Girish Mahajan (Editor)

2003 New Zealand Warriors season

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NRL Rank
  
6th

CEO
  
Mick Watson

Assistant coach
  
Tony Kemp

Points scored
  
For: 545; Against: 510

Coach
  
Daniel Anderson

2003 New Zealand Warriors season

2003 record
  
Wins: 15; Draws: 0; Losses: 9

The 2003 New Zealand Warriors season was the 9th in the club's history. They competed in the National Rugby League's 2003 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 6th place. The Warriors then came within one game of the grand final, losing to eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers. The coach of the team was Daniel Anderson while Monty Betham was the club captain.

Contents

Milestones

  • The Warriors had the youngest squad out of all the 15 clubs in the 2003 NRL season.
  • 23 March — Round 2: Monty Betham played in his 50th match for the club.
  • 6 April — Round 4: Francis Meli, Wairangi Koopu and Mark Tookey played in their 50th first grade games for the club.
  • 22 June — Round 13: Motu Tony played in his 50th match for the club.
  • 12 July — Round 18: Ali Lauitiiti played in his 100th match for the club.
  • 10 August — Round 22: Richard Villasanti played in his 50th match for the club.
  • 6 September — Round 26: Awen Guttenbiel played in his 100th match for the club.

    • Fixtures

    The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 2003, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.

    Pre-season

    The Warriors played a pre-season trial match against the Penrith Panthers in Invercargill on 28 February. 15,000 fans attended the match, which was sold out.

    Squad

    Twenty eight players were used by the Warriors in 2003, including five players who made their first grade debuts.

    Staff

  • Chief Executive Officer: Mick Watson

    • Coaching Staff

  • Head Coach: Daniel Anderson
  • Assistant Coach: Tony Kemp
  • Assistant Coach: Rohan Smith

    • Other Teams

    Players not required by the Warriors were released to play in the 2003 Bartercard Cup. This included Motu Tony and Jerome Ropati at the Marist Richmond Brothers, Mark Robinson at the North Harbour Tigers and Richard Villasanti at the Canterbury Bulls.

    Awards

    Francis Meli won the Player of the Year award.

    References

    2003 New Zealand Warriors season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA