Standings

Team
Pts
Axemen14
Fight14
Slayers12
Warriors10
Rebellion6
Thirteens4
Titans2
Oneida2

NZ Warriors Advance to NRL Grand Final

Over in the NRL, the Vodafone Warriors have secured a spot in the Grand Final by knocking off the ladder-leading Melbourne Storm. See the match results here on the NRL website.


We also recommend that you check out the official Vodafone Warriors site for gear, apps and information about the Finals appearance. Go the Warriors!

September 24th, 2011

NRL–Vodafone Warriors On Their Way

Our partner club in the NRL gets one step closer to the NRL Grand Final with a thrilling last-minute victory over the Wests Tigers!

[click here to see original post]

Krisnan Inu’s 78th-minute try left the Vodafone Warriors one win away from reaching the 2011 NRL grand final as they twice recovered from a 12-point deficit to beat the highly-favoured Wests Tigers 22-20 in the first semi-final at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.

The Tigers were outrageous favourites to prevail, even more so when they led 18-6 at halftime, a margin which had one betting agency offering odds of $7.00 on the Vodafone Warriors to win.
Coming off a humiliating 10-40 loss to Brisbane in last week’s qualifying final, the Vodafone Warriors had earned a second life in the finals by dint of the seventh and eighth ranked sides North Queensland and Newcastle both losing their play-offs last week.

 
However, the chances of redemption had seemed bleak as they went 0-12 down early on and 6-18 close to halftime. Possession was heavily against them as they were forced to subsist on a diet of just 14 sets in the first half while the Tigers had 21 sets; the penalty count also favoured the Tigers 4-0.
But, galvanised by coach Ivan Cleary’s passionate halftime address, the Vodafone Warriors transformed the contest in the second half by scoring three tries, Inu’s match-winner coming with only two minutes left to give them the lead for the first and only time in the game. They also had to contend with the penalties going 9-4 the Tigers’ way.
The upshot is the Vodafone Warriors will travel to Melbourne to face the minor premiership-winning Storm in the second preliminary final at AAMI Park next Saturday night, knowing victory would earn them an appearance in the 2011 NRL grand final on October 2, what would be just their second shot at the title in 17 seasons in the competition. It’s only the fourth time the Vodafone Warriors have qualified for the preliminary final; they succeeded at their first attempt by beating Cronulla to reach the 2002 grand final but fell at the same hurdle to Penrith in 2003 and Manly in 2008.

 
Friday night’s victory could scarcely have been more dramatic. Throughout the week the Tigers had been talked up by almost everyone, any number of judges rating them certainties to make and win the grand final with the match against the Vodafone Warriors seemingly of little consequence. Such a judgment wasn’t at all unreasonable after prop Keith Galloway, halfback Benji Marshall and hooker Robbie Farah all found an easy passage to the try-line in the first half.

 
The Vodafone Warriors had looked likely when in possession, a searing Kevin Locke break opening the way for James Maloney to score his 19th NRL try. They were, however, struggling defensively, especially on their own line.

 
In the second half they tightened up markedly in a spell which would see them complete a remarkable 18 of 19 sets. Such dominance was turned into an early second half try when halfback Shaun Johnson’s lovely short ball gave second rower Feleti Mateo his fifth try of the season. With Maloney’s conversion, the margin was down to 12-18 and it was game on.
Immediately, though, the Vodafone Warriors gifted the back to the Tigers, resulting in a Benji Marshall penalty – what would be their only second half points – which improved the lead to 20-12. The decision to go for two points seemed conservative when the Tigers once again had momentum in their favour … not that the Vodafone Warriors had any complaints.
They kept to their game plan, working to create a level of pressure the Tigers couldn’t cope with and, soon enough, the break came.

 
With the penalty count 6-2 against them at the time, the Vodafone Warriors gained relief with two penalties of their own, enabling them to build pressure for Lance Hohaia to surge across from dummy half to leave the Tigers just ahead 20-18 with 15 minutes to play.

