2015 New Zealand Warriors season
The 2015 New Zealand Warriors season was the club’s 21st. Coached by Andrew McFadden and captained by Simon Mannering, they competed in the NRL Telstra Premiership and the 2015 Auckland Nines. Canterbury of New Zealand again made their jerseys. Preseason training began on 3 November 2014.
In the Auckland Nines, the Warriors finished second in the Hunua pool but were eliminated by Cronulla Sharks in the quarterfinals. The squad included Shaun Johnson (captain) and Solomone Kata among others. A planned home match against St. George Illawarra Dragons at Trafalgar Park was cancelled when the Dragons were invited to the World Club Series.
All home games were at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, except Round 22, which was played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington as part of the Capital Clash.
The Warriors also fielded a NSW Cup team and the Junior Warriors in the Holden Cup. The NSW Cup side finished fourth in the regular season but were eliminated in the playoffs; John Palavi was named in the NSW Cup Team of the Year. The Junior Warriors finished seventh, made the finals, defeated the Roosters and the Broncos, and were eliminated by the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final.
Awards and honours:
- Ben Matulino was the Warriors’ Player of the Year (his second time).
- Shaun Johnson won the People’s Choice Award.
- Albert Vete was named Club Person of the Year.
- Tuimoala Lolohea was the NRL Rookie of the Year.
- John Palavi was NSW Cup Player of the Year.
- Mason Lino was NSW Cup Rookie of the Year.
- Bunty Afoa was the Junior Warriors’ Player of the Year.
- Ata Hingano was the Junior Warriors’ Rookie of the Year.
Top scorers:
- Tries: Solomone Kata (12)
- Goals: Shaun Johnson (48)
- Points: Shaun Johnson (130)
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:48 (CET).