New Zealand Warriors

OVERJOYED: Michael Witt celebrates at fulltime after his side beat the Sydney Roosters to progress to the preliminary final of the NRL.

HOME FORTRESS: Banners line the stands of Mt Smart Stadium supporting the NZ Warriors.

CROWD SUPPORT: Warriors coach Ivan Cleary thanks the Mt Smart Stadium crowd.

DRESSING ROOM ANTICS: The Warriors team celebrate defeating the Sydney Roosters in their dressing room.

HAPPY MOMENTS: The NZ Warriors pose up for photographs with prime minister Helen Clark.

GUARD OF HONOUR: Ruben Wiki is applauded by his teammates as he leaves Mt Smart Stadium for the final time as a NZ Warrior.

STACEY JONES-ESQUE: Lance Hohaia baffles the Roosters defence to score a superb individual try for the Warriors.

FAIR DINKUM WIN: Warriors centre Brent Tate celebrates at fulltime after his side defeated the Sydney Roosters.

LAST GOODBYES: Ruben Wiki and Logan Swann played their final games as NZ Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium in their side's win over the Sydney Roosters.

TEAM EFFORT: Michael Witt high fives Brent Tate during the Warriors win over the Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

RESULT SECURED: Warriors winger Aidan Kirk breaks away from the Roosters defence to secure an intercept try.

CLOSE PALS: Manu Vatuvei and Ruben Wiki celebrate their victory over the Roosters on the field of Mt Smart Stadium.

MASTER AND APPRENTICES: Evarn Tuimavave and Sam Rapira join veteran prop Ruben Wiki in the dressing room to celebrate their win over the Roosters.

LITTLE MEN: Lance Hohaia and Aidan Kirk are all smiles after they played starring roles in defeating the Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

PRAISE FROM ON HIGH: Ruben Wiki is congratulated by prime minister Helen Clark after his side defeated the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

PROUD MOMENTS: A Manly Sea Eagles fan celebrates his side's progression to the NRL grand final.

MATCHWINNER: Manu Vatuvei bursts clear with Michael Witt in support in the movement that lead to the Warriors late try that sealed the upset win over Melbourne Storm.

Michael Witt runs in to score the matchwinner for the Warriors in their 18-15 boilover against Melbourne.

CRUCIAL TRY: Manu Vatuvei scores just ahead of halftime in the Warriors' 18-15 win over the Storm.

Jerome Ropati heads for the tryline in the Warriors' 18-15 win over the Storm.

WINNING DELIGHT: Ruben Wiki and Michael Witt celebrate after beating the Melbourne Storm.

MORE TO COME: Warriors players celebrate their 28-6 win over the Parramatta Eels that has clinched a place in the NRL playoffs.

ON THE RUN: Ian Henderson makes one of his trademark dummy half runs against the Parramatta Eels.

GAP AHEAD: Warriors fullback Lance Hohaia spots a gap against the Parramatta Eels.

HAT-TRICK: Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei is congratulated by team-mates after scoring one of his three tries against the Parramatta Eels.

BOMBS AWAY: Up for the ball are Shark Luke Covell (blue) Brent Tate (right) and Malo Solomona.

OUTTA MY WAY: Manu Vatuvei fends the Sharks' Misi Taulapapa.

YOUNG STAR: Ben Matalino is tackled by Brett Kimmorley (right) and Ben Pomeroy.

TRY TIME: Manu Vatuvei looks up at the referee after scoring in the first half against the Sharks.

RETURNING HERO: Wade McKinnon made a confident return from a knee reconstruction in the Warriors win over Brisbane.

HUGS, NOT THUGS: Simon Mannering, left, and Manu Vatuvei celebrate the Warriors win over Brisbane.

THAT'S THE WADE: Wade McKinnon scores on his return from injury in the Warriors win over Brisbane.

WAR HORSE: Steve Price in action for the Warriors against the Brisbane Broncos.

GRIT: Lance Hohaia takes on the Broncos defence during the Warriors win over Brisbane.

TOUGH STUFF: Ruben Wiki hits it up for the Warriors in their win over the Brisane Broncos.

GO BOYS! A hardy Warriors fan cheers on her team in the rain.

OUTTA MY WAY! Warriors centre Sonny Fai fends off the tackle of Israel Folau.

UPSET MAN: Melbourne Storm winger Israel Folau refelcts on his side's 6-8 loss to the Warriors.

HUG TIME: The Warriors' Michael Luck and Sonny Fai embrace after the side's victory over the Melbourne Storm.

GREAT WIN: Ruben Wiki salutes the crowd after his side defeated the Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium.

SHELTER FROM THE STORM: Warriors fans found unique ways of sheltering against the bad weather at Mt Smart Stadium.

FULL BORE: Warriors prop Ruben Wiki charges at the Bulldogs defensive line.

