KEY POINTS:
With the Warriors only one game away from the grand final, we at nzherald.co.nz have come up with a team of past and current Warriors players we feel would definitely do the job against Manly on Saturday night - the Warriors dream team.
The only criteria for the
team is that they have to have played for the Warriors, hence the selection of a few players who spent time at Mt Smart but played their best football at other clubs.
Send us your Warriors dream team by clicking on the Your Views link on the right.
Fullback: Brent Webb
Brent Webb joined the Warriors as a rookie in 2002 and with the departure of Ivan Cleary, he secured the fullback jersey the following year. Reliable in defence and explosive on attack, Webb developed into the one of the side's major attacking threats through to his departure in 2006. In what was the hardest position to choose, Webb's ball-playing ability got him the nod over other contenders, including Cleary, Wade McKinnon and Matthew Ridge.
Wing: Francis Meli
Francis Meli played his first game for the Warriors in 1999 but it wasn't until the arrival of coach Daniel Anderson two years later when this big blockbusting winger really started to shine. A threat on the ground or in the air, Meli holds the club record for most tries in a season (23 in 2003) and also holds the NRL record for most tries in a finals match (five against the Bulldogs in 2003).
Centre: Clinton Toopi
Another who flourished under the tutelage of Daniel Anderson, in 2002-03 Clinton Toopi was one of the most exciting players in the NRL. He formed a lethal left-side combination with Meli and Ali Lauitiiti and although he was prone to the odd error, there was no denying his attacking prowess.
Centre: Nigel Vagana
Nigel Vagana had two stints with the Warriors in 1996 and 1998-2000. The Bulldogs poached Vagana in his prime and he went on to play his best football at Canterbury and Cronulla before rounding off his career with Souths. Although the Warriors did not see the best of him, a player with 157 tries is too good to leave out of this side.
Wing: Sean Hoppe
One of the original Warriors and a New Zealand rugby league favourite. Sean Hoppe spent three years dazzling the NRL with Canberra and North Sydney before joining the Warriors and his form continued at Mt Smart. In 88 games for the club, Hoppe scored 44 tries and held the record for most tries in a season (19) until it was surpassed by Meli in 2003.
Stand-off: Greg Alexander
The selection of Greg Alexander shows how poorly served the Warriors have been in the halves over the years. A NSW and Australian rep, Alexander was undoubtedly a great player but played his best football with Penrith. He had two seasons at Mt Smart in 1995-96 but there has not been player of his calibre to don the No 6 jersey since.
Halfback: Stacey Jones
The first name picked for this side. Stacey Jones holds all sorts of records with the club, including most games (238), most tries (75) and most points (654). The only blot in his career was that he was never able to capture an NRL premiership, however, his try in the 2002 Grand Final against the Roosters is a lasting memory among New Zealand league fans.
Prop: Ruben Wiki
A name you just can't leave off your list. Ruben Wiki forged a great career at Canberra before finally joining the Warriors in 2004 (he signed with the club in 1995 but opted to stay with the Raiders). The only New Zealander to play over 300 NRL games, Wiki's departure at the end of the season is the motivation behind the club's stunning finals run this year.
Hooker: PJ Marsh
Diminutive hooker PJ Marsh arrived from Parramatta as the answer to the club's five-eighth problems but found his calling in the No 9 jersey. His acceleration out of dummyhalf and aggressive defence around the ruck were highlights of his game which saw him earn State of Origin honours for Queensland.
Prop: Steve Price
Along with Wiki, Steve Price just gets better with age and his arrival in 2005 gave the side the much-needed leadership it was lacking following a poor 2004 season. Is always there to cart the ball up and has the ability to play a lot of minutes, which is vital for a prop in the days of limited interchange.
Second row: Ali Lauitiiti
Once described as the "Michael Jordan of rugby league" by former Warriors coach Mark Graham, Ali Lauitiiti possessed freakish talents that are yet to be repeated on a football field. At over 110kg, he had the footwork of a halfback and had the rare ability to get the ball away no matter how many defenders were hanging off him.
Second row: Stephen Kearney
Stephen Kearney joined the Warriors in 1995 and played 79 games for the club up until 1998. A ball-playing back rower with an aggressive defensive game, the Warriors may have missed out on the best of Kearney with the former Kiwis captain taking Melbourne to the premiership the year after he left the Warriors.
Lock: Kevin Campion
Kevin Campion was the backbone of the side which took the Warriors to their first finals campaign in 2001 and first grand final in 2002. An uncompromising defender, he instilled a hard edge to a Warriors side known for their flamboyant style of football.
- NZ HERALD STAFF