Warriors History Timeline

Kiwi coach Graham Lowe publicly raised the idea of a New Zealand team entering the Australian Winfield Cup competition. This is often treated as one of the earliest public pushes for what later became the Warriors.

A group connected with the Mt Albert club made a direct approach to Ken Arthurson, who was then chairman of both the Australian and New South Wales Rugby Leagues. By the end of the year, Peter McLeod had become chairman of the Auckland Rugby League and would become central to the bid.

Peter McLeod and Dominion Breweries chief executive Tony Sernack made the final submission to the NSWRL board. The approval effectively confirmed that Auckland would have a team in the Australian competition.

The bid was developed through League Promotions Auckland, set up to run the Winfield Cup campaign. Peter McLeod led the push, with the Auckland Rugby League backing the proposal. Dominion Breweries, through DB Bitter, also came on board as a key sponsor.

Dean Bell’s appointment as Auckland Warriors captain announced.

The Auckland Warriors play their first game in the Winfield Cup against the Brisbane Broncos.