Player Dean Bell

[mt.wellington]

Dean Bell

​

Date of Birth Apr 29, 1962
Birth Location Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Height (cm) 178
Weight (kg) 90
Position/s Centre
Warrior # 1
Warriors Debut Date Mar 10, 1995
Warriors Debut Details March 10 1995, Round 1 vs Brisbane Broncos at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
Warriors Years Active 1995
Signed From Wigan Warriors
Rep Honours NZ
Awards/Honours Warriors Captain
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Bell

General Information​

Dean Bell, also known by the nicknames of "Mean Dean", and "Deano", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and coach. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in England, Australia and New Zealand, but most notably with Wigan, with whom he won seven consecutive Challenge Cup Finals, a Lance Todd Trophy, and a Man of Steel Award. He later coached English club Leeds for two seasons. He is a member of the famous Bell rugby league family that includes George, Ian, Cameron, Glenn, Cathy Bell and Clayton Friend.

Bell began his career in 1979 playing for the Manukau Magpies in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 2011 he was named Manukau's Player of the Century.

Bell then moved to England in August 1982, playing for Carlisle and Leeds over the next two seasons. Dean Bell played left-centre in Leeds' 18–10 victory over Widnes in the 1983–84 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 14 January 1984. At the end of the 1983/84 season he joined Eastern Suburbs in Australia, playing 42 games for them over the next three seasons. In 1987 Bell was a guest player for the South Island in a match against Auckland. In 1986 he joined Wigan, where he was to experience his greatest success. While at Wigan, Bell became a Seven-time Challenge Cup winner (including three as captain), a Six-time Championship winner, a One-time World Sevens winner, a Five-time John Player Trophy winner, a Two-time Premiership winner and a Four-time Lancashire County Cup winner.

Dean Bell played left-centre in Wigan's 15–8 victory over Oldham in the 1986 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 19 October 1986, was a substitute in the 28–16 victory over Warrington in the 1987 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 11 October 1987, played left-centre and scored a try in the 22–17 victory over Salford in the 1988 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1988–89 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 23 October 1988, and played loose forward in the 5–4 victory over St. Helens in the 1992 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 18 October 1992.

Dean Bell played left-centre and scored a try in Wigan's 18–4 victory over Warrington in the 1986–87 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1986–87 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 10 January 1987, played right wing in the 12–6 victory over Widnes in the 1988–89 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1988–89 season at Burnden Park, Bolton on Saturday 7 January 1989, played left-centre in the 24–12 victory over Halifax in the 1989–90 Regal Trophy Final during the 1988–89 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 13 January 1990, and played right-centre in the 15–8 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1992–93 Regal Trophy Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1993.

During the 1992–93 Rugby Football League season Bell played at centre for defending RFL champions Wigan in the 1992 World Club Challenge against the visiting Brisbane Broncos.

Bell also won the Man of Steel Award in 1992 and the Lance Todd Trophy in 1993. Bell was later inducted into the Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame.

In 1994 Bell left Wigan, returning home to join coach John Monie at the new Auckland Warriors club. Bell became the club's first captain and led the team out in their inaugural match.

During his career he captained Wigan, the Auckland Warriors, and the New Zealand national team.

While playing in the Auckland Rugby League competition Bell made the Auckland side. In 1982, he played for Cumbria against Australia during the 1982 Kangaroo tour. A year later, he toured England with the New Zealand Māori team before making his début for New Zealand that same year. In his début match he played alongside his uncle Ian Bell, and his cousin Clayton Friend. He went on to play 26 tests for New Zealand, retiring from international football early in 1989.

Bell picked up several honours while playing for New Zealand, including being the NZRL Player of the Year in 1987 and winning the NZ Māori Sports Personality of the Year in 1994. He was later made a member of the NZRL's Immortals and inducted as one of the NZRL's Legends of League in 2000. He is an Auckland Rugby League Immortal.

Bell returned to Leeds in 1996 as coach but ended up playing in one match as player-coach. He remained the first grade coach in 1997 before accepting a two-year job as the head of the academy team.

During the 2000 World Cup he was the assistant Coach of the Aotearoa Māori side, working under his dad Cameron Bell.

In 2000 he returned to Wigan to head the youth development programme for seven years before being appointed the New Zealand Warriors Development Manager in August 2007.

Bell became the manager for the Warriors Under-20s side in the Toyota Cup, and at the end of the 2009 season Bell was promoted by the Warriors to be their new Recruitment and Development Manager.

In 2008 Bell was made the New Zealand national rugby league team football manager.

