VODAFONE WARRIORS ADOPT NEW SOUTH WALES TOWN TENTERFIELD FOR 2020 SEASON

Photo: Tenterfield

Auckland, New Zealand, December 5, 2019 – The Vodafone Warriors have today announced they’ve adopted the northern New South Wales town of Tenterfield, one of many communities suffering acutely after being ravaged by drought and bush fires.

Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George and Tenterfield Shire Council mayor Peter Petty have jointly confirmed a range of initiatives and events to lift spirits among people in the area.

The inland settlement, which has a population of a little more than 4000, is about 280km south-west of Brisbane. 

“We feel deeply for the New South Wales communities that have suffered such extreme hardship lately,” said George.

“They’re really hurting, including in Tenterfield, where the community has demonstrated such resilience through ongoing drought and recent bush fire events.

“While there are a lot of relief efforts across New South Wales, we wanted to take it to another level by reaching out and adopting a town like Tenterfield. We see this as giving us a chance of forming a meaningful relationship and doing what we can to lift spirits of the people there. If we can help in some small way that will be tremendous.”

Mayor Petty said he was humbled by the way the Vodafone Warriors had extended the hand of friendship.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Tenterfield,” he said.

“We are all excited to partner and connect with such a high-profile team, who are genuinely keen to support and encourage our communities. This relationship will empower our local youth and sporting groups and provide the whole community with a much-needed boost.”

George and Petty said the relationship will feature a number of events in 2020 enabling the Vodafone Warriors to connect with and boost spirits among the people in Tenterfield.

Plans are afoot for the Vodafone Warriors to have a presence at the annual Tenterfield Show in early February while club representatives will also visit the town to support both the Tenterfield Tigers seniors and juniors next season. It’s expected the trip will include visits to schools in the area.

Also scheduled is an appearance by Vodafone Warriors representatives at a mayor’s business and sports dinner to raise funds for all sports in Tenterfield.

“Ultimately our goal is to inspire, engage with and encourage a wonderful community which has shown incredible resilience in the face of enormous adversity in recent years,” said George.

“Rugby league can be the greatest friend of all for people when times are tough. We just want to give folk in Tenterfield a little joy and would encourage other NRL clubs to do the same.”

George and Petty said a full programme will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Ends

Hireme's signing huge coup

The Warriors have pulled off a huge coup by signing New Zealand sporting superstar Honey Hireme to headline their 22-strong squad for the second WNRL Premiership starting September.

The double rugby league-rugby union international and current Kiwi Ferns captain has been secured after appearing for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the inaugural WNRL last season.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Honey in our squad this year,” said Warriors head coach Luisa Avaiki.

“She’s a great athlete and an outstanding performer in all her sports.

“Honey is a fantastic example with the way she goes about her career, still maintaining the highest standards even after all the years she has been competing at the highest level.”

The 38-year-old Putaruru-born Hireme was again in superb form leading the Kiwi Ferns to a 46-8 win over Fetu Samoa at Mount Smart Stadium on June 22. She scored two tries and made 214 metres from 19 runs.

A disability sport adviser in Hamilton, Hireme is the standout signing in the Warriors’ 2019 squad. One of 11 new faces signed, she’s also one of 16 players who were in last month’s Kiwi Ferns and Fetu Samoa Test squads.

Among the other newcomers are former Fiji rugby union sevens stars Roela Radiniyavuni and Timaima Ravisa who clinched contracts after originally being scouted in Fiji. They’ve both being playing in the Auckland club competition this season.

Another new signing is Canterbury’s Charntay Poko, who made her Test debut in the halves against Samoa, while experienced former Kiwi Ferns winger Atawhai Tupaea makes a return to top-level football after giving birth to her second child.

Mosgiel-born Jules Newman, a 30-year-old cultural strategist, has been signed after she switched to rugby league from rugby union only three months ago. She immediately impressed in the code earning selection in the Kiwi Ferns’ 19-strong Test squad to face Samoa.

