ozbash
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whadayareckon ?? 
With the Warriors fighting for their post-season lives, I've decided to talk a stroll down memory lane and have a stab at naming my all-time Warriors dream team.
Sadly, there was no place for great names of yesteryear like Brady Malam, Scott Pethybridge and Ben Lythe.
Fullback: Brent Webb
The Warriors have had some handy names in the No1 jersey since their inception into the competition in 1995. Phil Blake, Ivan Cleary and Wade McKinnon have all had their moments, but I've opted for Australian-born excitement machine Brent Webb, who later went on to play for the Kiwis. Webb always seemed to be able to pop up at the right time, could split a defence apart with his pace and pulled off plenty of try- saving tackles at the back.
Wing: Francis Meli and Manu Vatuvei
Sean Hoppe and crowd-pleaser Henry Fa'afili scored truckloads of scintillating tries for the Warriors, but haven't made the cut in my dream team. I've gone for Francis Meli who dotted down 60 times in his 119 games for the club and "The Beast" Manu Vatuvei, who I rate as the best wing in the game right now. Meli holds the club record for tries in a season (23) and a game (five) and was simply outstanding on attack. Vatuvei is equally as destructive with 72 tries in 107 games for the Warriors and would be a great finisher for this side.
Centre: Nigel Vagana and Clinton Toopi
Clinton Toopi was one of the best centres on the planet in his prime and earns a deserved spot in my dream team. I've decided to pair him with Nigel Vagana, who was always a threat for a line break or offload in his 71 games with the Warriors. Growing up I was always a big Tea Ropati fan, but unfortunately I can't squeeze him in.
Five-eighth: Gene Ngamu
Five-eighth has been the Warriors' Achilles heel since they broke into the competition. Former Australian international Greg Alexander was an option in the 6 jersey, but I've gone for inaugural Warrior Gene Ngamu. Ngamu never set the NRL alight, but was usually fairly reliable for the side and was an accurate goalkicker. Plus, I loved the way former commentator Graeme Huges would pronounce his last name when he made a break.
Halfback: Stacey Jones
Who else but "The Little General". Think of the Warriors and Jones immediately springs to mind. The most capped player (261 games) and highest points-scorer in the club's history, Jones will go down in history as one of New Zealand's greatest rugby league players.
Front row: Jerry Seuseu, Monty Betham and Steve Price
Steve Price is the type of guy every rugby league side would love to have. The big front-rower was a tireless worker for the Warriors and always provided lots of go-forward for the team. Off the field, he's just as big a hit with his leadership qualities and ability to make the guys around him lift their game. It's a shame he was not able to go out in style in his final season of NRL this year because of injury. Jerry Seuseu was an extremely underrated front-rower in his time with the Warriors and has seen off the likes of Joe Vagana, Ruben Wiki, Hitro Okesene and Mark Tookey for my other spot. The Warriors have been blessed with several talented hookers in PJ Marsh, Robbie Mears, Jason Death, Syd Eru and Nathan Fien, but former skipper Monty Betham gets the nod for me.
Second Row: Ali Lauitiiti and Awen Guttenbeil
Ali Lauitiiti was one of my favourite-ever players to grace a Warrior jersey. The colossal second-rower, who was once dubbed "The Michael Jordan of rugby league", had many memorable performances for the side with his crazy offloading skills and ability to bump out of tackles. Probably didn't reach the heights that some people expected of him, but must still be regarded as one of the greatest second-rowers in the club's history. I've paired big Ali with an absolute workhorse in Awen Guttenbeil. Guttenbeil was a tackling machine in his 170 games and 10 years with the Warriors and was a real team player.
Lock: Kevin Campion
The rugged Australian arrived at the Warriors for the start of the 2001 season when the club was in absolute turmoil. His tough attitude, determination and winning background with the Brisbane Broncos seemed to rub off on his team-mates, and he was a key player in helping turn around the Warriors. Campion helped the side to its first trip to the finals in 2001 and was then part of the team that lost in the Grand final the following year. He also loved the biff. Who could forget his dust-up with former Bronco team-mate Shane Webcke in 2002. Tony Tuimavave gains an honourable mention at lock.
The bench: Lance Hohaia, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu.
A rugby league team is only as good as its interchange bench and I've decided to go for Lance Hohaia, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann and Wairangi Koopu on mine. Hohaia is Mr Versatile for the club and can play anywhere in the backs. Warriors fans never really saw the best of Wiki, but he earns a place on the bench because of his work rate, experience and the mana he commands. Swann and Koopu played more than 150 games for the club and always gave their all in the Warriors jersey.
The team: 1 Brent Webb, 2 Francis Meli, 3 Nigel Vagana, 4 Clinton Toopi, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Gene Ngamu, 7 Stacey Jones, 8 Jerry Seuseu, 9 Monty Betham, 10 Steve Price (c), 11 Awen Guttenbeil, 12 Ali Lauitiiti, 13 Kevin Campion Interchange: 14 Lance Hohaia, 15 Ruben Wiki, 16 Logan Swann, 17 Wairangi Koopu
Coach: Daniel Anderson. Assistant coach: Ivan Cleary.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4010933/Picking-a-Warriors-dream-team
With the Warriors fighting for their post-season lives, I've decided to talk a stroll down memory lane and have a stab at naming my all-time Warriors dream team.
