Victory in Sunday’s New South Wales Cup grand final would give the One New Zealand Warriors an unprecedented second premiership in the same season.

The first came in early May when the club’s Harold Matthews Cup side secured the under-17 crown for the second year running with a 30-16 win over Newcastle at Leichhardt Oval.

After snaring the New South Wales Cup minor premiership in emphatic style with 21 wins, a draw and just two losses, the Warriors stumbled to a 10-24 loss to St George Illawarra in their week two finals encounter and now face the Dragons again in their quest for grand final at CommBank Stadium.

This will be the 13th time a Warriors side has played in a title decider and the fourth occasion the club has been involved in a reserve grade grand final.

The maiden appearance in a season finale was the 12-14 reserve grade loss to Cronulla Sutherland in 1996. A 12-40 defeat by Canterbury Bankstown followed a year later in the Super League grand final while the Bulldogs triumphed again – 30-28 – in the 2011 reserve grade decider against the Auckland Vulcans (a joint venture between the Warriors and the Auckland Rugby League).

Of the 12 grand finals contested so far, the Warriors have had five successes winning the now defunct NYC under-20 competition three times in 2010, 2011 and 2014 with the Harold Matthews Cup team going back-to-back in 2024 and 2025.

As well as the three reserve grade defeats, the One New Zealand Warriors lost their two NRL grand finals in 2002 and 2011, the NYC team went down to Penrith in 2013 and the under-19 side lost to Penrith in 1997.

Departing veteran prop Bunty Afoa has the chance to collect a second premiership 11 years after his first on Sunday; he helped the Warriors to their 34-32 NYC grand final win over Brisbane in 2014.

Warriors in grand finals








1996
NSWRL | Reserve Grade Grand Final
Sunday, September 29, 1996
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: Ben Sammut; Brett Howland, Russell Richardson, Geoff Bell, Matt Daylight; Kurt Wrigley (c), Shane Cairns; Stuart Pierce, Paul Fisher, Gavin Jones; Tiaan Strauss, Dion Cope; David Boughton. Interchange: Andrew Pierce, Adam Dykes, Nick Graham, Wade Forrester. Coach: Stuart Raper.
Auckland Warriors: Doc Murray; Paul Staladi, Nigel Vagana, Tony Tatupu, Iva Ropati; Shane Endacott, Aaron Whittaker (c); Brady Malam, Aaron Lester, Dallas Mead; Tony Tuimavave, Bryan Henare; Logan Swann. Interchange: Meti Noovao, Hitro Okesene, Gavin Hill. Coach: Frank Endacott.
Scorers:
Cronulla Sutherland 14 (Geoff Bell 2, Matt Daylight tries; Kurt Wrigley goal).
Auckland Warriors 12 (Aaron Whittaker, Nigel Vagana tries; Aaron Whittaker 2 goals).








1997
Super League | Reserve Grade Grand Final
Saturday, September 20, 1997
ANZ Stadium, Brisbane

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs: Damien Ford; Kevin Schraader, Paul Mellor, Shane Marteene, Craig Smith; Steve Hughes, Duncan McRae (c); Robert Tocco, Darren Ireland, Barry Ward; Ben Roarty, Steve Reardon; Matua Parkinson. Interchange: Ben Gillies, James Pickering, Gavin Lester, Barry Berrigan. Coach: Steve Folkes.
Auckland Warriors: Glen Coughlan; Iva Ropati, David Bailey, Joe Galuvao, Paul Staladi; Meti Noovao, Aaron Whittaker (c); Grant Young, Steve Buckingham, Hitro Okesene; Bryan Henare, Jerry Seuseu; Tony Tuimavave. Interchange: Ben Fahey, Frank Watene, Paul Rauhihi, Ricky Henry. Coach: Gary Kemble.
Scorers:
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 40 (Craig Smith 2, Steve Hughes 2, Kevin Schraader 2, Paul Mellor tries; Craig Smith 6 goals).
Auckland Warriors 12 (Ricky Henry, Paul Staladi tries; Aaron Whittaker 2 goals).