 
The Vodafone Warriors sought to aim aerial attacks for Inu to feed off at right centre but initially the bombs didn’t quite hit the spot. In the 78th minute, Johnson tried again, Inu rose to tap the ball back, Lote Tuqiri couldn’t clean up the loose ball and Inu latched onto it to dot down at the second attempt. The try needed a few views before the video ref was convinced but finally the call came in the Vodafone Warriors’ favour.

 
While Maloney couldn’t convert, they then defused a short kick-off by the Tigers – Inu the saviour – and saw off their opponents for something of a breakthrough finals victory. Not since the semi-final against the Sydney Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium in 2008 had they won a play-off; that season they lost a week later to Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium before being beaten by Gold Coast in week one of the finals at Skilled Park last year and then Brisbane last week.

 
With 10 points Maloney took his season’s tally to 192, topping his 188 points last year, the second best by a Vodafone Warrior in a season.

 
Inu, playing at centre for only the second time this year, was a match-winner but heroes were to be found everyone. One of them was undoubtedly winger Manu Vatuvei. He recovered from his disappointing effort against Brisbane last week with a potent performance, carrying the ball strongly as he topped 100 metres from 13 high quality runs and also making eight tackle breaks. Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Lewis Brown and Maloney also topped 100 metres while Micheal Luck led all tacklers with 45 tackles.

 
The Vodafone Warriors arrive home on Saturday afternoon and will have a rest day on Sunday before beginning their build-up on Monday for next Saturday night’s preliminary final against Melbourne.

 
Match details:

 

At Sydney Football Stadium, Randwick
Wests Tigers 20 (Keith Galloway, Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah tries; Benji Marshall 3 conversions, penalty).
Vodafone Warriors 22 (James Maloney, Feleti Mateo, Lance Hohaia, Krisnan Inu tries; James Maloney 3 conversions).
Halftime: 18-6 Tigers.
Referees: Jared Maxwell and Shayne Hayne.
Crowd: 27,109.

 

Vodafone Warriors: Kevin Locke; Bill Tupou, Krisnan Inu, Lewis Brown, Manu Vatuvei; James Maloney, Shaun Johnson; Russell Packer, Lance Hohaia, Jacob Lillyman; Ukuma Ta’ai, Simon Mannering (c); Micheal Luck. Interchange: Sam Rapira, Feleti Mateo, Lance Hohaia, Ben Matulino.

September 16th, 2011

Philly Fight Too Good For Warriors


With hurricane Irene fast approaching, the Philly Fight Rugby League team also got off to a flying start in the 2011 USA Rugby League Grand Final. From the opening kick off the Fight set about their work with precision scoring 2 quick tries to go out to a 12 point lead in as many minutes. On the other side of the ledger the large New Haven Warriors forward pack appeared to have their minds elsewhere as they struggled to overcome the solid defense of the Fight.

The Warriors failed to play to the conditions and this would prove costly as the weight of possession was given to the Philly side. Their completion rate was at times woeful and this was not helped by some interesting decisions by referee Alan Chiminski who sin binned Warrior player Ben Kelly for back chat just before half time.
The Fight had a glut of possession in the first half and made the New Haven team fight for every piece of ground gained and their efforts were finally rewarded with a try to Aussie import lock Andrew Maroney close to the posts that went unconverted. Halftime score 18-4 to the Fight.

Halftime in the sheds Player Coach Sheehan didn’t mince his words as he spoke to his charges, sighting the need to hold on to the ball and to cut back on the mistakes. In the opposition sheds Coach Peter Illfield was happy with how the game was playing out.

This seemed to have an effect on the players as the Warriors finally awoke from their slumber during the third quarter with some big hits and strong running from Siose Muliumu and 21 yr old Wesley Haughton. However once again Chiminski appeared to want to dominate the game with incessant whistle blowing and long stoppages as he continually called for both Captains.

Frustration was setting in and at one stage Chiminski appeared to lose control as an all in brawl similar to the recent Manly v Storm NRL match, exploded on the sidelines. Ground officials manage to keep the benches from emptying and joining in and the resulting penalty went the way of the Fight.

This seemed to galvanize the Warriors players and they hit back with 3 quick tries with the best coming from a set piece when rookie sensation Wesley Haughton managed to step past two Fight would-be tacklers and launched a third with a fend off before scoring beside the posts. Other try scorers were Karl Buck, Siose Muliumu and Damien O’Malveney.

Philly Fight appeared all but gone as they set for the kick off but a mistake from Warriors fullback Keith Nelson as he dropped the ball saw the Fight spread it quickly from the scrum to winger Patrick Quirk who dived for the corner but appeared to knock the ball on. In what can only be called a bizarre decision the officials stated that the ball was dropped backwards before going forwards and allowed the try. The scores were tied 26-26 and only minutes remaining, the stage was set for a thriller. Once again the Warriors were guilty of failing to control the ball and mistakes were to prove costly as the Fight played out their set with efficiency and Chiminski had the final say awarding the Fight a penalty in front of the Warriors posts and the resulting success saw the Fight ahead on the board 28-26.

Despite the somewhat strange and often bizarre officiating, it was a thrilling match. The Philly Fight stuck to their game plan, completed their sets well and controlled possession. Coach Peter Illfield was delighted with his team and rightly so as the Fight have earned the title of USA Rugby League Champions. As hurricane Irene began to advance the small but vocal crowd went away happy having been well entertained by both teams.

Final score: Philadelphia Fight 28: New Haven Warriors 26

August 29th, 2011

Warriors Head to USARL Grand Final

USARL Championship Tickets on Sale!

USARL Championship Final
Philadelphia Fight versus New Haven Warriors



 
3pm Championship Kick-off



Stadium Location and Directions
A. A. Garthwaite Staduim – Fight’s Home Pitch
Harry St and E 11th Ave
Conshohocken  PA  19428
Get Directions – Click Here

Out of town Accommodation
Residence Inn by Marriott – Philadelphia Conshohocken
$99.00 Studio Suite or $109.00 One Bedroom Suite
(Prices listed include a 25% discount – Mention the USARL Championship)
Contact Stacy Dengler – www.conshohockenresidenceinn.com

August 14th, 2011

Warriors fight to the finish!

The New Haven Warriors have sprung the upset of the season beating the Jacksonville Axemen on their home turf to secure a championship finals matchup against the Philadelphia Fight.

A repeat of last years final which saw the Axemen take home the silverware, this game had a far different outcome which saw the Warriors shock the hometown and break and unbeaten home ground advantage that has stood for 3 years.  With the Warriors unfazed by records and more focused on exacting revenge, what better way to restoring pride than beating the team that wears the crown at your expense.

The game started slowly with the big men doing most of the work and battling it out for precious yards on both sides. The Warriors seemed to dominate early and it was only desperate defense by the Axemen that kept them from putting points on the board. The Axemen were the first to strike but it wasn’t long before the Warriors also crossed the line and the scores were locked up at 4 all.

While the score stayed at 4-4 for what seemed forever, the Warriors looked more like the team that dominated much of the 2010 season. The Axemen, who for the 2nd game in a row were off to slow start and wondering who was going to provide the magic that had served them so well in game past. It wasn’t to be.

The Warriors found another gear and pounded their way across the line to silence the crowd and put the home team in unfamiliar territory. With a converted try and an additional 2 point penalty putting the gap to 8 points, the Warriors weren’t about to ease up and kicked a field goal in the dying moments for good measure.

Adam Hamon CEO of the Warriors commented “Full credit to the boys on an incredible effort and one of the most intense games I have had the pleasure to be a part of.” He continued, “The boys are fired up and we are ready to take on the Fight.”

The Championship final is on Saturday August 27th, 3pm
Gates open at 12pm with pre-game match and activities
For information on tickets, click here.

Final Score Warriors 13 defeated the Axemen 4

August 14th, 2011
 
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