Apart from Hireme and Newman, other occupations listed by the squad members include mother, police, fitness co-ordinator, teacher aide, youth justice, student liaison officer, student, community co-ordinator, customer support and freight logistics.

Avaiki, who has Kiwi Ferns head coach Justin Morgan as assistant coach this season, said the squad would assemble in early August to train ahead of the WNRL starting on September 13-14.

She said the players’ focus had been on local club football. A big contingent of the signed players will be involved in the Auckland grand final between the Richmond Roses and Papakura Sisters at Mount Smart Stadium No 2 on Sunday (2.30pm kick-off).

Next on the agenda is the New Zealand Rugby League’s national women’s tournament at Bruce Pulman Park in Papakura from July 26-28.

WARRIORS SQUAD | 2019 WNRL

BILLY JEAN ALE (Akarana, Mount Albert Lions)

MADISON BARTLETT (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

GEORGIA HALE (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

HONEY HIREME (Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions, Hamilton City Tigers)

AMBER KANI (Counties Manukau, Manurewa Marlins)

ONJEURLINA LEIATAUA (Counties Manukau, Otahuhu Leopards)

HILDA MARIU (Counties Manukau, Papakura Sisters)

VA’ANESSA MOLIA-FRASER (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

JULES NEWMAN (Akarana, Mount Albert Lions)

APII NICHOLLS (Counties Manukau, Papakura Sisters)

TANIKA-JAZZ NOBLE-BELL (Akarana, Mount Albert)

ANNETTA-CLAUDIA NUUAUSALA (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

KANYON PAUL (Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions, Hamilton City Tigers)

CHARNTAY POKO (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

ROELA RADINIYAVUNI (Richmond Roses)

TIMAIMA RAVISA (Richmond Roses)

KRYSTAL ROTA (Counties Manukau, Papakura Sisters)

TASIA SEUMANUFAGAI (Victoria, Combined Affiliated States)

AIESHALEIGH SMALLEY (Counties Manukau, Otahuhu Leopards)

CRYSTAL TAMARUA (Akarana, Richmond Roses)

ATAWHAI TUPAEA (Counties Manukau, Papakura Sisters)

KATHLEEN WHARTON KEREMETE (Counties Manukau, Papakura Sisters)

-Warriors NZ

PAASI BACK FOR STORM ENCOUNTER

Richard Becht & Photosport.nz

Auckland, New Zealand, June 04, 2019 – Agnatius Paasi returns from a one-match suspension and fellow prop Chris Satae has been brought onto the interchange for the Vodafone Warriors’ 13th-round NRL encounter with the Melbourne Storm at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday (5.00pm kick-off).

Paasi missed the 2-8 loss to Brisbane but comes straight back into the starting line-up following the club’s bye last weekend.

While he is back Ligi Sao is out after playing the last three matches against St George Illawarra, Penrith and Brisbane.

Sao was impressive for the Vodafone Warriors in the Canterbury Cup NSW competition on Saturday making 184 metres from 17 carries and 27 tackles against Newtown but he has picked up a one-game ban for a careless high tackle in the match.

That sees the 26-year-old Satae back in the mix for just his second appearance this year and his 15th in total. He was also prominent in the Canterbury Cup side’s 20-20 draw with the Jets with 131 metres from 13 runs plus 34 tackles while the previous week he produced 237 metres from 20 runs and 30 tackles in 59 minutes against the Sea Eagles.

Paasi’s reinstatement results in Bunty Afoa slotting back into his familiar interchange role while Lachlan Burr, who has started in 10 of the team’s 11 matches this year, has been switched to the bench with veteran Adam Blair named at loose forward for his 299th career appearance.

The Storm are leading the competition with a 9-2 record, ranked ahead of South Sydney on points differential.

