Auckland Warriors - 1996

The Auckland Warriors largely went through the motions in 1996 as the Super League war dragged on.

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In early-1996, the Auckland Warriors’ biggest problem appeared to be a Super League ‘cleanskin’ jersey edict, which principal sponsors DB Bitter understandably objected to.

That issue was consigned to the backburner just days later, however, as Justice James Burchett handed down his judgement in the Federal Court on February 26 banning the Super League competition from commencing in 1996. The decision put a dampener on the inaugural Super League World Nines tournament in Fiji, which saw Sean Hoppe captain a New Zealand side featuring clubmates John Kirwan, Stephen Kearney, Nigel Vagana Gene Ngamu, Tony Tatupu, Gavin Hill, Stacey Jones and Mark Carter to victory.

No-frills rugby union flanker Carter was a curious addition to the Warriors’ roster, but fellow All Black Marc Ellis – a flamboyant and versatile back – was expected to thrive in his code switch. The popular Ellis’ long-range runaway try with his first touch as a Warrior in a Christchurch-hosted trial against Cronulla whipped the club’s fans into a frenzy. Back-rower Mark Horo, a Te Atatu junior, returned to his Auckland roots in another key pick-up after a strong 1995 season with Western Suburbs ended a five-year Kiwis exile. Former New Zealand rep Iva Ropati joined brother Tea at the club but struggled to make an impression.