2000: Financial Collapse and Reinvention

In National Rugby League season 2000 the Warriors could only finish second last. This season included the Warriors' largest ever loss in their history to date, 54–0 to the Dragons in Wollongong. Alarmingly, the problems off-field overshadowed the on-field problems. The majority shareholders were under intense financial pressure, and the club's future was looking bleak at best. The key assets of the club were purchased by business tycoon Eric Watson. This did not include player contracts, and many players were released and had to fight to get the money they had been promised. Ultimately only 10 players from the 2000 season were retained.

1995 Home Jersey

Jersey Name: 1995 Home Jersey
Year/s Jersey Active: 1995
Jersey Type: First Grade Home
Jersey Debut: 10th March 1995
Jersey Supplier: Canterbury of NZ CCC
Main Jersey Sponsor: DB Bitter
Sleeve Sponsor: Ansett NZ

1994 Home Jersey

Jersey Name: 1994 Home Jersey
Year/s Jersey Active: 1994
Jersey Type: First Grade Home
Jersey Supplier: CCC
Main Jersey Sponsor: DB Bitter
Sleeve Sponsor: No sponsor

1993 Home Jersey

Jersey Name: 1993 Home jersey

Year/s Jersey Active: 1993

Jersey Type: First Grade Home

Jersey Debut: March 1993

Official Supplier: CCC Canterbury of NZ

Main Sponsor: DB Bitter

Back Sponsor: DB Bitter

Sleeve Sponsor: N/A

1999: The Tainui Era

Former Kiwi Mark Graham took over as head coach for the 1999 season. The club was sold off to a consortium that included ex-kiwi coach Graham Lowe and the Tainui Tribe. The club was again disappointing on the field but a mid season ultimatum saw the team string together 5 wins from their last 6 games.

1998: Record Low Crowds

In what was the Warriors 4th season in the ARL, it was a year that presented them with not only their lowest finish in their short history but also saw crowds plummet, with an average attendance of under 9000 people.

1997: Super League

Matthew Ridge was the Warriors 3rd captain in as many years

1997 was the Auckland Warriors 3rd first grade season in the Australasian Rugby League competition. John Monie again had the job of head coach for the year but after starting the campaign with 6 losses from the opening 9 rounds, Monie was replaced by Frank Endacott who would take over from Round 10. 

1996: "Brandy" Alexander Takes Over As Captain

1996 SEASON

As the club entered their 2nd year in the ARL they would again be coached by John Monie. The captaincy position was vacated by Dean Bell as he returned to Leeds to take up a coaching role (in which he would play 1 game as player/coach) and was filled by Greg Alexander heading into his 13th season of 1st Grade Rugby League.

1995 - The Year a Dream Became Reality

A new era in Rugby League was officially born at Ericsson Stadium on the 10th of Match against the Brisbane Broncos in front of 29,220 fans.

The team was led into battle for the first time from the tunnel, through an avenue of fire and drums by the inaugural captain, Dean Bell. With Ray "Rabbits" Warren calling the game he had the following to say as his first words as the Warriors emerged; "and here they come, Dean Bell will cherish and remember this magic moment in his Rugby League career like no other".