As usual the Michael Moore Trophy will be on the line. The Vodafone Warriors haven’t held it since beating Melbourne 28-14 in Auckland in 2015 with the Storm sitting on a run of seven consecutive victories including this year’s 13-12 success on Anzac Day.

This will be the 44th contest between the two clubs, the most the Vodafone Warriors have played against any side.

Melbourne holds a 25-16 advantage with two matches drawn but the ledger is just 11-9 its way in battles at Mount Smart Stadium. 

VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM

5.00pm, Saturday, June 8, 2019

Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)

2 DAVID FUSITU’A

3 PETA HIKU

4 PATRICK HERBERT

5 KEN MAUMALO

6 KODI NIKORIMA

7 BLAKE GREEN

8 AGNASTIUS PAASI

9 ISSAC LUKE

10 LEESON AH MAU

11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I

12 TOHU HARRIS

13 ADAM BLAIR

Interchange:

14 LACHLAN BURR

15 BUNTY AFOA 

16 CHRIS SATAE

17 KARL LAWTON

18 GERARD BEALE

20 LEIVAHA PULU

21 JACKSON FREI

22 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA

HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY

Vodafone Warriors announces Warriors eSports team

Vodafone Warriors partnering with successful Australasian eSports team Blank Esports

Continuing to innovatively expand their reach into new audiences and markets, the Vodafone Warriors today announced they are partnering with Blank Esports, which last year won Best International Performance of the Year at the 2018 Esports Pro Awards. 

The New Zealand-based team, which will now be known as Warriors Esports, will continue to compete in the Australian Overwatch Contenders League but will aggressively look to expand into other eSports before the end of the year. 

Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said the new partnership was an exciting forum for the club to be involved in as eSports continues to grow both locally and globally. 

“It’s estimated that this year around 427 million people worldwide will be watching some form of eSports, so for the Vodafone Warriors it was a no brainer to have a presence in this growing industry,” he said. 

“We know that many of our current fans are eSports fanatics, as are many of our players, and we also hope to engage a different audience by having a presence through this exciting new partnership.” 

Blank Esports chairman Mark David said the organisation was excited to be partnering with one of Australasia’s biggest sporting brands.  

“The Vodafone Warriors will bring sports science expertise to our players and overall professionalism to how our club operates,” he said.  

“In return we will expand their brand to a new demographic. This is a fantastic opportunity for Vodafone Warriors fans and New Zealand esports fans to get behind a homegrown success story as we get ready to make Warriors Esports the most successful club in Asia Pacific.” 

About Blank Esports:

Blank Esports was founded in 2017 and was one of the first Australasian esport teams to compete internationally. The team has played across Asia Pacific – China in 2017, Taiwan from 2017 to 2018 – until finally returning to New Zealand to compete in the Overwatch Contenders Australia in 2019. The team also represented Australia in the 2017 Overwatch World Cup held in Los Angles where it was placed eighth in the world.

BEALE NAMED TO REPLACE FUSITU’A

Auckland, New Zealand, April 23, 2019 – Kiwi international Gerard Beale replaces David Fusitu’a on the right wing while Blake Green has again been listed at halfback for the Vodafone Warriors’ traditional Anzac Day encounter with Melbourne at AMII Park on Thursday (7.50pm kick-off local time; 9.50pm NZT).

Beale was used in the centres in last Saturday night’s 10-17 loss to North Queensland, coming into the side in the backline reshuffle which saw Peta Hiku move into the halves after Green was ruled out.

The 181-game veteran started three of his 13 Vodafone Warriors appearances on the wing last season.

Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney has again listed Green alongside rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves. He said the senior playmaker is being given every opportunity to prove his fitness after missing the narrow losses to South Sydney and the Cowboys with a groin injury.

The rest of the starting line-up named plus the first four players on the interchange are the same as those used against the Cowboys. Two changes have been made on the extended bench with standoff Hayze Perham and front rower Chris Satae joining middle forward Leivaha Pulu and centre Patrick Herbert.