In 2012 Bell was made the New Zealand Vodafone Warriors General Manager Of Football

Dean Bell - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

DEAN BELL PROFILE

Born: April 29, 1962
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ

Vodafone Warriors positions: General manager football 2013-2015, recruitment and development manager 2011-2013, NRL team manager 2009-2010, recruitment manager 2009-2010, under-20 team manager 2008-2009, welfare and education manager 2007

Other positions: NZ Kiwis football manager 2008-2009, Wigan rugby executive 2000-2007, Leeds head coach 1996-97, Leeds academy head coach 1998-99

Clubs: New Zealand – Manukau, Auckland Warriors; England – Carlisle, Leeds, Wigan; Australia – Eastern Suburbs

Representative: New Zealand, New Zealand māori, Auckland, South Island, Oceania, Rest of the World, Cumbria

Playing career:

New Zealand: 26 Tests 1983-1989, four Tests as captain including 1988

World Cup final, 11 tries, Kiwi No: 574

New Zealand: 10 tour matches 1985-1987, 4 tries

Auckland Warriors: 19 games 1995, 3 tries, captain, Warriors No: 1

Wigan: 253 games 1986-1994, 96 tries, Wigan No: 830

Eastern Suburbs: 40 games 1985-88, 8 tries, Roosters No: 779

Leeds: 22 games 1983-84, 4 tries, Leeds No: 1132

Carlisle – 23 games 1982-83, 11 tries

Achievements:

Wigan: Challenge Cup winner seven times, three as captain; championship winner six times; John Player Trophy winner five times; premiership winner two times; Lancashire Cup winner four times; world sevens winner once; Lance Todd Trophy winner 1993; Man of Steel winner 1992

New Zealand: NZRL Player of the Year 1987, NZ māori Sports Personality of the Year 1994, Inducted into NZRL ‘Immortals’, Inducted into NZRL ‘Legends’

Others: Inducted into Wigan ‘Hall of Fame’, ‘This is Your Life’ recipient

Watch | Dean Bell Speaks on Unique Opportunity for Players in Pre-Season Programmes

Warrior #1 himself, Dean Bell speaks on the unique opportunity for young players in the upcoming U18 Dean Bell Cup. The ...

www.aucklandleague.co.nz

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

 

[mt.wellington]

Warriors revival rekindles the flame for founding father Bell​

Martin Lenehan
Wed 30 Aug 2023, 06:01 PM

From the moment he led them onto the field for their first ever game against the Broncos in 1995, the Warriors have always been close to Dean Bell’s heart.

Rated one of the finest centres of his era and an icon of Kiwi rugby league, the no-nonsense Aucklander was the ideal man to skipper the fledgling outfit on their maiden voyage into the unknown.

“It was such a big deal for us as a country, the realisation of so many people’s dreams who never thought they’d be alive to see it,” Bell said in ‘Rugby League Icons: The Clubs, The Tribes, The Triumphs’.

“Standing in that tunnel on that first night I felt so humbled to be part of a moment rugby league had been looking for in New Zealand.
“I played in seven Challenge Cup finals in England and won them all and I always say the best two moments of my career are my first Wembley final in 1988 and that first night with the Warriors in ’95.”

Almost three decades later, the man voted Manukau’s Player of the Century has revelled in the rebirth of a Warriors side set to play finals footy for just the second time 12 years.

Inaugural Warriors captain Dean Bell salutes the crowd on Old Boys' Day in Round 25.©Photosport

Just as he and fellow veteran Greg Alexander joined forces with astute mentor John Monie to drive the standards in that inaugural season, so too Tohu Harris, Shaun Johnson and Andrew Webster have set the tone for a 2023 campaign that has taken the NRL by storm.

“It has been an amazing turnaround from where they were the last few years and without doubt the credit has to go to Andrew Webster,” said Bell.

“He’s a very clear communicator, he knows what he wants and he gets it done efficiently.

“A team can only be judged on ‘are they playing to their potential’ and that will always fall to the coach if they aren’t, but these guys certainly are.

“Sometimes there’s an over-emphasis on the coach but in this case it’s right that Andrew get the credit.

“Shaun is now doing a lot of stuff he wasn’t doing early in his career. He has always been a mercurial player but now he is playing the ultimate halfback’s game to the point where there hasn’t been a better halfback [in the NRL] this year.

“Tohu is always willing to do the hard stuff, he’s a ‘follow me’ style of leader. He has a lot of support around him now and that has helped him.

"Guys like Dylan Walker and Jazz Tevaga, they are two of the best bench players you could have. They are a barometer of the toughness you need to win finals games."

The winning moment: Johnson

Being part of the September action has been little more than a pipe dream since the 2011 grand final loss to Manly, but in 2023 the Warriors have won more games than the last two seasons combined to secure their first top-four finish since 2007.

Among a host of players producing standout seasons, Johnson leads the NRL in try assists with 27, Addin Fonua-Blake has more post-contact metres than any other player and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak needs just two tries to equal Francis Meli’s club record of 23 set in 2003.

Depending on results this weekend the Warriors will head to either Brisbane or Penrith in week one of the play-offs, before returning home to Auckland in week two or three to host a final for the first time since the 2008 semi against the Roosters.

Sitting in the coach’s box that day and masterminding a 30-13 triumph was none other than Ivan Cleary, the man Webster stood alongside on grand final night last year as the Panthers went back-to-back.

Three for DWZ

In his role as Cleary’s assistant, Webster had been part of both the 2021 and ’22 premierships and was ready to spread his wings as head coach of the Warriors.

“Although we’re saddened to see Andrew depart the club, it’s rewarding to see a valued member of the club progress to the next stage of their career,” Panthers CEO Matt Cameron said at the time.

“Working alongside Ivan Cleary and the entire football staff, Andrew has been influential in providing an environment for players to flourish, and played a key role in leading the Panthers to premiership success.”

