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Home / Sport / League / Warriors

Are these players the top five Warriors of all time?

Michael Burgess
By Michael Burgess
Senior Sports Journalist·NZ Herald·
10 Jul, 2015 01:00 AM5 mins to read

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Manu Vatuvei has been named one of the top five Warriors of all time. Photo / Getty

Manu Vatuvei has been named one of the top five Warriors of all time. Photo / Getty

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There have been 201 men who have pulled on the Warriors jersey since 1995.

The latest is Papatoetoe Panthers winger Ken Maumalo, who made his NRL debut against Souths in Perth last month.

Some played only one or two games, while others such as Stacey Jones, Lance Hohaia and Logan Swann have collectively totalled hundreds.

As part of their 20th anniversary celebrations, the club polled a host of former players, media, fans and other identities to find the top five players in their history. They are:

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For many, Jones is the enduring symbol of the club. A local boy - from the Pt Chevalier Pirates club - he made his debut midway through the 1995 season. The 19-year-old was so good, he soon pushed star recruit Greg Alexander out of the No 7 jersey and became the key playmaker. Jones epitomised the original vision for the Warriors, a Kiwi player who had the flair, vision and skill to match Australia's best.

His spectacular solo touchdown in the 2002 grand final was unforgettable, one of 77 tries he scored for the club.

He didn't play behind a dominant pack until the second half of his career but his loyalty to the club through barren years just added another layer to his lustre.

Surely the most successful rugby convert of all time. Within months of playing his first league game as a senior at Nelson College, Mannering was in the Warriors system. He made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2005 and was soon one of the first picked. Evolved from a swift centre to a dynamic second rower to an ultra-solid lock forward.

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His durability is legendary - he has played at least 18 games every season since 2007 - through injuries or illness that would have flattened others. The 28-year-old broke Steve Price's captaincy record last year and has been named the club's Player of the Year four times, in 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Made his debut a decade after he was meant to, but was quick to make up for lost time. Alongside Steve Price, Wiki helped rebuild the club after the calamitous end to the Mick Watson era.

Led a new, tougher culture at the club and was an inspiration for the likes of Mannering, Manu Vatuvei and Ben Matulino. Was at the forefront of finals campaigns in 2007 and 2008 and became a cult figure in a relatively short time. The 2005 Player of the Year.

If Wiki is the ultimate warrior, then Vatuvei is the ultimate finisher. He has amassed a staggering try-scoring record - third among active players with 148 - and would be a superstar if based on the other side of the Tasman. The Beast has also been incredibly consistent and recently become the first player in NRL history to score at least 10 tries in 10 consecutive seasons. Shows no signs of slowing and has become more consistent in recent years.

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Luck was an unheralded signing in 2006 but soon became a fan favourite. The North Queenslander often bled for the cause, and it was estimated Luck received more than 300 stitches during his time at the club. He set several defensive records during his tenure, and once made 74 tackles in a game against the Melbourne Storm. Voted Player of the Year in 2009.

Other outstanding Warriors

Michael Burgess looks at six other players who have played pivotal roles with the Warriors.

Lance Hohaia
2001-2011
185 games
In a long career, Hohaia was supremely consistent across a wide range of positions, from fullback to hooker. The only player to figure in both Warriors grand finals appearances.

Steve Price
2005-2008
91 games
Set new standards on and off the field and remains popular among fans. Named 2007 Dally M Captain and Prop of the Year, when he ran for more metres that any forward in history, including 323m in one game. The club's 2006 and 2007 Player of the Year.

Shaun Johnson
2011-
98 games
Still has much of his career ahead but a case could be made. Was at the heart of the Warriors run to the 2011 grand final and is the most exciting home-grown player since Jones, maybe ever.

Ben Matulino
2008-
167 games
Probably the best all-round prop to have played at the club. The first Holden Cup graduate to achieve 100 games. Is still only 26 and, like Johnson, has time on his side. The 2012 Player of the Year.

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Kevin Campion
2001-2002
44 games
A brief but brutal time at the Warriors. Helped turn around the club's fortunes in the early 2000s and taught a generation of forwards at the club about toughness.

Ali Lauitiiti
1998-2004
115 games
An incredible natural talent. Named the best second rower in the NRL in 2002, when he was called the Michael Jordan of league. Left way too soon - a black mark against Daniel Anderson and Mick Watson - but still racked up more than 100 games.

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