Only nine of the 21 players selected were involved in last year’s corresponding Anzac Day fixture – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Hiku, Ken Maumalo, Green, Bunty Afoa, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali’i, Adam Blair and Jazz Tevaga. Former Melbourne second rower Tohu Harris, who missed the 2018 match with injury, is set to experience his first Anzac Day battle as a Vodafone Warrior.

The Vodafone Warriors head into the seventh-round match sitting 10th on the ladder for what will be the 10th Anzac Day match involving the two clubs. Since the first contest in 2009 – a 14-14 golden point draw – the Vodafone Warriors have won twice (in 2011 and 2016) while Melbourne has six victories.

After winning their first five games this season, the table-topping Storm fell to a 20-21 golden point loss to the Sydney Roosters in last Friday night’s 2018 grand final rematch.

With the Michael Moore Trophy again on the line, the Vodafone Warriors will be taking on the Storm for the 43rd time. The overall record favours Melbourne 24-16 with two draws.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM

7.50pm, Thursday, April 25, 2019

AMII Park, Melbourne

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)

2 GERARD BEALE

3 PETA HIKU

4 SOLOMONE KATA

5 KEN MAUMALO

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA

7 BLAKE GREEN

8 AGNATIUS PAASI

9 ISSAC LUKE

10 LEESON AH MAU

11 ADAM BLAIR

12 TOHU HARRIS

13 LACHLAN BURR

Interchange:

14 JAZZ TEVAGA

15 ISAIAH PAPALI’I

16 BUNTY AFOA

17 NATHANIEL ROACHE

18 HAYZE PERHAM

20 LEIVAHA PULU

21 PATRICK HERBERT

23 CHRIS SATAE

HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY

-Warriors

LUKE AND LISONE TO RETURN FOR SUNSHINE COAST CLASH

Auckland, New Zealand, April 10, 2019 – Issac Luke and Sam Lisone are both in line to return for the Vodafone Warriors against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on the Sunshine Coast this weekend after being included on an extended bench.

Luke didn’t return in the second half against the Sea Eagles in Christchurch in round three due to a hamstring complaint. He then missed last week’s win over the Titans.

But after a good hit out at training on Tuesday, a return against his old club this weekend is on the cards.

Lisone is also available for selection after serving a two-match suspension.

“We weren’t prepared to risk Issac last week against the Titans,” coach Stephen Kearney said.

“But he’s trained well since then and will certainly be given every opportunity to play this weekend.”

Kearney has also named Jazz Tevaga on the bench.

The utility has been charged with dangerous contact on Titans forward Shannon Boyd but is pleading not guilty and his case will be heard by the NRL judiciary at 8pm (NZT) on Tuesday.

If successful, he will be free to play against South Sydney, while an unfavourable decision will see him miss one game.

“We’ve included Jazz in our squad for this weekend and are hoping he gets the all-clear to play,” Kearney added.

Saturday’s clash against the Rabbitohs will be the first NRL fixture played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The venue will be familiar to a number of Vodafone Warriors players, however, after the club played a pre-season trial there against the Gold Coast Titans in 2018.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5pm NZT.

2019 NRL

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS v VODAFONE WARRIORS

5pm (NZT), Saturday, April 13, 2019

Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina, Queensland

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)

2 DAVID FUSITU’A

3 PETA HIKU

4 SOLOMONE KATA

5 KEN MAUMALO

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA

7 BLAKE GREEN

8 AGNATIUS PAASI

9 KARL LAWTON

10 LEESON AH MAU

11 ADAM BLAIR

12 TOHU HARRIS

13 LACHLAN BURR

Interchange:

14 JAZZ TEVAGA

15 ISAIAH PAPALI’I

16 BUNTY AFOA

17 SAM LISONE

18 LIGI SAO

20 GERARD BEALE

21 ADAM KEIGHRAN

22 ISSAC LUKE

HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY

VODAFONE WARRIORS AND BLUES OFFER UNIQUE DEAL

Auckland, New Zealand, April 3, 2019 – The Vodafone Warriors and Blues have joined forces to offer a unique cross-code experience for this weekend’s double header against Aussie opposition. 