While he concedes the Warriors aren’t quite at the Panthers’ level just yet, Bell sees plenty of similarities between the two sides.

“The Panthers are not necessarily a team of superstars but they just win footy games, and if you’re winning footy games then everything you are doing is the right thing,” Bell said.

“They put the pressure on, they keep the pressure on, and to a certain extent that’s what Warriors have done this year.

“The Panthers take the air out of you through their consistent, persistent defensive approach and that frustrates teams.

“Then they have that sparkle and finesse and that teamwork that gets them over the line and we can see a little bit of that in the Warriors, who are playing a brand of footy that everybody knows what they are doing.

“They have become a team you want to watch whereas the last four or five years you couldn’t have said that.

“We watch footy games for pleasure and a few years ago they weren’t a pleasure to watch. They were fairly negative and if the pressure was on, they would turn games up, now there is a consistency we are so proud of.

The final moments of the Wests Tigers-Warriors 2011 SF

“They are rewarding the fans who stuck with them through those years. They are playing that style of footy that fans can be proud of and that’s why they are turning up in huge numbers.

“A home final will be a major event in the New Zealand sporting calendar just like that first game in 1995 was.

“I think we had 30,000 in Auckland that night and the atmosphere that was created was just like the 100,000 at Wembley.

“What we gained in that first year was respect – you have to earn that, it is never something that is given to you.

"Part of that respect is going to be how this team perform in the finals. It's still a successful season but deep down they are after a whole lot more than just getting there.

"They have to raise the bar now. It's turn up or go home."

Warriors revival rekindles the flame for founding father Bell

The rise of the Warriors in 2023 has given the club's inaugural captain Dean Bell reason to walk tall and dare to dream of a maiden premiership.

www.nrl.com

 

[mt.wellington]

​

 

[mt.wellington]

​

 

[mt.wellington]

In-depth: Dean Bell​

Zach Holland 03 May 2018 12:30 PM

Another one for the in-depth series, and with his birthday recently we celebrate the career of one of New Zealand’s modern-day greats, Dean Bell…

You think back to late 1980s and early 1990s and one of the standout teams at the time was the totally dominant and formidable Wigan side. A team that over the period consisted of the likes of Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell, Ellery Hanley and the man himself ‘Mean Dean Bell’, who at the time was rated as the best centre come wingers in rugby league by former New Zealand coach Graham Lowe.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, it is fair to say that Bell had a rather quiet start to his rugby league career finding it difficult to find his feet. The fiery winger began his career with the Manuaku Magpies before eventually making the trip over to England in 1982 and joining Cumbrian side Carlisle.

A season with the Cumbrian side would see Bell play in 23 games alongside notching a steady 11 tries but after only one season with Carlisle, Bell would find another home in England, this time with West Yorkshire club, Leeds Rhinos. At the tender of age of 20, Bell once again endured a slow start spending one season with the Rhinos, making 22 appearances to go with 5 tries.

After two unsettled seasons in England, Bell made the trip back down under this time joining the Eastern Suburbs where he endured a more a sporadic time, spending three seasons with the club. He was certainly a man known for his fiery temperament throughout his career, being marred by suspensions along with some injuries with the New South Wales side.

However, there was a sense there was more to come as the seasons went by and this was just the tip of the iceberg. After three seasons in Australia, Bell had made 60 appearances along with scoring 11 tries.

After such a sporadic start to his professional rugby league career the former Kiwi made the jump once again to England in 1986 and this time venturing to the other side of the Pennines, with a Wigan side that was just at the start of something special. A team that would be forever inscribed in rugby league history.

It would be here that saw Bell make his mark. Bell had mellowed and matured as player during his time with the Warriors, making an incredible and influential impact as player and captain. In his first three seasons, we started to see the player he would eventually become scoring 30 tries in an impressive beginning to his famed time at the Cherry and Whites.

By 1992 he had seemingly produced his most effective season to date, winning the coveted Man of Steel award, which saw Wigan come away with a domestic treble, winning both the RFL Championship, Challenge Cup and Lancashire Cup in the same year. The 1993 season saw Bell add even another accolade to his already glittering collection and résumé. Only just fresh off the back of five consecutive Challenge Cup wins, Wigan were no question the overwhelming favourites and for a good reason, blitzing the competition once again. The Lancashire side came out eventual winners for the sixth consecutive time, defeating the Widnes Vikings 20-14 in a game which saw Bell not only captain the side but run away with the Lance Todd trophy thanks to his man of the match display in the final.

His impact with the Lancashire side would be nothing short of spectacular, overall winning an unfathomable six consecutive RFL Championships, seven consecutive Challenge Cups, four Regal Trophies and four Lancashire Cups. Overall making him one of the most coveted overseas signings in the history of British rugby league.

After eight seasons, 242 appearances and 96 tries with Wigan, Bell made the move back to his native New Zealand becoming the inaugural captain of the Auckland Warriors scoring 3 tries in 19 appearances before eventually seeing out a legendary career in 1996 with the Leeds Rhinos. His time at the Warriors will forever be set in stone and remembered by the Wigan faithful and rugby league fans alike as in 2007 he would be inducted into the Wigan Warriors hall of fame alongside the legendary Ellery Hanley.

