NRL: Three memorable NZ Warriors v Wests matches

Tea Ropati leaves the field after cutting his head.
Tea Ropati leaves the field after cutting his head. Photo credit: Photosport

If the 2020 NRL season was still going, the NZ Warriors would be preparing for their round-four clash against the Wests Tigers, their first game of the season at Mt Smart Stadium.

But due to coronavirus, there is no sport anywhere, except if you're in Bulgaria... then you're in luck. 

Rugby league is unlikely in Bulgaria though, so Newshub will take you back on a trip down memory lane, with three memorable Warriors v Wests encounters. 

Round three, 1995 - Auckland Warriors v Western Suburbs Magpies

This match is remembered for many good and some heartbreaking reasons. 

Four tries to fullback Phil Blake helped the Warriors to a 46-12 win over the Magpies at Ericsson Stadium (now known as Mt Smart), their first ever win in the Australian Rugby League Premiership, after losing to the Brisbane Broncos and Illawarra Steelers in their opening games. 

Current Warriors coach Stephen Keanrey was also among the tryscorers. 

Stephen Kearney in action for the Warriors against Wests in 1995.
Stephen Kearney in action for the Warriors against Wests in 1995. Photo credit: Photosport

But cheers would later lead to disappointment, after the Warriors were stripped of their two competition points for winning, when it was revealed the team mistakenly made five substitutions, instead of the allowed four. 

The fifth interchange player was sent on as a blood replacement, with coaching staff not realising that was against the rules. 

The two points would come back to haunt the Warriors, as they finished the season in 10th, equal on points with the eighth-placed North Sydney Bears, but missing the playoffs on points differential.

If the Warriors hadn't been docked, they would have made the finals in their debut season. 

The Warriors had to wait until 2001 to make their first finals series. 

At the end of the 1999 NRL season, a joint-venture club formed between the Magpies and Balmain Tigers, becoming the Wests Tigers 

Round 14, 2011 - NZ Warriors v Wests Tigers 

The Tigers produced one of the comebacks of the season, overcoming an 18-point deficit in the final 15 minutes to win 26-22 at Mount Smart. 

They looked dead and buried, until Kiwis test captain Benji Marshall inspired a remarkable comeback to leave the Auckland crowd stunned. 

Benji Marshall inspired a remarkable Tigers fightback against the Warriors in 2011.
Benji Marshall inspired a remarkable Tigers fightback against the Warriors in 2011. Photo credit: Photosport

In 10 minutes, Marshall scored two tries and set up two more, including one to former Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon and the gamewinner to Beau Ryan.

Earlier, a double to Manu Vatuevi, along with tries to Krisnan Inu, Kevin Lockie and a first NRL try for Shaun Johnson put the Warriors in complete control. 

But in windy conditions, James Maloney's one-from-five off the kicking tee proved costly. 

At the time, the surrendered 18-point lead equalled the Warriors' club record for their worst collapse, but that now stands at 22, after blowing a 28-6 lead against the Penrith Panthers in 2017. 

Semi-finals 2011 - Wests Tigers v NZ Warriors 

This game is arguably the most memorable match against Wests for Warriors fans, due to the circumstances of the semi-finals fixture at Allianz Stadium, which the Auckland-based side won 22-20. 

The Warriors were fortunate to still be in the playoffs, after a 40-10 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos, and they'd already lost to the Tigers twice in 2011, including the round 14 fixture mentioned above. 

The Tigers, who headed into the match on a nine-game win streak, stamped their mark on the game early, holding two 12-point leads including a 18-6 advantage at halftime. 

But the Warriors refused to roll over, closing the gap to two points with 15 minutes remaining

With three minutes left, rookie Johnson launched a towering bomb and the Tigers couldn't handle it. 

Krisnan Inu scores the game-winning try against the Tigers in 2011.
Krisnan Inu scores the game-winning try against the Tigers in 2011. Photo credit: Photosport

Somehow Inu, who was lying on the ground, ended up with the ball. He lunged for the line, came up short, but as he was not held, he reached out again and put the ball down.

After a lengthy video review, the try was awarded and the Warriors claimed victory. 

The Warriors went on to make the Grand Final that year, losing to the Manly Sea Eagles 24-10.