Members and fans of both the Vodafone Warriors and Blues will be able to attend each other’s matches this weekend with their single ticket.  

The Vodafone Warriors take on Gold Coast Titans in the NRL at Mt Smart Stadium at 8pm on Friday while the Blues host the Waratahs in the Investec Super Rugby at Eden Park at 7.35pm on Saturday. 

The two clubs have joined to offer fans entry to both games with a ticket to either game.  

Anyone who has a valid ticket to Friday’s game against the Titans, including membership cards and corporate tickets, will be able to gain entry to the Blues game on Saturday night, and likewise ticketholders and members of the Blues can scan their match ticket for entry to Mt Smart Stadium a day earlier. 

Seating for fans at the reciprocal venue will be available in specified General Admission areas.   

“We are hugely excited about this initiative and what it means for our members and sports fans in Auckland,” Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said. 

“We are always searching for new ways to add value for our fans and encourage them to attend games. We don’t see the Blues as our competition.  

“We’d prefer to work with them and hopefully this is just the start of things to come. Ultimately, we want fans in Auckland to get along to live sport and get behind both teams.” 

The Blues are also right behind what is a unique opportunity in New Zealand sport. 

“The two clubs work together and explore opportunities when we can,” Blues CEO Michael Redman said.

 “Some of our loyal fans also follow the fortunes of the Warriors and this is a chance to support them.  

“Likewise, this is an enormous opportunity for the general sports fan to support the Warriors on Friday and the Blues on Saturday for the price of one ticket. 

“It’s a great chance for fans to show their support for the two oval ball teams in this city.” 

-          A valid match ticket for either Vodafone Warriors v Titans on Friday, April 5 or Blues v Waratahs on Saturday, April 6 is required for entry at the respective venues.

-          Seating at the reciprocal venues will be in specified General Admission areas regardless of the seating category selected at the original point of purchase. GA capacity is limited, and patrons will be admitted on a first come basis.

-          Vodafone Warriors and Blues ticketholders can use their match ticket on Friday, April 5 to travel to Mt Smart Stadium on trains only. Blues and Vodafone Warriors ticketholders can use their match ticket to travel to Eden Park on Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga special events buses, the NX1 bus services to Britomart and trains on Saturday, April 6.

-Warriors / Blues

VODAFONE WARRIORS AND MANLY UNITE FOR CHRISTCHURCH

Auckland, New Zealand, March 29, 2019 – The Vodafone Warriors and Manly Sea Eagles will proudly carry the hashtag #TheyAreUs into tomorrow’s NRL match in Christchurch. 

In a show of solidarity, the hashtag #TheyAreUs will appear on the playing jerseys of both teams as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the recent tragedy in Christchurch. 

The hashtag #TheyAreUs came about after New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden used the words during a press conference after the shooting attacks at two mosques in Christchurch that resulted in 50 deaths.  

The hashtag #TheyAreUs will appear on the back of the Vodafone Warriors jersey under the player numbers while it will sit under the Sea Eagles crest on the Manly jerseys.  

Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said his team would continue to wear the #TheyAreUs hashtag on their jerseys for the rest of the year when they play at home as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in Christchurch. 

“Like everyone, we were devastated with what happened a fortnight ago and we wanted to come up with a way to honour those who lost their lives,” George said. 

“The new material on our jersey meant we couldn’t put the hashtag on our chest under our logo. We weren’t going to let that stop us, though, and were determined to do something lasting and meaningful.

 “For us, it’s a real privilege to be playing a game in Christchurch – a city that has been through so much. 