His influence would not just stop at club level as Bell went go on to captain New Zealand and after making his debut in 1983, he became an integral part of the sides that claimed Test wins against Australia in 1983, 1985 and 1987. He would just miss out on a World Cup triumph in 1988, just succumbing to defeat against the green and golds.

After a sublime career, Bell decided to take his talents to the other side of the rugby pitch, taking up a job as player-coach for the Leeds Rhinos in 1996 before becoming head of the West Yorkshire’s academy team for two years. Just like as a player his managerial stock would continue to rise, assisting his father Cameron Bell with the New Zealand māori side in 2000. Another seven years with the Wigan youth development programme showed he was one for nurturing the upcoming generation of rugby league players. By 2012 he had come even more leaps and bounds in his coaching, being made New Zealand Warriors General Manager of Football.

Throughout his career Bell showcased an aggressive, hard-running and yet electrifying style that made him one of the most feared winger/centres of his time. His leadership for both Wigan and New Zealand would be second to none becoming an influential figure at both levels. As cliché as it seems, he would be one never afraid to get stuck in. On both sides of the ball he would be a true menace, whether it be busting tackles to get to the try line or displaying is presence as hard-hitting defender. All in all making him one of the most fiercest and competitive players to step on a rugby pitch. A true modern-day great.

In-depth: Dean Bell | LoveRugbyLeague

Another one for the in-depth series, and with his birthday recently we celebrate the career of one of New Zealand’s modern-day greats, Dean Bell…

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Wigan Warrior]

One you guys may be interested in.

Wigan do a regular feature with past players and Deano was the most recent one (Frano also been involved and so was Madge ahead of the World Cup in 23) and the interview is on YT.

Will focus mainly on his Wigan career I suspect but be a good watch anyway.

Deano was my first proper rugby hero growing up. Idolised him, so I was quite annoyed I didn't get chance to attend this.


View: https://youtu.be/9iHnFfbcs14?si=EnJeYHgaAHqlCD_0

 

[mt.wellington]

Former New Zealand Warrior Dean Bell on working for hospice and being a granddad​

NZ Herald
29 Oct, 2023 05:00 AM

As captain of the inaugural side, Dean Bell was 'Warrior Number One'. He's pictured in action during a Winfield Cup match against Parramatta Eels in Sydney on April 23 1995. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

He counts running out to a Wembley Stadium crowd of 100,000 among his greatest moments, but Kiwi rugby league great Dean Bell reckons he’s living his best life now as a hospice worker and granddad.

Bell, a former player and captain for Wigan, the Warriors and the Kiwis, is a storeman and driver for the Harbour Hospice shop in Whangaparāoa, on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast.

​

It’s a long way from the player’s tunnel at London’s Wembley, when he ran on to the field in front of 100,000 spectators under Kiwi coach Graham Lowe’s Wigan side in 1988.

“That was something like you could not even imagine, it was so powerful”, the 61-year-old said.

Dean Bell with the Challenge Cup when Wigan beat Castleford in the final at Wembley Stadium, London, on May 2 1992. Photo / www.photosport.nz

Before the match the team was driven down Wembley Way, the 1km stretch of road leading into the stadium, where they were greeted by thousands of fans on either side.

“Graham put the theme song to Rocky on and I could see all these granddads with their grandchildren on their shoulders. It gave me goosebumps.

“I thought, ‘This really means something to these people’ and it wasn’t that I needed to convince myself, but it was a reminder that this was all about the fans. I wanted them to see me at my best.”

It was the same when, as captain, he led the Warriors out for their first game in 1995, his final playing season.

“It was such a big event, there was such anticipation, and seeing all the fans - being back in my hometown after so many years away.”

Rugby league legend-turned-hospice champion Dean Bell.

Along with the rest of the country, he followed the Warriors’ journey to the preliminary finals this season for the first time in 12 years.

The side was “on the right track”, but there were still areas for improvement, Bell said.

And while he left the playing field on good terms, there’s still part of him that misses his old league star life.

Only coaching young players in Leeds had come close to the same feeling, he said.

“That gave me a buzz watching them develop. But in those first few years after I retired I found it tough - to have done something all your life and to not be able to do it any more was hard.

“I had been that skinny white kid from South Auckland who ran up One Tree Hill every morning and did weights in my dad’s garage because I loved footy that much. My debut for the Kiwi team had been a goal of mine growing up, and knowing how proud it made my family - that was another of my ‘greatest moments’.”

Dean Bell and his wife Jackie are loving being grandparents to Arabella, 8 months, and Lucas, 3 (not pictured).

Now, Bell leads a quieter life with Jackie, his wife of 40 years, and spending time with grandkids Lucas, 3, and 8-month-old Arabella.

“You have your children and obviously you’d do anything for them … but then the grandkids come along and, probably because I’m getting older and I know that we’re in the second half of our lives, you just really appreciate them.

“They’re like therapy for us, and we can’t get enough of them.”

His other focus is his work for Harbour Hospice, where he’s daily humbled by the efforts of volunteers to support a vital service that relied on community grants and fundraising for half its funding.

“Most of the people I work alongside in the shop are volunteers, and just seeing the time and energy they give every day makes me feel very humble.”