1997
Super League | Under-19 Grand Final
Saturday, September 20, 1997
ANZ Stadium, Brisbane

Penrith Panthers: Rhys Wesser; Shaun Laurie, Ray Hunter, Martin O’Connell, Matthew Rieck; David Elvy (c), Craig Trindall; Shane Bor, Adam Weston, Frank Puletua; Adam Eldridge, Tone Kopelans; Kirk Ingram. Interchange: Nathan Furia, Lino Salafai, Ned Catic, Damien Morriss. Coach: Peter Kelly.
Auckland Warriors: Junior Lemafa; Odell Manuel, Tai Savea, Peter Lewis, Mark Fakahua; Monty Betham (c), Anthony Clyde; David Solomona, Lee Wetherill, Pewhairangi Jones; Kylie Leuluai, Filemone Lolohea; Ali Lauitiiti. Interchange: Steve Murray, Scott Dewhurst, Fale Falemoe, Jonathan Smith. Coach: John Ackland.
Scorers:
Penrith Panthers 22 (Craig Trindall, Rhys Wesser, Shaun Laurie, Adam Weston tries; Craig Trindall 3 goals).
Auckland Warriors 18 (Tai Savea, Anthony Clyde, Ali Lauitiiti, Scott Dewhurst tries; Anthony Clyde goal).








2002
NRL | Grand Final
Sunday, October 6, 2002
Telstra Stadium, Sydney

Vodafone Warriors: Ivan Cleary; Justin Murphy, John Carlaw, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli; Motu Tony, Stacey Jones (c); Jerry Seuseu, PJ Marsh, Mark Tookey; Ali Lauitiiti, Awen Guttenbeil; Kevin Campion. Interchange: Lance Hohaia, Richard Villasanti, Wairangi Koopu; Logan Swann. Coach: Daniel Anderson.
Sydney Roosters: Luke Phillips; Brett Mullins, Shannon Hegarty, Justin Hodges, Anthony Minichiello; Brad Fittler (c), Craig Wing; Jason Cayless, Simon Bonetti, Peter Cusack; Craig Fitzgibbon, Adrian Morley; Luke Ricketson. Interchange: Bryan Fletcher, Andrew Lomu, Chris Flannery, Michael Crocker. Coach: Ricky Stuart.
Scorers:
Vodafone Warriors 8 (Stacey Jones try; Ivan Cleary conversion, penalty).
Sydney Roosters 30 (Shannon Hegarty, Craig Wing, Craig Fitzgibbon, Chris Flannery, Bryan Fletcher tries; Craig Fitzgibbon 5 conversions).








2010
NRL | NYC (under-10) Grand Final
Sunday, October 3, 2010
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Malcolm Webster; James Roberts, Junior Vaivai, Kane Morgan, Josh Mansour; Matt Mundine, Adam Reynolds; Josh Starling, Nathan Peats (c), Francis Laulu; Adrian Ha’angana, Joseph So’oalo; Blake Judd. Interchange: Jake Shearer, Jacob Nansen, Jack Tulemau, Brendan McKinnon. Coach: David Kidwell.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Glen Fisiiahi; Omar Slaimankhel, Sosaia Feki, Siuatonga Likiliki, Elijah Niko; Carlos Tuimavave, Shaun Johnson; Neccrom Areaiiti, Henry Chan-Ting, Mark Ioane; Matt Robinson, Elijah Taylor (c); Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Nafe Seluini, Charlie Gubb, Sam Lousi, Daniel Palavi. Coach: John Ackland.
Scorers:
Vodafone Junior Warriors 42 (Elijah Taylor 2, Siuatonga Likiliki, Glen Fisiiahi, Sam Lousi, Elijah Niko, Nafe Seluini tries; Shaun Johnson 7 conversions).
South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (James Roberts, Junior Vaivai, Blake Judd, Nathan Peats, Jack Tulemau tries; Adam Reynolds 4 conversions).








