THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V BRONCOS
The Warriors' first rivalry remains one of their greatest and most storied.
The Warriors’ rivalry with the Broncos kicked off via an epic contest in their 1995 premiership debut. Competition between the two clubs has consequently held a special place in the Auckland-based club’s narrative ever since, and has produced many thrillers, brutal encounters and memorable blowouts.
Overall record: Played 51 – Brisbane won 28, Warriors won 22, draws 1; Brisbane scored 1,078 points, Warriors scored 996 points.
Biggest wins: Brisbane – 44-6 at QEII Stadium, 1995; Warriors – 56-18 at Suncorp Stadium, 2013.
Longest winning streaks: Brisbane – 9 matches (1995-2000); Warriors – 4 matches (2002-03).
Finals: Played 2 – Brisbane won 2.
Most appearances: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 25; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 24; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 23; Alex Glenn (Brisbane) – 22; Sam Thaiday (Brisbane) – 21; Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane) – 17; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Josh McGuire (Brisbane) – 17; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 17.
Most tries: Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane and Warriors) – 9; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 9; Francis Meli (Warriors) – 7; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 7; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 6; Wendell Sailor (Brisbane) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 99; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 88; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 82; James Maloney (Warriors) – 56; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 55; Adam Reynolds (Brisbane) – 44; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 43.
1995-2000 – Broncos unbeatable after maiden classic
Round 1, 1995 – Warriors come up just short in thrilling premiership entrance
The Auckland Warriors’ feverishly-anticipated premiership debut met all expectations, but the match-winning class of Allan Langer was the key factor in Brisbane’s pulsating 25-22 win in front of 29,220 rabid fans at Ericsson Stadium. International three-quarters Willie Carne and Chris Johns propelled the visitors to a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes, before veteran fullback Phil Blake netted the Warriors’ first-ever try five minutes later – a cracking touchdown featuring brilliant work from Manoa Thompson and Whetu Taewa. Subsequent tries to Sean Hoppe, Tony Tatupu and Tea Ropati had the Auckland crowd in raptures, their team leading the heavyweight Broncos 22-10, 10 minutes into the second half. Two quick-fire individual tries by Langer, who had a point to prove after being deposed from the Test team by Ricky Stuart on the ’94 Kangaroo Tour, evened the scoreboard, however, and Julian O’Neill edged the Broncos to victory with a penalty and a field goal – but not before withstanding a furious Warriors attacking foray in the dying seconds.
The Warriors voyaged to Brisbane for the first time in the last round of their debut season, needing a victory to snare a finals berth. But their hopes were dashed by a red-hot Broncos side, pummelled 44-6 as Steve Renouf ran in four tries. The match attracted the Broncos’ biggest home crowd of the season at QEII Stadium – 54,645.
The clubs were drawn to play each other in the opening round of 1996 as the Super League-ARL battle waged on. All rebel clubs forfeited their Round 1 matches – with the exception of the Warriors, who were prepared to send a team of players from the domestic Lion Red Cup competition in the Super League-aligned stars’ stead. The Broncos stood by their decision to forfeit, and Auckland picked up the easiest two premiership points imaginable. The Warriors again headed into the final round with a slim chance of a top-eight spot if they could topple the Broncos, but they were subjected to a 38-6 hiding at home.