Gym membership is no longer necessary for former rugby league legend Dean Bell since he became a driver and storeman for Harbour Hospice in Whangaparāoa.

And he was enjoying a job that not only kept him active enough to drop his gym membership, but also allowed him to leave work at work.

“As cliched as it sounds, I’m probably living my best life now. I’ve had a lot of pressure in my life and a lot of pressure to perform, so I’ve wanted to turn that tap off a little bit.

“I’ve come to a job … where I don’t have to take it home.”

From 'Mean Dean' to shop storeman - Where is former Warriors captain now?

He's humbled every day by those around him, league legend says.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

View: https://www.facebook.com/HarbourHospiceNZ/posts/pfbid07ApbpexNS7z5krwKtPyXhV3aFmuwHQjMW7XpgrCka4vTn8kECpqemsPwDWwSuBEtl​

 

[mt.wellington]

Where are they now: Inaugural Warriors captain Dean Bell​

Brendon Egan
March 2, 2025

Dean Bell leads the Warriors onto Mt Smart Stadium against the Wests Magpies in their debut season in 1995.Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Dean Bell will forever be known as Warrior No 1.

The Kiwi league legend returned from England for the Warriors’ inaugural season in 1995, captaining them as they narrowly missed out on the finals.

His greatest years were spent with English powerhouse, Wigan, from 1986-94, where he won a raft of titles and was named Man of Steel in 1992 – England rugby league’s player of the season.

Bell, now 62, has done it all in rugby league. He coached the Leeds Rhinos for two seasons (1996-97) and served in a variety of off-field roles with the Warriors from 2007-15, including general manager of football.

He speaks to Brendon Egan in this week’s ‘Where are they now?’.

Dean Bell pictured in 2014 when he was Warriors’ general manager of football operations. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

You work for Harbour Hospice these days. What does the job involve?

I’m a storeman-driver. I just make sure everything is organised in the shop and do a lot of lifting and stuff that keeps me fit these days. It keeps me out of trouble. It’s a pretty physically demanding role, which is something I like. I just wanted to look for something that was challenging me physically. It’s pretty important I stay fit, especially with what my body has been through over the years.

I want to do something in the community that makes a difference as well. The Hospice is a great organisation to work for –the help they’re giving people and their families in a really emotional time of life.

Captain Dean Bell leads the Warriors onto the field at Mt Smart Stadium ahead of their first game in club history against the Brisbane Broncos in 1995.Photosport

What are your most vivid memories captaining the Warriors in their first match in club history against Brisbane in 1995?

Just a sense of pride really. I was at the end of my career and it was such an honour to be leading the team out in such an event like it was. I don’t think there’s been too many sporting events in New Zealand that could challenge that night really. It was like something I’ve never been involved with, even though I’ve played in a lot of big games all around the world. I’ve played at Wembley in front of 100,000 people – the atmosphere was very similar.

I’ve met that many people over the years that have told me they were at the game. There must have been about 200,000 people at that game.

Warriors captain Dean Bell on the attack in their first game in club history against the Brisbane Broncos in 1995.Photosport

How did you find the euphoria behind the Warriors in season one. Did it exceed your expectations?

Rugby league, right up until that year, didn’t really have much profile apart from when the Kiwis played Australia. If we beat them your profile would raise a little bit. The game itself was a pretty small sport in a lot of ways [in New Zealand]. All of a sudden in that year, and through a lot of smart marketing and the whole country getting behind it, it showed the country was ready for the Warriors. It did surprise me how big it was. It was nice for players to get recognised. It was really cool for some of the young players to have a little bit of profile around what they do.

From left, Dean Bell, Phil Blake, Andy Platt, and Stephen Kearney pictured before the Warriors' debut season in 1995.Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

How did you find out you were the Warriors’ inaugural captain?

It was while John Monie was still at Wigan coaching us. He’d already been announced as the Auckland Warriors first coach and I was happy for him. Not for one second did I think I would be going over there with him. After a training session at Wigan he got me in the car park as I was going into my car and said, ‘Dean, I want you to come back and captain the Warriors in their first session’. I actually thought he was joking at first. I was coming to the back end of my career.

What ate away at me was I’ve always taken on challenges when they have been offered to me. I thought I’ll probably regret it if I didn’t do it and so why not have a go and if all goes well it might be a really good thing for me. Looking back, if anyone said to me write a story about how you’d like your last year to be as a player word for word and scene for scene that would have been it.

Wigan captain Dean Bell holds the Challenge Cup aloft after beating Castleford in the final at Wembley in 1992.Photosport

You won a stack of titles at Wigan. Which of them means the most to you?

I think there was one year we had to win something like 10 games in about 18 days because we’d got to the final of all the competitions we’d played in. Back in those days we used to play in four competitions. I remember one year I played in 52 games, because I played in all the games. It would have been the year we had to win those remaining 10 games in about 18 days, whatever it was.

We were playing games like every other day sort of thing. Just to get through that and win the championship back in those days, which was like winning a grand final, that was really taxing physically and mentally. Fifty-two games in a year is a pretty silly thing when you think about it.

Wigan captain Dean Bell lifts the trophy after the Challenge Cup final against Widnes at Wembley in 1993.Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

You played in seven Challenge Cup finals for Wigan at Wembley, winning all of them. How much of a thrill was it playing at the famed venue?

