2002 New Zealand Warriors season

The New Zealand Warriors 2002 season was the New Zealand Warriors 8th first-grade season. The club competed in Australasia's National Rugby League. The coach of the team was Daniel Anderson while Stacey Jones was the club captain. The club finished the year as minor premiers and made the grand final for the first time, however they were defeated 30–8 by the Sydney Roosters.

2002 New Zealand Warriors season
NRL Rank1st
2002 recordWins: 17; draws: 0; losses: 7
Points scoredFor: 688; against: 454
Team information
CEOMick Watson
CoachDaniel Anderson
Assistant coachTony Kemp
Captains
StadiumEricsson Stadium
Avg. attendance16,529
Top scorers
TriesClinton Toopi (18)
GoalsIvan Cleary (105)
PointsIvan Cleary (242)
< 2001 2003 >

Milestones
  • 14 April – Round 5: The Warriors have a then record win (68–10) over the Northern Eagles.
  • 14 April – Round 5: Stacey Jones played in his 150th first grade match for the club, the first person to reach the milestone.
  • 14 April – Round 5: Ivan Cleary scores 28 points in a match (1 try, 12 goals), equaling the club's point scoring record set by Gene Ngamu in 1996.
  • 23 June – Round 15: Henry Fa'afili played in his 50th match for the club.
  • 18 August – Round 23: Clinton Toopi played in his 50th match for the club.
  • 1 September – Round 25: Jerry Seuseu played in his 100th match for the club.
  • 6 September – Round 26: Ivan Cleary played in his 50th match for the club.
  • The Warriors claim the NRL minor premiership for the first time. The Warriors received A$100,000 prize money for finishing the regular season as minor premiers.[1]
  • Daniel Anderson is named Dally M Coach of the Year and Ali Lauitiiti Dally M Second Rower of the Year.
  • 15 September: – The Warriors host their first finals match, beating Canberra 36–20 at a sold-out Ericsson Stadium.

Jersey and sponsors

The Warriors had a New Jersey in 2002, completely moving away from the blue and white that had been the club's colours. The 2001 jersey was retained as an away strip.

Fixtures
See also: List of New Zealand Warriors results

The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 2002, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.

Pre-season trials
DateOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
17 February Cronulla SharksJade Stadium, ChristchurchDraw30–30
24 February South Sydney RabbitohsCarlaw Park, AucklandWin24–20Guttenbeil, Campion, Villasanti, FaumuinaCleary (4)14,000
9 March West Auckland CowboysWaitakere Stadium, AucklandWin66–24

Regular season
DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Round 1Bye
24 MarchRound 2 Sydney RoostersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin21–14Lauiti'iti (2), Carlaw, MeliCleary (2), Jones (FG)14,378
1 AprilRound 3 Newcastle KnightsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss14–32Jones, Meli, WebbCleary (1)13,456
6 AprilRound 4 North Queensland CowboysDairy Farmers Stadium, TownsvilleWin50–20Jones (2), Carlaw, Cleary, Faumuina, Hohaia, Tookey, ToopiCleary (8), Jones (1)9,657
14 AprilRound 5 Northern EaglesEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin68–10Jones (3), Faumuina (2), Toopi (2), Cleary, Hohaia, Seuseu, WebbCleary (12)12,563
20 AprilRound 6 Canterbury BulldogsWestpac Stadium, WellingtonLoss20–28Cleary, Koopu, ToopiCleary (4)24,251
27 AprilRound 7 Melbourne StormEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin20–10Fa'afili, Guttenbeil, Meli, ToopiCleary (2)11,404
5 MayRound 8 Wests TigersCampbelltown Sports Ground, SydneyWin36–14Tookey (2), Carlaw, Hohaia, Koopu, TonyCleary (6)13,658
12 MayRound 9 South Sydney RabbitohsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin25–18Toopi (2), Campion, GuttenbeilCleary (4), Marsh (FG)14,765
17 MayRound 10 Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium, NewcastleWin34–12Toopi (2), Cleary, Hohaia, Tony, WebbCleary (5)16,361
25 MayRound 11 Melbourne StormOlympic Park Stadium, MelbourneWin28–12Guttenbeil, Hohaia, Murphy, TonyCleary (6)8,873
2 JuneRound 12 Cronulla SharksEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin42–20Guttenbeil (2), Hohaia, Koopu, Toopi, Villasanti, WebbCleary (7)17,050
9 JuneRound 13 North Queensland CowboysEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin34–6Lauiti'iti (2), Fa'afili, Hohaia, Marsh, ToopiCleary (4), Jones (1)14,616
15 JuneRound 14 South Sydney RabbitohsSydney Football Stadium, SydneyWin46–10Fa'afili (2), Cleary, Lauiti'iti, Marsh, Morgan, Murphy, TookeyCleary (7)8,658
23 JuneRound 15 St. George Illawarra DragonsEricsson Stadium, AucklandLoss22–32Carlaw, Fa'afili, Lauiti'iti, Toopi, WebbJones (1)15,303
30 JuneRound 16 Brisbane BroncosANZ Stadium, BrisbaneWin26–16Webb (2), Fa'afili, Morgan, ToopiCleary (2), Jones (1)24,907
7 JulyRound 17 Cronulla SharksToyota Park, SydneyLoss24–36Tony (2), Carlaw, SeuseuCleary (4)15,196
Round 18Bye
21 JulyRound 19 Parramatta EelsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin26–10Webb, Lauiti'iti, Murphy, VillasantiCleary (5)15,563
27 JulyRound 20 Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium, CanberraLoss30–38Toopi (2), V.Anderson, Lauiti'iti, WebbCleary (5)8,702
4 AugustRound 21 Penrith PanthersCUA Stadium, SydneyWin38–24Swann (2), Carlaw, Jones, Lauiti'iti, Seuseu, ToopiCleary (5)10,723
10 AugustRound 22 Canterbury BulldogsEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin22–14Cleary, Koopu, Meli, MylesCleary (3)21,570
18 AugustRound 23 Brisbane BroncosEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin18–4Cleary (2), MeliCleary (3)22,125
25 AugustRound 24 Sydney RoostersSydney Football Stadium, SydneyLoss0–4418,186
1 SeptemberRound 25 Northern EaglesBrookvale Oval, SydneyLoss16–18Guttenbeil, Murphy, TookeyJones (2)7,529
6 SeptemberRound 26 Wests TigersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin28–12Koopu (2), Villasanti (2), ToopiHohaia (4)16,284