DOTTING DOWN: Lance Hohaia celebrats scoring a try against the Bulldogs with teammate Grant Rovelli.

UP AGAINST IT: A dejected Bulldogs side look on as the Warriors pile more points on the board.

HAPPY MAN: Warriors captain Steve Price celebrates his try against former club the Canterbury Bulldogs.

NOT WELCOME: Former NZ Warrior Sione Faumuina looks on as his old club puts more points on the board.

NEW FACE: Warriors centre Sonny Fai runs with the ball against the Cowboys.

PUT TO PASTURE: Jonathan Thurston and Ray Cashmere reflect on their los to the NZ Warriors.

TRY TIME: Grant Rovelli celebrates Simon Mannering's try against the North Queensland Cowboys.

DOWNCAST: A dejected Steve Price.

JUST THERE: Simon Mannering dots down for a try against the Sea Eagles.

NOT ENOUGH: Manly hooker Matt Ballin scores a try despite the best efforts of Warriors captain Steve Price.

NOT AGAIN: Warriors prop Ruben Wiki looks on as Manly put more points on the board.

HOME CHEER: The NZ Warriors cheerleaders.

WELCOME SIGHT: Warriors winger Manu Vatuvai storms down the touchline with ball in hand.

HANDS UP: Luke Covell and Michael Crockett contest a high ball.

CAUSING TROUBLE: Cronulla Sharks' Greg Bird offloads the ball against the Warriors.

KEY MAN: Greg Bird is tackled by Nathan Fien.

HARD YARDS: Paul Gallen goes for a darting run against the Warriors.

DOTTING DOWN: Sharks' Luke Covell takes a high ball before turning and scoring a try against the Warriors.

MADE IT: Jerome Ropati stretches over to score in the tackle of South Sydney's Fetuli Talanoa

STOPPED: Warriors Nathan Fien tackled by South Sydney's Luke Stuart at Mt Smart Stadium.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: David Kidwell (with arm raised) and the Rabbitohs celebrate their win over the New Zealand Warriors.

RABBIT PLAGUE: Ruben Wiki tackled by a number of Rabbitohs including Fetuli Talanoa (left).

PROBING: Jerome Ropati tries to make headway through the South Sydney defence.

ANXIOUS WAIT: Ruben Wiki waits for video ref decision after a first half try in their match loss to South Sydney.

HELD: Lance Hohaia is tackled by Rabbitohs' Luke Stuart with Isaac Luke at left.

LOSING FEELING: Simon Mannering and Epalahame Lauaki watch the Rabbitohs celebrate at end of game.

MONKEY GONE: New Zealand Warriors players celebrate victory over Newcastle - their first on Australian soil in nine months.

FOUR MORE: Newcastle's Adam Macdougall crashes across to score one of his side's tries against the Warriors.

CHARGER: Warriors winger Michael Crockett on the burst against Newcastle.

SUPPORT?: Warriors captain Steve Price looks despairingly around for support against Newcastle.

MASS DEFENCE: Warriors player gang up to stop a Newcastle player's progress.

GOING DOWN: Warriors back Brent Tate topples towards the turf against Newcastle.

DON'T ARGUE: Warriors forward Michael Luck gets a big don't argue from a Newcastle player.

COCK FIGHT: Sydney Roosters player Braith Anasta and the Warriors' Brent Tate get into a scuffle.

MUSCLING UP: The Warriors' Ian Henderson dots down for a try against the Sydney Roosters.

WELCOME DISTRACTION: A Warriors cheerleader gets behind her team.

FINDING SPACE: Epalahame Lauaki makes a break for the Warriors against the Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

KEY MAN: Braith Anasta returns the ball for the Sydney Roosters.

IN THE CORNER: Warriors winger Aidan Kirk scores his first try for his club.

NOT ENOUGH: The return of captain Steve Price to the Warriors' starting lineup wasn't enough to stop their unbeaten home record being broken against the Roosters.

HAT-TRICK HERO: Ngaruwahia-born Shaun Kenny-Dowell scored three tries against the Warriors.

BIG WILLIE: Backing up from a State of Origin victory, the Roosters' Willie Mason had a strong game for his club against the Warriors.

RUTHLESS: Brent Tate puts an elbow to the neck of Roosters playmaker Braith Anasta.

DID YOU SEE THAT? Warriors forward Ian Henderson looks towards the ref to claim a try against the Penrith Panthers.

SCRAGGED: Warriors Ryan Shortland is grabbed around the neck by a Penrith Panthers defender.

LANCE LOOSE: Lance Hohaia looks for a gap as he makes a trademark darting run.

LET'S BE FRANK: Penrith's Kiwi forward Frank Pritchard scores against the Warriors.

STEP ON: Michael Crockett has a Penrith Panthers defender at full stretch as he looks to make a break.

OFF LOAD: Warriors Ian Henderson flicks the ball out the back as he is tackled by the Penrith Panthers defence.

