He said Mr Tipene had taken part in the Warriors' development system and was contracted to the Warriors' National Youth Competition squad next season.
"This is awful for Luke's family as well as all of us at the club," Mr Mann said. "We're absolutely devastated and are all trying to come to terms with what has happened. We held Luke in the highest regard. He was a player with real ability who was just starting out on his dream of becoming a professional rugby league player."
Twitter tributes for Tipene
A hooker or loose forward, Mr Tipene played for the Glenora Bears and won the Auckland Rugby League's Under-17 player of the year award.
He was also selected for the New Zealand Maori Under-17 side and was named in the New Zealand Under-17 merit team.
The Warriors said Mr Tipene was educated at Nga Kakano o te Kaihanga Kura in Henderson, and was fluent in Te Reo.
Up to 40 people were involved in the brawl in the early hours of this morning.
The fight began near Northland and Coleridge streets, close to the Countdown store, not long after midnight.
Auckland Police said a post mortem would be carried out today.
No arrests have yet been made.
Police said people with potential information about the homicide could contact Auckland City Police on 09 302 6400 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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