Final series
DateRoundOpponentVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
15 SeptemberQualifying Final Canberra RaidersEricsson Stadium, AucklandWin36–20Carlaw, Fa'afili, Jones, Lauiti'iti, Meli, TookeyCleary (6)25,800
Semi FinalBye
29 SeptemberPreliminary Final Cronulla SharksTelstra Stadium, SydneyWin16–10Carlaw, Tony, ToopiCleary (2)45,702

Grand Final
Main article: 2002 NRL Grand Final
Sydney Position New Zealand
Luke PhillipsFBIvan Cleary
Brett MullinsWGJustin Murphy
Shannon HegartyCEJohn Carlaw
Justin HodgesCEClinton Toopi
Anthony MinichielloWGFrancis Meli
Brad Fittler (C)FEMotu Tony
Craig WingHBStacey Jones (C)
Jason CaylessPRJerry Seu Seu
Simon BonettiHKPJ Marsh
Peter CusackPRMark Tookey
Adrian MorleySRAli Lauiti'iti
Craig FitzgibbonSRAwen Guttenbeil
Luke RicketsonLKKevin Campion
Chris FlanneryBenchLance Hohaia
Bryan FletcherBenchLogan Swann
Michael CrockerBenchWairangi Koopu
Andrew LomuBenchRichard Villasanti
Ricky StuartCoachDaniel Anderson

First Half

In the 23rd minute, Sydney opened the scoring with a try to Shannon Hegarty with Craig Fitzgibbon converting taking Sydney to a 6–0 lead. Not long after, Ivan Cleary got New Zealand on the board with a penalty goal making the score 6–2, which remained that scoreline until halftime.

Second Half

In the 46th minute, New Zealand took the lead for the first time through a Stacey Jones try and an Ivan Cleary conversion taking the scoreline to 8–6. Approaching the 60th minute, Sydney regained the lead with Craig Wing scoring the try and Craig Fitgibbon converting another to make the score 12–8 after a spectacular 40/20 kick from Sydney captain Brad Fittler. In the last 15 minutes Craig Fitzgibbon, Chris Flannery and Bryan Fletcher scored tries for Sydney with Craig Fizgibbon converting all three to take Sydney to a 30–8 win. By winning the grand final the Roosters also received A$400,000 in prize money.