2011
NSWRL | New South Wales Cup Grand Final
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs: Trent Cutler (c); Michael Lett, Nathan Smith, Jonathan Wright, Bryson Goodwin; Ben Roberts, Josh Reynolds; Tim Browne, Shane Pumipi, Michael Hodgson; Jake Foster, Brad Morrin; Harlan Alaalatoa. Interchange: Joel Romelo, Chris Armit, Martin Taupau, Gary Warburton. Coach: Justin Holbrook.
Auckland Vulcans: Glen Fisiiahi; Willie Peace, Sione Lousi, Ivan Penehe, Niuvao Taka; Brett Seymour, Pita Godinet; James Gavet, Alehana Mara, Jeremy Latimore; Ukuma Ta’ai, Matt Robinson; Isaac John (c). Interchange: Darin Kingi, Upu Poching, Steve Rapira, Anthony Gelling. Coach: Richie Blackmore.
Scorers:
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30 (Jonathan Wright 2, Michael Lett 2, Trent Cutler, Joel Romelo tries; Bryson Goodwin 3 conversions).
Auckland Vulcans 28 (Willie Peace 2, Glen Fisiiahi, Pita Godinet, Ivan Penehe tries; Brett Seymour 4 conversions).








2011
NRL | NYC (under-20) Grand Final
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Vodafone Junior Warriors: George Maka; Adam Henry, Sosaia Feki, Konrad Hurrell, Dylan Collier; Carlos Tuimavave, Jordan Meads; Ligi Sao, Eko Malu, Donald Tony; Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Ben Henry (c); Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Sam Lousi, Siliva Havili, Agnatius Paasi, John Palavi. Coach: John Ackland.
North Queensland Cowboys: Wayne Ulugia; Kyle Feldt, John Koko, Moses Pangai, Zac Santo; Michael Parker-Walshe, Michael Morgan; Callum Haywood, Alex Elisala, Felise Kaufusi; Chris McLean (c), Jason Taumalolo; Chris Grevsmuhl. Interchange: Nathan Norford, Tennyson Elliott, Daniel Beasley, Francis Veukiso. Coach: Adrian Lam.
Scorers:
Vodafone Junior Warriors 31 (Dylan Collier 2, Konrad Hurrell 2, Jordan Meads, Adam Henry tries; Dylan Collier 3 conversions; Jordan Meads field goal).
North Queensland Cowboys 30 (Chris Grevsmuhl 2, Zac Santo 2, John Koko, Moses Pangai tries; Kyle Feldt 3 conversions).








2011
NRL | Grand Final
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart; Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, William Hopoate; Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans; Joe Galuvao, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite; Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams; Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Shane Rodney, Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, George Rose. Coach: Des Hasler.
Vodafone Warriors: Kevin Locke; Bill Tupou, Lewis Brown, Krisnan Inu, Manu Vatuvei; James Maloney, Shaun Johnson; Russell Packer, Lance Hohaia, Jacob Lillyman; Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering (c); Micheal Luck. Interchange: Sam Rapira, Aaron Heremaia, Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino. Coach: Ivan Cleary.
Scorers:
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 24 (Brett Stewart, Daly Cherry-Evans, Glenn Stewart, Jamie Lyon tries; Jamie Lyon 3 conversions; Michael Robertson conversion).
Vodafone Warriors 10 (Manu Vatuvei, Elijah Taylor tries; James Maloney penalty).








2013
NRL | NYC (under-20) Grand Final
October 6, 2013
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Penrith Panthers: Kieren Moss; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Waqa Blake, James Roberts, George Jennings; Doug Hewitt, Daniel Foster (c); Michael Ross, Kierran Moseley, Reagan Campbell-Gillard; Bryce Cartwright, James Dunley; Andy Saunders. Interchange: Brendan Attwood, Mitch Clark, Tekina Vailea, Isaah Yeo. Coach: Garth Brennan.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: David Fusitua; Metia Lisati, Ngataua Hukatai, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Viliami Lolohea; Tuimoala Lolohea, Mason Lino; Albert Vete, Siliva Havili, James Taylor; Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Michael Sio; David Bhana (c). Interchange: Eko Malu, Sam Lisone, Kouma Samson, Solomone Kata. Coach: John Ackland.
Scorers:
Penrith Panthers 42 (James Roberts 2, Kieren Moss, George Jennings, Brendan Attwood, Mitchell Clark, Waqa Blake tries; Bryce Cartwright 6 conversions, penalty).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 30 (Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Albert Vete, Eko Malu, Metia Lisati, Viliami Lolohea tries; Mason Lino 5 conversions).








