2005 Warrington Wolves season

Warrington Wolves 2005 season
Super League X Rank4th
Play-off resultElimination play-offs
Challenge CupRound 4
2005 recordWins: 18; draws: 0; losses: 11
Points scoredFor: 792; against: 702
Team information
ChairmanDoug Hoyle
Head CoachPaul Cullen
Captain
StadiumHalliwell Jones Stadium
Avg. attendance11,003
High attendance13,024
Leeds Rhinos, 12 September[1]
Low attendance9,040
Huddersfield Giants, 20 March[2]
Top scorers
TriesHenry Fa'afili (23)
GoalsChris Bridge (57)
PointsChris Bridge (147)
← 2004 List of seasons 2006 →

The 2005 season was the Warrington Wolves' 20th consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. During the season, they competed in Super League X and the 2005 Challenge Cup.

Preseason friendlies

Date and time Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
26 December 2004; 15:00 Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium L 6–12 Westwood Hull (1/1) 6,957 [3]
2 January; 15:00 Barrow Raiders H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 66–6 Clarke (2), Lima (2), Gaskell, Grose, Ashall, Kohe-Love, Riley Hull (2/?), Ashall (6/?) Unknown [4]
16 January; 15:00 Whitehaven Warriors H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 32–16 Clarke (3), Westwood, Berry, Lima Briers (4/6) 2,816 [5]
30 January; 15:00[a] Salford City Reds H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 26–24 Grose (2), Bracek, Fa'afili [b] 4,323 [7]

Super League

Main article: 2005 Super League season

Warrington's 2005 season was marked by the landmark short-term signing on 31 July of Newcastle Knights scrum half Andrew Johns, considered at the time to be the greatest rugby league player in the world, for the last two rounds of the season and for any forthcoming play-off fixture.[8][9] Johns, who made his Super League debut against the Leeds Rhinos on 12 September at home to a sold-out Halliwell Jones Stadium,[1] was signed by Warrington with the intention for the club to make it through to the Super League Grand Final for the first time in the club's history.[10] Warrington ultimately lost at home to Hull F.C. in the elimination play-offs, triggering Johns' return to Australia.[11]

Fixtures

Warrington Wolves' 2005 Super League fixtures were released on 2 December 2004, with seven being televised live on Sky Sports:[12][13]