Magic – that’s boyhood dream stuff. I know when my dad used to get me up in the early hours of the morning, either to watch the Challenge Cup or watch an FA Cup [football] final, usually those two games on at Wembley. Just like any eight, nine year-old watching that and playing rugby league as I did and thinking maybe one day I could be there. Never in a million years did I think I could get there so many times as I did.

I always remember that first game [against Halifax in the 1988 final] because that was really, really surreal. There was over 100,000 people that day. The official crowd was 93,000, but there was about 10,000 people outside waiting to get in when the kickoff time arrived, so they had to delay it. They opened the gates and let the people outside in and they were sitting around the greyhound track, which used to be around the outside of the field.

Former Warriors captain Dean Bell salutes the crowd before a home game against Manly at Mt Smart Stadium in 2023.Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

What made Wigan such a juggernaut in those days?

I think it was a special gathering of a lot of winners. You had a lot of characters in the team and all different types of characters too. Everybody loved to win. We would train hard, we would play hard, and we had different ways of winning too. If it was a Martin Offiah 100m try or if we had to grind this one out in the mud of Bradford Northern and win 4-2 or whatever. We had a lot of mental toughness within that group.

It didn’t matter if somebody left. If Ellery Hanley left, somebody would take their place. It was just a really good culture we had. We weren’t always everybody’s best friend. We didn’t live in each other’s space off the field all the time. You always had your close mates, but we were all quite different. When it came to game day we had a ruthless streak about us, we really did.

The Warriors open the season in Las Vegas on Sunday, but you beat them to it playing an exhibition game for Wigan against Warrington in Milwaukee in 1989. What was the US experience like?

We played at the Milwaukee baseball stadium [then County Stadium]. When we arrived there the third base was in the middle of the field right. If anybody understands baseball bases they’re like concrete and they’re raised about a foot above the flat ground around it. Obviously you couldn’t play a game of rugby league with that in the middle of the field, so they had to narrow the pitch.

We were playing Warrington, one of our biggest rivals, on a postage stamp basically. It was like a wrestling match in a lot of ways because you couldn’t play a lot of free-flowing rugby league, the pitch was so narrow. The 18,000 or whatever that turned up that day they loved it because there was a lot of biffo and a lot of hard stuff.

Warriors captain Dean Bell scores a try against the Roosters at Mt Smart in 1995.Troy Restieaux/Photosport

You were coached by Graham Lowe at Wigan and the Kiwis. What’s your funniest moment involving him?

We had a couple of days in Milwaukee, which was quite an experience before we flew out home and Graham Lowe was leaving us. That was his final game [coaching Wigan]. We had a glass lift in the middle of the hotel in Milwaukee. It must have gone up 20 floors.

We grabbed Graham. We stripped him naked and we got our big prop forward to shift him against the lift and each floor he was going up and down about three or four times naked. We just kept him going up and down. He couldn’t do anything because our prop forward was just holding him up. His hands and feet were tied up with insulation tape as well. He couldn’t move. We thought we’d give him a good send off, that’s all.

Warriors captain Dean Bell and team-mates thank the crowd after a pre-season match against Canterbury in Christchurch in 1995.Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

How did Lowe compare to John Monie, who coached you at the Warriors and Wigan?

They were both very demanding. Graham was probably more of a motivator really as well. Graham was just such a good man manager. He knew how to bring the best out of each player, whether that be riding them hard at training or an arm around the shoulders. Whatever it needed he knew how to do it. He was just a coach well ahead of his time.

I had a really good relationship with John and he was always easy to work with. He was demanding because he wanted everybody to play with a professional approach like they should do. That was a bit of a hard thing at first when we had to deal with a lot of local players [at the Warriors] which obviously takes time to be that professional that you want to be.

Dean Bell looks to break out of a tackle against the Canberra Raiders in 1995.Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

What are your expectations for the Warriors in 2025?

I’m too experienced to get too carried away. Two years ago they were in a really good position to probably go all the way, but they just couldn’t raise their game in the playoffs. It would have been nice to take it another step forward last year, but they didn’t. They actually took a step back.

I actually think the coach [Andrew Webster] is pretty smart and he would have learned a lot of lessons about that year, last year. They’ve certainly got the depth of players, there’s no doubt about that. There’d be a lot of clubs that would be very envious of our front row. You’ve got [Mitchell] Barnett and James Fisher-Harris, obviously both co-captains. They’re the kind of leaders that take you to finals. They’ve got to get everybody else behind them and doing the same. A lot of how they go too this year depends on how the halves gel together really and what is going to be the best combination.

The Post

www.thepost.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

Old article but posted for prosperity...

Bell inducted into Ōtara Hall of Fame​

Author warriors.kiwi & Photosport.nz
Tue 8 Oct 2019, 03:54 pm

Foundation Auckland Warriors captain and rugby league great Dean Bell along with Samoan rugby union legend Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa will be inducted into the hall of fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards.

They will both be recognised with lifetime achievement awards before being inducted into the Ōtara Hall of Fame at the awards ceremony at Kia Aroha College on Sunday, November 30.