Sadly, there was no place for great names of yesteryear like Brady Malam, Scott Pethybridge and Ben Lythe.
Fullback: Brent Webb
The Warriors have had some handy names in the No1 jersey since their inception into the competition in 1995. Phil Blake, Ivan Cleary and Wade McKinnon have all had their moments, but I've opted for Australian-born excitement machine Brent Webb, who later went on to play for the Kiwis. Webb always seemed to be able to pop up at the right time, could split a defence apart with his pace and pulled off plenty of try- saving tackles at the back.
Wing: Francis Meli and Manu Vatuvei
Sean Hoppe and crowd-pleaser Henry Fa'afili scored truckloads of scintillating tries for the Warriors, but haven't made the cut in my dream team. I've gone for Francis Meli who dotted down 60 times in his 119 games for the club and "The Beast" Manu Vatuvei, who I rate as the best wing in the game right now. Meli holds the club record for tries in a season (23) and a game (five) and was simply outstanding on attack. Vatuvei is equally as destructive with 72 tries in 107 games for the Warriors and would be a great finisher for this side.
Centre: Nigel Vagana and Clinton Toopi
Clinton Toopi was one of the best centres on the planet in his prime and earns a deserved spot in my dream team. I've decided to pair him with Nigel Vagana, who was always a threat for a line break or offload in his 71 games with the Warriors. Growing up I was always a big Tea Ropati fan, but unfortunately I can't squeeze him in.
Five-eighth: Gene Ngamu
Five-eighth has been the Warriors' Achilles heel since they broke into the competition. Former Australian international Greg Alexander was an option in the 6 jersey, but I've gone for inaugural Warrior Gene Ngamu. Ngamu never set the NRL alight, but was usually fairly reliable for the side and was an accurate goalkicker. Plus, I loved the way former commentator Graeme Huges would pronounce his last name when he made a break.
Halfback: Stacey Jones
Who else but "The Little General". Think of the Warriors and Jones immediately springs to mind. The most capped player (261 games) and highest points-scorer in the club's history, Jones will go down in history as one of New Zealand's greatest rugby league players.
Front row: Jerry Seuseu, Monty Betham and Steve Price
Steve Price is the type of guy every rugby league side would love to have. The big front-rower was a tireless worker for the Warriors and always provided lots of go-forward for the team. Off the field, he's just as big a hit with his leadership qualities and ability to make the guys around him lift their game. It's a shame he was not able to go out in style in his final season of NRL this year because of injury. Jerry Seuseu was an extremely underrated front-rower in his time with the Warriors and has seen off the likes of Joe Vagana, Ruben Wiki, Hitro Okesene and Mark Tookey for my other spot. The Warriors have been blessed with several talented hookers in PJ Marsh, Robbie Mears, Jason Death, Syd Eru and Nathan Fien, but former skipper Monty Betham gets the nod for me.
Second Row: Ali Lauitiiti and Awen Guttenbeil
Ali Lauitiiti was one of my favourite-ever players to grace a Warrior jersey. The colossal second-rower, who was once dubbed "The Michael Jordan of rugby league", had many memorable performances for the side with his crazy offloading skills and ability to bump out of tackles. Probably didn't reach the heights that some people expected of him, but must still be regarded as one of the greatest second-rowers in the club's history. I've paired big Ali with an absolute workhorse in Awen Guttenbeil. Guttenbeil was a tackling machine in his 170 games and 10 years with the Warriors and was a real team player.
Lock: Kevin Campion
The rugged Australian arrived at the Warriors for the start of the 2001 season when the club was in absolute turmoil. His tough attitude, determination and winning background with the Brisbane Broncos seemed to rub off on his team-mates, and he was a key player in helping turn around the Warriors. Campion helped the side to its first trip to the finals in 2001 and was then part of the team that lost in the Grand final the following year. He also loved the biff. Who could forget his dust-up with former Bronco team-mate Shane Webcke in 2002. Tony Tuimavave gains an honourable mention at lock.
The bench: Lance Hohaia, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu.
A rugby league team is only as good as its interchange bench and I've decided to go for Lance Hohaia, Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann and Wairangi Koopu on mine. Hohaia is Mr Versatile for the club and can play anywhere in the backs. Warriors fans never really saw the best of Wiki, but he earns a place on the bench because of his work rate, experience and the mana he commands. Swann and Koopu played more than 150 games for the club and always gave their all in the Warriors jersey.
The team: 1 Brent Webb, 2 Francis Meli, 3 Nigel Vagana, 4 Clinton Toopi, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Gene Ngamu, 7 Stacey Jones, 8 Jerry Seuseu, 9 Monty Betham, 10 Steve Price (c), 11 Awen Guttenbeil, 12 Ali Lauitiiti, 13 Kevin Campion Interchange: 14 Lance Hohaia, 15 Ruben Wiki, 16 Logan Swann, 17 Wairangi Koopu
Coach: Daniel Anderson. Assistant coach: Ivan Cleary.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4010933/Picking-a-Warriors-dream-team