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Pos. Report
13 February; 15:00 Round 1 London Broncos A Griffin Park L 24–28 Mn. Gleeson (2), Hilton, N. Wood, Westwood Briers (2/5) 4,179 Not televised 9th [14]
20 February; 15:00 Round 2 Leigh Centurions H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 26–22 Clarke (2), Mn. Gleeson, N. Wood, Briers Briers (3/5) 11,412 Not televised 9th [15]
27 February; 15:15 Round 3 Hull F.C. A KC Stadium L 10–32 Briers, Fa'afili Briers (1/2) 10,169 Not televised 6th [16]
4 March; 20:00 Round 4 St Helens H Halliwell Jones Stadium L 16–18 Fa'afili, Appo Briers (2/2 + 2 pen.) 12,098 Sky Sports 1[12] 10th [17][18]
11 March; 20:00 Round 5 Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Rugby Stadium L 6–38 Mn. Gleeson Briers (1/1) 15,637 Not televised 10th [19]
20 March; 20:00 Round 6 Huddersfield Giants H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 14–6 Kohe-Love, Grose Briers (2/2 + 1 pen.) 9,040 Not televised 10th [20][2]
25 March; 15:00 Round 7 Salford City Reds A The Willows L 10–42 Fa'afili, Bridge Briers (1/2) 6,004 Not televised 10th [21]
29 March; 20:00 Round 8 Widnes Vikings H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 44–12 Clarke (3), Fa'afili (2), Wainwright, Westwood, Mn. Gleeson, Briers Briers (1/6 + 1 pen.), Bridge (2/3) 10,061 Sky Sports 2[12] 10th [22]
10 April; 15:00 Round 9 Bradford Bulls H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 35–32 Grose (2), Mn. Gleeson (2), N. Wood, Fa'afili Briers (4/6 + 1 pen.)
Drop Goals Briers 		10,654 Not televised 9th [23]
17 April; 15:30 Round 10 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats A Belle Vue W 40–28 Westwood (2), Briers (2), Wainwright, N. Wood, Clarke, Fa'afili Briers (3/7), Bridge (1/1) 5,129 Not televised 9th [24][25]
24 April; 15:00 Round 11 Hull F.C. H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 36–34 Fa'afili (3), Appo (2), Grose, Westwood Appo (1/4), Bridge (3/3) 10,383 Not televised 7th [26][27]
29 April; 20:00 Round 12 St Helens A Knowsley Road L 30–31 N. Wood (2) Kohe-Love, Westwood, Fa'afili Appo (5/5) 12,666 Sky Sports 3[12] 6th [28][29]
15 May; 15:00 Round 13 Wigan Warriors H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 28–22 Lima (2), Wainwright, Swann, N. Wood Bridge (4/5) 12,790 Not televised 6th [30][31]
22 May; 15:00 Round 14 Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium W 44–24 Bridge (2), Noone, Kohe-Love, P. Wood, Lima, Fa'afili Bridge (7/7 + 1 pen.) 14,428 Not televised 5th [32]
29 May; 15:00 Round 15 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 38–30 Swann (2), N. Wood (2), Mn. Gleeson, Fa'afili, Grose Bridge (4/7 + 1 pen.) 10,113 Not televised 4th [33]
5 June; 15:00 Round 16 Huddersfield Giants A Kirklees Stadium W 24–22 Clarke, Fa'afili, Westwood, Bridge Bridge (3/4 + 1 pen.) 6,162 Not televised 3rd [34]
12 June; 15:00 Round 17 Leigh Centurions A Hilton Park W 42–7 Fa'afili (2), Westwood, Grose, N. Wood, Clarke, Bridge, Appo Bridge (5/8) 7,249 Not televised 5th [35][36]
19 June; 15:00 Round 18 Salford City Reds H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 48–14 Westwood (3), Swann (2), Kohe-Love (2), Mn. Gleeson (2) Bridge (4/6), Briers (2/3) 10,925 Not televised 4th [37]
3 July; 15:00 Round 19 Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 25–24 Clarke, Mn. Gleeson, Lima, N. Wood, Appo Noone (2/5)
Drop Goals Briers 		9,825 Not televised 3rd [38]
9 July; 18:05 Round 20 Wigan Warriors A JJB Stadium L 17–36 Grose, Kohe-Love, Bridge Bridge (2/3)
Drop Goals Bridge 		14,162 Sky Sports 1[12] 3rd [39]
17 July; 15:00 Round 21 London Broncos H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 26–14 Fa'afili (2), Mn. Gleeson, Gaskell, Grose Bridge (3/5) 10,146 Not televised 4th [40]
23 July; 18:05 Round 22 Leeds Rhinos H Halliwell Jones Stadium L 22–46 Fa'afili (2), Grose, Swann Appo (1/3 + 1 pen.), Briers (1/1) 11,036 Sky Sports 3[12] 3rd [41]
7 August; 15;00 Round 23 St Helens H Halliwell Jones Stadium L 10–30 Mn. Gleeson, P. Wood Bridge (1/2) 12,762 Not televised 4th [42]
14 August; 15:00 Round 24 Huddersfield Giants A Kirklees Stadium L 22–38 Mn. Gleeson, Swann, N. Wood, Bridge Bridge (3/4) 4,077 Not televised 4th [43]
21 August; 15:00 Round 25 Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 60–16 Kohe-Love (2), N. Wood, Westwood, Lima, Mk. Gleeson, Grose, Fa'afili, Mn. Gleeson, P. Wood, Riley Bridge (8/11) 7,878 Not televised 5th [44]
4 September; 15:00 Round 26 Salford City Reds H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 32–22 Westwood, N. Wood, Mn. Gleeson, Bridge, Briers, Leikvoll Bridge (4/6) 9,169 Not televised 5th [45]
12 September; 18:00 Round 27 Leeds Rhinos H Halliwell Jones Stadium W 33–16 Fa'afili, Mn. Gleeson, Grose, Swann, N. Wood Johns (5/6 + 1 pen.)
Drop Goals Johns 		13,024[1] Sky Sports 1[13] 4th [46]
16 September; 20:00 Round 28 Hull F.C. A KC Stadium W 30–16 Swann (2), Kohe-Love (2), Grose Johns (5/5) 15,763 Sky Sports 2[13] 4th [47]

