The 1998 Auckland Warriors season was the 4th in the club's history. Coached by Frank Endacott and captained by

Matthew Ridge Matthew John Ridge (born 27 August 1968) is a New Zealand television presenter, and a former rugby union and rugby league footballer. A fullback in both codes, Ridge played rugby union for Auckland and became an All Black, but never won an in ...

, they competed in the

1998 NRL season 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...

, finishing the regular season 15th (out of 20 teams).

Milestones

*10 April – Round 5: Joe Vagana plays his 50th match for the club. *19 April – Round 6:

Syd Eru Sydney Wiremu "Syd" Eru (born 26 July 1971) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played the 1990s. A New Zealand national rugby league team, Kiwi representative hooker, he played club football for the Auckland Warrior ...

plays his 50th match for the club.

Jersey & Sponsors

For 1998 the Warriors again used a similar style of jersey, produced by Nike, Inc. DB Bitter remained the major sponsor while Bartercard joined as the sleeve sponsor.

Fixtures

The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 1997, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.

Pre-season trials

Regular season

Kiwi Trial matches

After the National Rugby League season had finished the Warriors played in two trial matches against a

New Zealand XIII The New Zealand Residents (also previously known as New Zealand 'A', New Zealand XIII, the Lion Red Cup XIII and currently known as the Bartercard Premiership Selection) are a New Zealand rugby league football representative side that is selected f ...

. These matches acted as a trial for the New Zealand national rugby league team before the October test against

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and the tour of Great Britain.

Ladder

Squad

Twenty nine players were used by the club in 1998, including four players who made their first grade debuts.

Staff

* Chief Executive Officer: Bill MacGowan

Coaching Staff

* Head Coach: Frank Endacott

Transfers

Gains

Losses

Mid-Season Losses

Other Teams

Due to the axing of the Reserve grade competition the Auckland Warriors reserve team played in a series of matches against New Zealand Provincial sides.''New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998.

Awards

Joe Vagana was the Player of the Year.''New Zealand Rugby League Annual '98'', New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1998. p.60

References

External links

Warriors official site

{{1998 in rugby league New Zealand Warriors seasons Auckland Warriors season War