SMOTHERED: Ian Henderson ,centre, is smothered by Raiders defenders including Tom Learoyd-Lars, left.

COLLARED: Ian Henderson is tackled by Scott Logan.

RAIDED: Michael Luck, left, and Simon Mannering tackle Raiders interchange Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

ONE ON ONE: New Warriors prop Russell Packer lines up his opposite Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.

FOUR MORE: Brent Tate races in to score the first of the Warriors two tries against the Raiders.

DOUBLE TEAMED: Grant Rovelli is tackled by Scott Loga, right, and Troy Thompson, obscured.

HEAD UP: Evarn Tuimavave tackled by Michael Dobson.

CLOSING: Brent Tate looks for gap between Raiders Troy Thompson, left, and Lincoln Withers.

COMING THROUGH: Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei confronts a Gold Coast defender.

ON THE RUN: Warriors Grant Rovelli breaks up field against the Gold Coast Titans.

NO LOOKING BACK: Warriors Brent Tate has eyes for the tryline with Michael Crocket in support against the Gold Coast Titans.

STEPPING BACK: Warriors Michael Crockett looks to jink inside past the Gold Coast Titans defence.

TOUCH DOWN: A delighted Manu Vatuvei celebrates after scoring one of the Warriors tries against the Gold Coast Titans.

RUBEN RUNS: Warriors front rower Ruben Wiki looks for the ball to make a run against the Gold Coast Titans.

WITT'S END: Warriors Michael Witt breaks through to score a consolation try in their loss to the Gold Coast Titans.

KIWI v KIWI: Warriors captain Ruben Wiki charges towards fellow Kiwis, but Bulldogs opposition, Ben Roberts, left, and Sonny Bill Williams.

GOTCHA: Warriors' Nathan Fien is tackled by the Bulldogs Sonny Bill Williams in the Warriors 36-16 win.

HELD UP: Warriors Brent Tate heads for the tryline but the Bulldogs Ben Roberts is about to prevent a touchdown.

IN THE CLEAR: Warriors' Brent Tate gets clear of the outstretched arm of Bulldogs defender Sonny Bill Williams.

HELD: Bulldog Jarrad Hickey scrags Warrior Evarn Tuimavave.

ALL IN: Bulldogs' Tim Winitana is tackled by Warriors Sam Rapira (back) and Brent tate (right) with Ian Henderson in support (left) .

BEAUTY: Evarn Tuimavave is congratulated by Lance Hohaia, Michael Luck and Grant Rovelli after scoring against Newcastle.

IN THE CLEAR: Patrick Ah Van races away to score his second half try against Newcastle with teammate Brent Tate in support.

FIRST HAVE FIVE: Manu Vatuvei, left, congratulates Ryan Shortland after his first half try.

DOUBLE UP: Ryan Shortland goes in to score one of his two first half tries against Newcastle.

OFFLOAD: Ryan Shortland flicks the ball to a team-mate during the match against Newcastle.

GOING HIGH: Brent Tate tackled by Newcastle's Corey Paterson.

ON THE CHALK: Evarn Tuimavave stretches over to score in second half with Knights players Matt Hilder, left, and Jarrod Mullen unable to stop the big forward.

OVER THE LINE: Brent Tate is delighted after Grant Rovelli, left, has scored against the Eels.

OH YEAH: Brent Tate celebrates his second half try with Patrick Ah Van, right, and Grant Rovelli against the Eels.

CHANGING TACK: Brent Tate puts a sidestep on an Eels defender.

GAP CLOSES: Jerome Ropati is tackled by Brett Finch, right and Eric Grothe.

FIVES FOR FOUR: There are high fives and hugs all around as Manu Vatuvei celebrates a try against the Eels

CHASING HARD: Matthew Keating, left, leads the Eels chase as Manu Vatuvei sprints away.

COMING THROUGH: Brent Tate charges into the Eels Daniel Wagon.

IN THE CLEAR: Manu Vatuvei gets away from the Eels' Matthew Keating.

HAPPY HUGS: Manu Vatuvei and Michael Witt are happy chappies in the changing rooms after beating the Melbourne Storm.

COULDN'T STOP THE ROT: NZ Warriors players reflect on another Manly try.

EAGER BEAVER: Manly stalwart Steve Menzies runs with the ball.

ALL OVER: NZ Warriors coach Ivan Cleary reflects on the end of his side's season from the grandstand.

ALL CLASS: Manly players celebrate scoring a try against the NZ Warriors.

NO IMPACT: Not even the return of Wade McKinnon could get the NZ Warriors over a classy Manly side in Sydney.

HARD TO TAKE: Ruben Wiki reacts to the Warriors loss to Manly from the sidelines.

TWO GREATS: Steve Menzies and Ruben Wiki come together to say goodbye after the end of the preliminary grand final in Sydney.