Table

This section is an excerpt from 2005 Super League season § Table.[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 St Helens (L) 28 23 1 4 1028 537 +491 47 Semi Final
2 Leeds Rhinos 28 22 0 6 1152 505 +647 44
3 Bradford Bulls (C) 28 18 1 9 1038 684 +354 37 Elimination Semi Final
4 Warrington Wolves 28 18 0 10 792 702 +90 36
5 Hull F.C. 28 15 2 11 756 670 +86 32
6 London Broncos 28 13 2 13 800 718 +82 28
7 Wigan Warriors 28 14 0 14 698 718 −20 28
8 Huddersfield Giants 28 12 0 16 742 791 −49 24
9 Salford City Reds 28 11 0 17 549 732 −183 22
10 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 28 10 0 18 716 999 −283 20
11 Widnes Vikings (R) 28 6 1 21 598 1048 −450 13 Relegation to National League One
12 Leigh Centurions (R) 28 2 1 25 445 1210 −765 5
Source: Rugby League Project
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
24 September; 18:05 Elimination playoffs Hull F.C. H Halliwell Jones Stadium L 6–40 Johns Johns (1/1) 12,243 Sky Sports 1 [11]

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2005 Challenge Cup
Date and time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
2 April; 14:35 Round 4 Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Rugby Stadium L 22–26 N. Wood (2), Clarke, Westwood Bridge (3/4) 8,215 BBC Two[48] [49][50]

Transfers

Gains

Player Club Contract Date
Martin Gleeson St Helens 4 years July 2004[51]
Toa Kohe-Love Bradford Bulls 1 year September 2004[52]
Logan Swann Bradford Bulls 2 years September 2004[52]
Simon Grix Halifax R.L.F.C. 2 years September 2004[53]
Andy Bracek St Helens 2 years November 2004[54]
Nick Royle[c] Widnes Vikings 1 year 2005[56]
Chris Bridge Bradford Bulls 3 years January 2005[57]

Loans in

Player Club Loan period Date
Andrew Johns Newcastle Knights End of season July 2005[8][9]
Scott Grix XIII Limouxin One month August 2005[13]

Losses

Player Club Contract Date
Darren Burns N/A Retirement September 2004[56]
Mike Forshaw N/A Retirement September 2004[56]
Jérôme Guisset CA Brive[d] September 2004[56]
Ian Sibbit Salford City Reds 2 years September 2004[59]
Richard Varkulis Rochdale Hornets November 2004[60]
John Wilshere Leigh Centurions 1 year December 2004[61]
Gary Hulse Widnes Vikings 2005[56]
Nick Owen Leigh Centurions 2005[56]

Squad

2005 Warrington Wolves squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach

  • Paul Darbyshire
Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • = suspended
  • = injured
  • (gk) = Goal kicker

