NRL: Warriors hit with two fines

The Warriors may have got the two points against the Roosters but were fined for two discretions during the fixture. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Warriors slow-starting victory over the Sydney Roosters has come at a cost - the National Rugby League (NRL) yesterday fined the club $A5000 for two infractions during the fifth round match in Auckland on Saturday.

The Warriors were first fined $A3000 for lining up on Mt Smart Stadium three minutes after the scheduled kick-off; Kiwis legend and club trainer Ruben Wiki's contact with a Roosters player during an on-field altercation also drew $A2000 penalty.

The breach notices were announced yesterday and the Warriors now have five days to appeal.

Roosters coach Brian Smith and captain Braith Anasta were angry the Warriors were late taking the field, describing their hosts as "unprofessional" after watching their side lose 24-12.

"Our players were looking at me, saying 'What's going on?' I thought it was extremely unprofessional. I've never seen it, ever. It was really bizarre," Anasta said.

"I think he (the referee) said he was going to go try to find them. He didn't even know where they were."

The Warriors blamed their belated arrival the need to use an alternative warm-up pitch due to redevelopment. They then found their path down the players' tunnel blocked by advertising hoardings.

NRL director of football operations Nathan McGuirk said although there were extenuating circumstances "both teams are fully aware of their responsibilities to enter the field of play when required."

And while Wiki might have been acting as a peace maker, McGuirk reiterated trainers could not place their hands on opposing players.

Wiki's punishment was at the lower end of the scale.

"There are strict guidelines in place around the conduct of trainers on the field and failure to adhere to these can lead to a trainer being fined and possibly suspended," McGuirk said.

- NZPA