty nine players during the season. Seven players made their debut for the club, including six who were making their NRL debuts – all of these players were graduates from the Warriors Toyota Cup programme. No.NamePositionWarriors debutAppTGFGPts 108CE31 August 200382008 115WG23 May 200420120048 125SR26 June 20051930012 126LK12 March 200660000 131PR20 May 200670000 141PR4 May 2008240000 142PR14 June 20082230012 146PR14 March 2009162008 149SR22 March 2009121004 151SR3 May 20092440016 152FB/WG31 May 20091470028 156FE14 March 2010244673153 159SR14 March 2010221004 160WG4 April 20102370028 162HK21 August 201060000 163FB12 March 201141004 164SR12 March 20112430012 166WG/CE19 March 201131004 167SR3 April 2011232008 168HB4 June 201122120048 169SR4 June 201160000 170HB/HK24 July 201141004 171CE/SR4 March 20122482036 172HK4 March 2012172008 173CE4 March 201217120048 174FB16 June 201250000 175SR21 July 201220000 176LK28 July 201240000 177FE5 August 201251004
Staff Chief executive officer: Wayne Scurrah General manager: Don Mann Jr Recruitment and development manager: Dean Bell High performance manager: Craig WalkerIro, Ackland and Walker to remain with Warriors under McClennan rleague.com, 27 August 2011 High performance assistant: Ruben Wiki Medical services manager: John Mayhew Welfare and education manager: Jerry Seuseu Media and communications manager: Richard Becht
NRL staff NRL head coach: Brian McClennan, until 21 August 2012, replaced by Tony Iro.McClennan dismayed at Warriors axing stuff.co.nz, 21 August 2012 NRL assistant coach: Tony Iro Defence coach: Ruben WikiMcClennan left singing the blues New Zealand Herald, 26 August 2012 Halves coach: Andrew JohnsWarriors boss denies rift with Ivan Cleary stuff.co.nz, 9 October 2011
NYC staff NYC head coach & assistant NRL coach: John Ackland Development coach: Willie SwannWarriors add teen Palavi on three-year deal stuff.co.nz, 16 February 2012
Transfers
Gains Player Previous club Length NotesNathan Friend Gold Coast Titans2013 with optionFriend says first priority is Titans goldcoast.com.au, 12 April 2011Brian McClennan Leeds Rhinos2012–2013 with optionCoach
Losses Player Club NotesLance HohaiaSt Helens R.F.C.Hohaia confirms four year contract with St Helens rleague.com, 12 April 2011Aaron HeremaiaHull F.C.Brett SeymourHull F.C.Jeremy LatimoreSt. George Illawarra DragonsDragons sign Matthews, Latimore nrl.com, 5 July 2011Joel MoonSalford City RedsSalford sign Joel Moon and Jordan James rleague.com, 10 September 2011Shaun BerriganCanberra RaidersRaiders sign Shaun Berrigan rleague.com, 19 October 2011Isaac JohnWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield sign Isaac John code13rugbyleague.com, 29 October 2011Ivan ClearyPenrith PanthersCoachAdam HenrySydney RoostersJames GavetCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsAnthony GellingWigan WarriorsSosaia FekiCronulla-Sutherland SharksNRL 2012: Team roster analysis – who’s in and who’s out theroar.com.au
Mid-season Losses Player Club NotesKrisnan InuCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs24 MayInu leaves the Warriors to join Bulldogs New Zealand Herald, 24 May 2012
Junior team In 2012 the Junior Warriors competed in the Toyota Cup, while senior players who are not required for the first team play with the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup.
Awards Ben Matulino won the club's Player of the Year award. Ben Henry was named Young Player of the Year and Elijah Taylor was the clubman of the year.Matulino wins Player of the Year New Zealand Herald, 4 October 2012 Konrad Hurrell was the Vodafone People's choice award winner.Matulino's Night NZ League, Issue 4 Sept/October
References
External links Warriors official site Warriors 2012 season rugby league project