2014
NRL | NYC (under-20) Grand Final
Sunday, October 5, 2014
ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Brisbane Broncos: Kodi Nikorima; Paul Byrnes, Tom Opacic, Jordan Drew, Jack Tuttle; Duncan Paia’aua, Ash Taylor; Aaron Rockley, Jayden Berrell, Joe Ofahengaue; Brett Greinke (c), Brendon McBryde; Jai Arrow. Interchange: Jayden Nikorima, George Fai, Ajuma Adams, Alex Barr. Coach: Craig Hodges.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Brad Abbey; Ngataua Hukatai, Nathaniel Roache, Solomone Kata, Paul Ulberg; Tuimoala Lolohea, Mason Lino (c); Sam Lisone (c), Kurt Robinson, Kouma Samson; Michael Ki, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard; Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: James Bell, Toafofoa Sipley, Ken Maumalo, Bunty Afoa. Coach: Stacey Jones.
Scorers:
Brisbane Broncos 32 (Paul Byrnes 2, Alex Barr, Kodi Nikorima, Jack Turtle, Jayden Nikorima tries; Jayden Nikorima 3 conversions; Ashley Taylor conversion).
Vodafone Warriors 34 (Solomone Kata 3, Tuimoala Lolohea, Ken Maumalo, Sam Lisone tries; Mason Lino 5 conversions).








2024
NSWRL | Harold Matthews Cup (under17) Grand Final
Saturday, April 27, 2024
CommBank Stadium, Sydney

One New Zealand Warriors: Joseph Ratcliffe; Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso, Jeremiah Lemana, Turama Paranihi, Kairus Booth; Tyson Hansen, Jack Thompson; Hudsyn Frost, Kaawyn Patterson (c), Gordon Afoa; Dezman Laban, Militoni Sikuvea; Lennox Tuiloma. Interchange: Boston Krone, Romana Whitiora, Houma Fotu, Isaiah Savea. Coach: TJ Ashford.
Western Suburbs Magpies: Ali Hicham Karnib; Tyson Walker, Glassie Glassie, Heamasi Makasini, Thomas Goodfield; Jhevon Lele, Alex Isdale (c); Christian Taupau-Moors, Ashton Large, Leviticus Tovia; Teancam Epati, Pheonix Godinet; Peter Taai. Interchange: Lorima Cosgrave, Siotame Havea Havea Jr, Peter French, Henare Reti. Coach: Stephen Isdale.
Scorers:
One New Zealand Warriors 34 (Jack Thompson 2, Militoni Sikuvea, Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso, Boston Krone, Lennox Tuiloma tries; Kairus Booth 4 conversions, penalty).
Western Suburbs Magpies 16 (Pheonix Godinet, Jhevon Lele, Christian Taupau-Moors tries; Heamasi Makasini 2 conversions).








2025
NSWRL | Harold Matthews Cup (under17) Grand Final
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

One New Zealand Warriors: Jeremiah Lemana (c); Junior Pua, Parekaahu Keepa, Soane Ma’asi, Kaian Olsen; Hinckley Ioka, Alapati Tusa Soagia; Lucian Mikaele, Dreytin Marriott, Krushil Koteka; Dougal Grant, Bishop Neal; Ronan Byford. Interchange: Tusi Fanolua, Satali Asolelei-Fretton, Kenny Lafituanai, Hanita Takulua. Coach: TJ Ashford.
Newcastle Knights: Riley Rostron; Callum Elsley, Chip Valentish, William Manning, Jett McKay; Cooper Votano, Chase Butler; Ashton Allen, Zane Hopkins, Lachlan Quigley; Kade McKay, Chris Mulherin; Cooper Townsend (c). Interchange: Kyron Nixon-Croaker, Noah McNamara, Cody Baker, Sione Haukinima. Coach: Steve Simpson.
Scorers:
One New Zealand Warriors 30 (Bishop Neal 2, Hinckley Ioka, Krushil Koteka, Lucian Mikaele tries; Alapati Tusa Soagia 5 conversions).
Newcastle Knights 16 (Cooper Votano, Ashton Allen, Curtis Mulherin tries; Chase Butler 2 conversions).