Updated: 12 March 2005
Source(s): First team profiles, Club info

Notes

  1. ^ Proceeds of match were donated to former player and Wigan Warriors coach Mike Gregory, who was suffering from progressive muscular atrophy.[6]
  2. ^ Conversions or penalties not recorded.
  3. ^ Royle did not make a single first-team appearance during the 2005 season, following no appearances with Widnes in 2004.[55]
  4. ^ Guisset switched back to rugby league by signing with Wigan Warriors in February 2005 after an unsuccessful season with Brive.[58]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Crowd figures give grounds for growth for Wolves stadium". Warrington Guardian. 16 September 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Just rewards for 'absolutely outstanding' defence". Warrington Guardian. 25 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Teenagers dig deep". Warrington Guardian. 30 December 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Wolves show plenty of promise". Warrington Guardian. 6 January 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Clarke is looking Super fit". Warrington Guardian. 20 January 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Gregory benefit match announced". Warrington Guardian. 28 October 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Struggle highlights importance of pre-season friendlies". Warrington Guardian. 3 February 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Andrew Johns signing confirmed". Warrington Guardian. 3 August 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Johns 'pumped' to get Wolves deal". BBC Sport. 31 July 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Grand Final hopes ignite". Warrington Guardian. 4 August 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Warrington Wolves 6 Hull FC 40". Warrington Guardian. 26 September 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Start saving petrol money". Warrington Guardian. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "Fixture changes". Warrington Guardian. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Issues in defence". Warrington Guardian. 17 February 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Briers' kicking spares Wolves' blushes". Warrington Guardian. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Improving Wolves pay price for sloppy moment". Warrington Guardian. 3 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  17. ^ "Warrington 16-18 St Helens". BBC Sport. 4 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Oh no, not again!". Warrington Guardian. 11 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  19. ^ "Let's be lethal". Warrington Guardian. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  20. ^ "Warrington 14-8 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 20 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Nothing Good about Friday". Warrington Guardian. 31 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  22. ^ "Stylish Wolves pile on misery for Widnes". Warrington Guardian. 31 March 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  23. ^ "Looking up at last". Warrington Guardian. 14 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  24. ^ "Wakefield 28-40 Warrington". BBC Sport. 17 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  25. ^ "No mountain too high in this mood". Warrington Guardian. 21 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  26. ^ "Warrington 36-34 Hull". BBC Sport. 24 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  27. ^ "Changing times leave Wolves looking up not down". Warrington Guardian. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  28. ^ "St Helens 31-30 Warrington". BBC Sport. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  29. ^ "Saints nightmares return as victory is snatched away". Warrington Guardian. 6 May 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  30. ^ "Warrington 28-22 Wigan". BBC Sport. 15 May 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  31. ^ "Luck turning for Wolves as Klein's late call saves the day". Warrington Guardian. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  32. ^ "Dream world". Warrington Guardian. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  33. ^ "Wolves pass test of character to build on Odsal win". Warrington Guardian. 3 June 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  34. ^ "Best win of the season so far says Cullen". Warrington Guardian. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  35. ^ "Leigh 7-42 Warrington". BBC Sport. 12 June 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  36. ^ "Procession of second-half tries does not tell the full story". Warrington Guardian. 16 June 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  37. ^ "Warrington 48-14 Salford". BBC Sport. 19 June 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  38. ^ "No pain, no gain". Warrington Guardian. 7 July 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  39. ^ "Winning sequence catches up with depleted Wolves". Warrington Guardian. 14 July 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  40. ^ "Wolves confirm their Super League survival... in July". Warrington Guardian. 22 July 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  41. ^ "Rhinos deliver a stark reminder for ambitious Wolves". Warrington Guardian. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  42. ^ "Saints' pace and power outguns Cullen's troops". Warrington Guardian. 11 August 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  43. ^ "Wolves' nightmare start costs them the points". Warrington Guardian. 18 August 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  44. ^ "Wolves make light work of Endacott's Vikings". Warrington Guardian. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  45. ^ "Scrum half's wonderful display". Warrington Guardian. 8 September 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  46. ^ "The night Warrington Wolves beat the world club champions". Warrington Guardian. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  47. ^ "Hull FC 16 Warrington Wolves 30". Warrington Guardian. No. 19 September 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  48. ^ "BBC to screen Leeds v Warrington". BBC Sport. 15 March 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  49. ^ "Leeds 26-22 Warrington". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  50. ^ "Edged out in quality stakes". Warrington Guardian. 8 April 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  51. ^ Hadfield, Dave (24 July 2004). "Gleeson accepts Wolves challenge". The Independent. London. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  52. ^ a b "Wolves sign Bradford duo". BBC Sport. 8 September 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  53. ^ "Grand Grix joins Wolves". Warrington Guardian. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  54. ^ "Cullen snaps up talented twosome". Warrington Guardian. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  55. ^ Parsons, Mike (5 April 2020). "Warrington Wolves squad numbers over 25 years of Super League". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  56. ^ a b c d e f Hadfield, Dave (11 February 2005). "Super League in debt to Cougars' crazy originality". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  57. ^ "Stand-off Bridge joins Warrington". BBC Sport. 28 January 2005. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  58. ^ "Wigan move to end Guisset's nightmare". Liverpool Echo. 23 February 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  59. ^ "Sibbit to play for Reds". BBC Sport. 14 September 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  60. ^ "The men to lead Hornets onward". Manchester Evening News. February 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2025. Richard signed for [Rochdale] in November 2004 from Super League outfit Warrington Wolves.
  61. ^ "Wilshere signs for new boys". Liverpool Echo. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
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