While Fatialofa will be inducted posthumously, Bell will attend the prestigious event which honours the sporting achievements of Ōtara sports people including athletes, administrators and coaches.

“I’m extremely proud to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our new inductees, Dean Bell and Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa for their outstanding careers and contributions to their respective sporting codes,” says Lotu Fuli, chairperson of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

“Dean and Papali’itele embodied Ōtara community values and a true trailblazer spirit. They both harnessed their homegrown talents to captain their countries and build great careers which inspired players and supporters around the world.”

The judges panel selected the accomplished duo for their sporting excellence and success at the highest level of rugby league and rugby union.

“I’m truly honoured to be recognised as an inductee to the Hall of Fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards,” said Bell, who grew up on Clarkson Crescent in the area and attended local schools Mayfield Primary School, Bairds Intermediate and Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

“I will always be grateful for my Ōtara upbringing. It’s a place that instilled old-school values that I’ve applied successfully during my sporting career in Australia, England, New Zealand and throughout life.”

Fatialofa resided on Cobham Crescent, before moving to Preston Road and then Charntay Ave during the period he played provincial rugby for Auckland and for Manu Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Post-career, he coached at East Tamaki Rugby Club and completed his coaching certificate at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

“Our family are truly humbled by this esteemed honour for our late father,” says Jeremiah Fatialofa, the oldest of nine children.

“He was a proud Ōtara man who had a big heart to serve community through rugby. He gave his best to help East Tamaki Rugby Club and also provide opportunities to young people in the area to make a career in the game he loved.”

Bell and Fatialofa are the latest inductees to the illustrious Hall of Fame. They join Ruben Wiki, Tawera Nikau (both rugby league), Eric Rush (All Blacks and New Zealand Sevens) and Temepara Bailey (Silver Ferns) of the Class of 2017. Brett Leaver, Mark Leaver (Black Sticks Hockey) and Monique Hirovanaa (Black Ferns) make up the Class of 2018.

Nominations for the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards can be submitted at otarasportsawards.co.nz and close at 7.00pm on Sunday, November 3, 2019. Candidates must have been a member of a club, school or live in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Ōtara subdivision in the qualifying period. All winners for the 13 sporting categories will be announced at the awards ceremony.

The 2019 judges panel is made up of Ōtara sporting and community leaders - Tagaloa Willie Maea (Chairperson, Ōtara Scorpion Rugby League), Apulu Reece Autagavaia (Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board), Magele Sosefina Paletaoga (Incoming CEO Ōtara Health Chartiable Trust), Judith Riki (Pouhiwa/Associate Principal Kia Aroha College) and Ian Toki (Chairperson, East Tamaki Rugby Club and Manager at Ōtara Library).

DEAN BELL

Married to Jackie, father of two children

Glittering 14-year career including stints at Wigan Warriors, Eastern Suburbs and one final season as captain of the original Auckland Warriors in 1995

Position: Centre, wing, loose forward

New Zealand rugby league international (26 tests)

Captained New Zealand in four tests including 1988 World Cup final

Wigan Warriors - 253 games, 96 tries

Auckland Warriors - Foundation captain, Warrior #1

Wembley Challenge Cup winner seven consecutive years with Wigan (three years as captain)

NZRL Player of the Year

NZ māori Sports Personality of the Year

Man of Steel Award

Lance Todd Trophy Winner

Inducted into NZRL ‘Immortals’

Inducted into NZRL ‘Legends’

Inducted into Wigan RLFC ‘Hall of Fame’

‘This is Your Life Recipient’ (UK)

Ethnicity: māori (Iwi, Te Arawa), NZ European

PAPALI'ITELE PETER FATIALOFA

Born Auckland, April 26, 1959

Died Samoa, November 6, 2013

Married to Anne, father of nine children

Member New Zealand Order of Merit

Manu Samoa Rugby Union international (34 games, 1989-1996)

Captained Manu Samoa at their inaugural Rugby World Cup campaign 1991

Bestowed high chief title of Papali’itele from the village of Sapapali’i, from Malietoa II, Head of State, after Manu Samoa’s success at the 1991 Rugby World Cup

Position: Prop

71 games for Auckland after debuting in 1984 and, for the following eight years, was a member of the side during one of Auckland's most dominant eras.

Coach of the Manu Sina rugby side which qualified for the 2014 Rugby World Cup.

Technical advisor to 1st XV at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

Ethnicity: Samoan

Bell inducted into Ōtara Hall of Fame

Foundation Auckland Warriors captain and rugby league great Dean Bell as well as Samoan rugby union legend Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa will be inducted into the hall of fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[sup42]

Old article but posted for prosperity...

Bell inducted into Ōtara Hall of Fame​

Author warriors.kiwi & Photosport.nz
Tue 8 Oct 2019, 03:54 pm

Foundation Auckland Warriors captain and rugby league great Dean Bell along with Samoan rugby union legend Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa will be inducted into the hall of fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards.

They will both be recognised with lifetime achievement awards before being inducted into the Ōtara Hall of Fame at the awards ceremony at Kia Aroha College on Sunday, November 30.

While Fatialofa will be inducted posthumously, Bell will attend the prestigious event which honours the sporting achievements of Ōtara sports people including athletes, administrators and coaches.