30

Sydney Roosters

Tries Hegarty, Wing, Fitzgibbon, Flannery, Fletcher
Goals Fitzgibbon 5/5
Field Goals
8 New Zealand home jersey 2001.svg

New Zealand Warriors

Tries Jones
Goals Cleary 2/2
Field Goals

Clive Churchill Medal: Craig Fitzgibbon

When They Scored

23rd Minute: Sydney 6–0 (Hegarty try; Fitzgibbon goal)
29th Minute: Sydney 6–2 (Cleary goal)
46th Minute: New Zealand 8–6 (Jones try; Cleary goal)
58th Minute: Sydney 12–8 (Wing try; Fitzgibbon goal)
65th Minute: Sydney 18–8 (Fitzgibbon try; Fitzgibbon goal)
71st Minute: Sydney 24–8 (Flannery try; Fitzgibbon goal)
75th Minute: Sydney 30–8 (Fletcher try; Fitzgibbon goal)

Ladder
2002 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 New Zealand Warriors 2417072688454+23438
2 Newcastle Knights 2417072724498+22638
3 Brisbane Broncos 2416172672425+24737
4 Sydney Roosters (P) 2415182621405+21635
5 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2415092653597+5634
6 Parramatta Eels 24102122531440+9126
7 St George Illawarra Dragons 2493122632546+8625
8 Canberra Raiders 24101132471641-17025
9 Northern Eagles 24100142503740-23724
10 Melbourne Storm 2491142556586-3023
11 North Queensland Cowboys 2480162496803-30720
12 Penrith Panthers 2470172546654-10818
13 Wests Tigers 2470172498642-14418
14 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2450192385817-43214
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2420132707435+27281

1 The Bulldogs were deducted 37 premiership points due to gross salary cap breaches.

Squad
See also: List of New Zealand Warriors players

Twenty-nine players were used by the Warriors in 2002, including six players who made their first grade debuts.

No.NameNationalityPositionWarriors DebutAppTGFGPts
24Stacey JonesNew ZealandHB23 April 19952496149
33Awen GuttenbeilNew Zealand / TongaSR14 April 19962360024
42Logan SwannNew ZealandSR1 March 1997172008
50Jerry Seu SeuNew Zealand / SamoaPR16 August 19972330012
55Ali LauitiitiNew Zealand / SamoaSR19 April 199825100040
61Monty BethamNew Zealand / SamoaHK / LK8 March 199920000
64Wairangi KoopuNew ZealandCE / SR9 April 19992260024
65Francis MeliNew Zealand / SamoaWG2 May 19991660024
66Clinton ToopiNew ZealandCE2 May 199926180072
73Ivan ClearyAustraliaFB / CE6 February 20002681050242
76Mark TookeyAustraliaPR6 February 20002460024
77David MylesAustraliaCE14 February 200031004
80Shontayne HapeNew ZealandCE18 March 200010000
81Henry Fa'afiliNew Zealand / SamoaWG26 March 20001770028
86Kevin CampionAustralia / IrelandLK18 February 2001211004
87Richard VillasantiAustralia / TongaPR18 February 20012040016
88Justin MorganWalesPR25 February 2001172008
90Motu TonyNew Zealand / SamoaUH9 March 20011860024
92Justin MurphyFranceWG7 April 20011840016
93Iafeta PaleaaesinaNew Zealand / SamoaPR1 June 2001110000
95John CarlawAustraliaCE24 March 20022580032
96PJ MarshAustraliaHB / HK24 March 2002242019
97Brent WebbNew ZealandFB1 April 20021790036
98Sione FaumuinaNew ZealandCE / LK1 April 2002830012
99Lance HohaiaNew ZealandUB6 April 20022074036
100Vinnie AndersonNew Zealand / TongaCE7 July 200261004
101Jeremiah PaiNew ZealandFE / LK21 July 200220000
102Evarn TuimavaveNew ZealandPR1 September 200220000
103Karl TemataCook IslandsPR / SR6 September 200210000

Staff

Coaching staff

Transfers

Gains
PlayerPrevious ClubLengthNotes
John CarlawWests Tigers
PJ MarshParramatta Eels
Brent WebbWests Panthers
Sione FaumuinaCanberra Raiders

Losses
PlayerClubNotes
Richie BlackmoreRetired
Jason DeathSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
Cliff BeverleyBarrow Raiders
Jonathan Smith
Nathan WoodWakefield Trinity Wildcats
Jason TemuRetired

Other teams

Players not required by the Warriors were released to play in the 2002 Bartercard Cup. This included Iafeta Paleaaesina and Karl Temata for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, Sione Faumuina for the Glenora Bears, Evarn Tuimavave for the Marist-Richmond Brothers, Vinnie Anderson for the Mount Albert Lions, Jeremiah Pai for the Otahuhu Leopards, Logan Swann for the Eastern Tornadoes and Henry Fa'afili and Lance Hohaia for the Manurewa Marlins.

Awards

Ali Lauiti'iti won the club's Player of the Year award.[3]

References
  1. NZPA (5 October 2002). "Sorry guys, the cheque's not in the mail". The New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  2. Mann named to head foundation New Zealand Herald, 19 March 2003
  3. New Zealand Rugby League Annual 2002, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 2002. p.50
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