“Our community team and injured players have been on the ground since Wednesday and I know Stephen Kearney and the boys are determined to get down there and put in a fitting performance on Saturday for the locals who have been through so much.” 

The round three NRL match is the second consecutive year the Manly Sea Eagles have played a home game in Christchurch.  

Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman said the club was proud to have the hashtag #TheyAreUs on their jerseys.

 “What happened in Christchurch was beyond belief and our thoughts and prayers have been with the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and those who are still undergoing medical treatment,’’ Gorman said. 

“The people of Christchurch warmly embraced our club during our visit last year and we were incredibly humbled and honoured by it. 

“In this time of real sadness, this is an opportunity for us to again be amongst the people of Christchurch and hopefully make some small contribution and difference to a healing process that is extraordinary in its nature.  

“For us, it is about being humble and respectful and working with the city’s leaders to see how we can support this wonderful community in their greatest time of need. 

“The power of sport can actually bring people together, give them a reason to celebrate, give them something to look forward to, build hope for a brighter future as well as honour the recent tragic events.

“I truly believe that sport can play a significant role in the healing process. It is one of the great outlets that inspires and unites communities in good times and bad. Hopefully Saturday’s game will be a part of that process.” 

Before kick-off on Saturday, both teams will take the field together and join arms in a circle to observe a minute’s silence.

- NZ Warriors

LUKE TO START AS LAWTON NAMED ON EXTENDED BENCH

Auckland, New Zealand, March 26, 2019 – Issac Luke has been named at hooker while Karl Lawton has been included on an extended bench for the Vodafone Warriors ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Sea Eagles at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The Vodafone Warriors will head into the “away” game looking to bounce back after a loss to the Wests Tigers last Sunday.

All 17 players who took the field at Campbelltown have been named in this week’s line up with Lawton’s inclusion in the place of Nate Roache the only change to the 21-man squad named by coach Stephen Kearney last Tuesday.

Roache was a late withdrawal from the Tigers game after suffering from calf tightness at the captains’ run.

“Last week’s performance against the Tigers was disappointing,” Kearney said.

“I’m expecting our players to respond accordingly and Saturday’s game against Manly gives us a good chance to do that.

“Nate’s still got a bit of tightness in his calf so we won’t be risking him this week.”

Although he has been charged by the NRL judiciary for dangerous contact on Tigers forward Mikaele Thomas, prop Sam Lisone has been included on the Vodafone Warriors’ bench.

He is pleading not guilty and his hearing will take place at NRL headquarters in Sydney at 9pm (NZT) this evening.

If he fails to overturn the charge, Lisone will be sidelined for two games.

Likewise, Lawton, who played for the club’s Canterbury Cup NSW team last weekend, has been charged with tripping. After also pleading not guilty, his hearing will take place on Wednesday night.

If found guilty, Lawton will miss one game.

Should either player be ruled out, the Vodafone Warriors will be able to replace them in the 21-man squad for Saturday’s game against the Sea Eagles.

Manly, who are officially the home team this weekend, will head into the game having yet to record a win this season after losses to the Tigers and Roosters.

2019 NRL

MANLY SEA EAGLES v VODAFONE WARRIORS

5pm, Saturday, March 30, 2019

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)

2 DAVID FUSITU’A

3 PETA HIKU

4 SOLOMONE KATA

5 KEN MAUMALO

6 ADAM KEIGHRAN

7 BLAKE GREEN

8 AGNATIUS PAASI

9 ISSAC LUKE

10 BUNTY AFOA

11 ADAM BLAIR

12 TOHU HARRIS

13 LACHLAN BURR

Interchange:

14 JAZZ TEVAGA

15 SAM LISONE

16 LEESON AH MAU

17 ISAIAH PAPALI’I

18 GERARD BEALE

20 LIGI SAO

21 KARL LAWTON

22 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA

HEAD COACH | STEPHEN KEARNEY