The NZ Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) have a huge talent base to work with but that doesn't always translate into success. NRL clubs from across the Tasman have been coming over for years and tempting young lads with potential to join them. Most of the players don't make the cut, many end up playing in lower league competitions in Australia.
For those that are retained by the Warriors, the club hasn't delivered to the level it should have done. Initially, money that could have been pumped into the club had to pay travel expenses for all teams. Not a way to help a new franchise. Early on, some of the officiating was decidedly against them but that is a thing of the past. Travel isn't helpful but other clubs have overcome that hurdle. Management at times has been average to put it kindly.
For all that, since their inception in 1995, they have never picked up a wooden spoon. They have also been to two grand finals, in 2002 and 2011. Eight times they have made the playoffs but not usually finished high enough in the league to reduce travel, which is fatiguing. The higher you finish, the more home games and a chance for more byes.
Since 2000, we can see by the timeline at the base of the chart the coaches used. In 2000, it was Mark Graham who had taken up the coaching position in 1999. While he was voted the greatest player NZ produced for the first century of the game in NZ, his coaching didn't reach those heights.
In came Daniel Anderson in 2001 with the best passage of the club's history during his tenure. A poor 2004 had Tony Kemp brought in but lasted 37 games before being replaced by Former player Ivan Cleary. He did well in the 164 matches he was involved in. That was followed by a flurry of coaches, Brian McClennan, Matthew Elliott, Andrew McFadden before a longer run with former player Stephen Kearny. The 79 games he coached matched exactly the number of games he played for the club.
In 2020, coaching novice Todd Payten came in for 14 games and did very well in trying circumstances. He then decided to move on in his fledgling career and the experienced Nathan Brown has stepped up to the plate in 2021. It was a squad that attacked with some flair but lacked the ability to defend with enough resilience. You won't go too far without the defence in order.
That was sorted in 2023 with the arrival of Jake Webster as coach. The season started slowly and finished a bit weak but a hot patch in between had them finishing an amazing fourth, based around good defence. That exceeded all expectations but after the sacrifices they made during Covid, not begrudged by anyone.
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