“I’m extremely proud to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our new inductees, Dean Bell and Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa for their outstanding careers and contributions to their respective sporting codes,” says Lotu Fuli, chairperson of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.

“Dean and Papali’itele embodied Ōtara community values and a true trailblazer spirit. They both harnessed their homegrown talents to captain their countries and build great careers which inspired players and supporters around the world.”

The judges panel selected the accomplished duo for their sporting excellence and success at the highest level of rugby league and rugby union.

“I’m truly honoured to be recognised as an inductee to the Hall of Fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards,” said Bell, who grew up on Clarkson Crescent in the area and attended local schools Mayfield Primary School, Bairds Intermediate and Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

“I will always be grateful for my Ōtara upbringing. It’s a place that instilled old-school values that I’ve applied successfully during my sporting career in Australia, England, New Zealand and throughout life.”

Fatialofa resided on Cobham Crescent, before moving to Preston Road and then Charntay Ave during the period he played provincial rugby for Auckland and for Manu Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Post-career, he coached at East Tamaki Rugby Club and completed his coaching certificate at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

“Our family are truly humbled by this esteemed honour for our late father,” says Jeremiah Fatialofa, the oldest of nine children.

“He was a proud Ōtara man who had a big heart to serve community through rugby. He gave his best to help East Tamaki Rugby Club and also provide opportunities to young people in the area to make a career in the game he loved.”

Bell and Fatialofa are the latest inductees to the illustrious Hall of Fame. They join Ruben Wiki, Tawera Nikau (both rugby league), Eric Rush (All Blacks and New Zealand Sevens) and Temepara Bailey (Silver Ferns) of the Class of 2017. Brett Leaver, Mark Leaver (Black Sticks Hockey) and Monique Hirovanaa (Black Ferns) make up the Class of 2018.

Nominations for the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards can be submitted at otarasportsawards.co.nz and close at 7.00pm on Sunday, November 3, 2019. Candidates must have been a member of a club, school or live in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, Ōtara subdivision in the qualifying period. All winners for the 13 sporting categories will be announced at the awards ceremony.

The 2019 judges panel is made up of Ōtara sporting and community leaders - Tagaloa Willie Maea (Chairperson, Ōtara Scorpion Rugby League), Apulu Reece Autagavaia (Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board), Magele Sosefina Paletaoga (Incoming CEO Ōtara Health Chartiable Trust), Judith Riki (Pouhiwa/Associate Principal Kia Aroha College) and Ian Toki (Chairperson, East Tamaki Rugby Club and Manager at Ōtara Library).

DEAN BELL

Married to Jackie, father of two children

Glittering 14-year career including stints at Wigan Warriors, Eastern Suburbs and one final season as captain of the original Auckland Warriors in 1995

Position: Centre, wing, loose forward

New Zealand rugby league international (26 tests)

Captained New Zealand in four tests including 1988 World Cup final

Wigan Warriors - 253 games, 96 tries

Auckland Warriors - Foundation captain, Warrior #1

Wembley Challenge Cup winner seven consecutive years with Wigan (three years as captain)

NZRL Player of the Year

NZ māori Sports Personality of the Year

Man of Steel Award

Lance Todd Trophy Winner

Inducted into NZRL ‘Immortals’

Inducted into NZRL ‘Legends’

Inducted into Wigan RLFC ‘Hall of Fame’

‘This is Your Life Recipient’ (UK)

Ethnicity: māori (Iwi, Te Arawa), NZ European

PAPALI'ITELE PETER FATIALOFA

Born Auckland, April 26, 1959

Died Samoa, November 6, 2013

Married to Anne, father of nine children

Member New Zealand Order of Merit

Manu Samoa Rugby Union international (34 games, 1989-1996)

Captained Manu Samoa at their inaugural Rugby World Cup campaign 1991

Bestowed high chief title of Papali’itele from the village of Sapapali’i, from Malietoa II, Head of State, after Manu Samoa’s success at the 1991 Rugby World Cup

Position: Prop

71 games for Auckland after debuting in 1984 and, for the following eight years, was a member of the side during one of Auckland's most dominant eras.

Coach of the Manu Sina rugby side which qualified for the 2014 Rugby World Cup.

Technical advisor to 1st XV at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

Ethnicity: Samoan

Bell inducted into Ōtara Hall of Fame

Foundation Auckland Warriors captain and rugby league great Dean Bell as well as Samoan rugby union legend Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa will be inducted into the hall of fame at the 2019 Ōtara Sports Awards.

www.warriors.kiwi

Nice.

My all time favorite center.

He was such a smart defender, so tough, saw him get absolutely flattened more than once for Wigan, he just bounced straight back up. I think they called him the rubber ball man.

He was the same as Simon Mannering, you just couldn't get past him or break him. And he lead his mates to lift around him.

Great reader of the game, man he could play ball too. He was pretty much our best player in 95 on a busted body.

I will never forget he didn't want to play. He took the Warriors gig to help the franchise get off the ground, then refused an extention to play one more season in 1996.

Warriors first Captain and legend.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

BBC TV series from 1992 that he features in

View: https://youtu.be/srLzRG72o7I?si=9SFLB_LEYiYFitHH

The other episodes are on YouTube as well