NRL: Warriors all-time team

With the New Zealand Warriors making only their second ever grand final appearance since 1995, I started thinking about all those players who have tried to win the holy grail of Australian rugby league. This is my team:

Fullback: Brent Webb (notable mentions – Ivan Cleary for his prolific goal-kicking and reliable kick returns, Matthew Ridge for his leadership and prolific boot)

Wing: Sean Hoppe and Manu Vatuvei (Hoppe was arguably the Warrior’s most consistent try scoring winger in early years, whilst Vatuvei has the Warrior’s best try scoring record compared to games played. Francis Meli was rated the world’s best winger in 2003 but his form dropped off from 2004.)

Centres: Clinton Toopi and Jerome Ropati (Toopi was rated the close to the game’s top centre in 2002 and 2003. Ropati’s season has been curtailed by injury this year but is a very reliable and game-breaking player in his own right.)

Five-eighth: James Maloney (five-eighth has been a long running problem area for the side. Maloney has performed well enough this year to be picked here on potential through his hole-running and ultra steady boot. Many were tried including the likes of Motu Tony and Gene Ngamu the most successful)

Halfback: Stacey Jones (Mercurial halfback who ran the side for more than a decade and has the team record for games and point scoring. Shaun Johnson looks the most likely as a potential contender. Greg Alexander was probably the next most prolific due to Jones’ mortgage on the role for 10 years)

Props: Ruben Wiki and Steve Price (the Warriors always had good propping options including more recently Russell Packer and Sam Rapira. However Price and Wiki were inspirational, powerful figures who both captained the sides at different times)

Second row: Ali Lauititi and Steven Kearney (Kearney’s ball playing skills alongside Lauititi, once anointed ‘the Michael Jordan of rugby league’ would be a match for any side’s defence)

Lock: Kevin Campion (Campion was the side’s first ‘hard man’ who was a tackle machine and again was a key leadership figure. The side has been served more recently by Michael Luck and Simon Mannering who are of similar ilk.)

Interchange:

Lance Hohaia (Hohaia has been used at fullback, hooker, centre, five-eighth and halfback during his 10 years with the side and continues to be one of their most consistent players)

Mark Tookey (journey-man prop who had cult figure status due to his charging runs which skittled opposition defences)

Awen Guttenbeil (consistent second rower/lock who added off-loading skills to his armoury at the end of his career)

Jerry Seuseu (strong prop who was consistent and reliable in the front row over many seasons)

Who would you have in the Warriors all-time team? Comment below.