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Mad Butcher Club at MT SMART STADIUM, HOME of the MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS Sir Peter Leitch’s Mad Butcher Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 30 April 2015 Newsletter #70a To subscribe or unsubscribe email: [email protected] Kiwis and Junior Kiwis Training in Brisbane Photos courtesy of www.photosport.co.nz Support the Kiwis. Send an email of encouragement to [email protected] EXTER and I are living the make my debut as an interviewer. The word brotherhood gets used a Ddream, hanging out with the I don’t want to skite and do a lot lot, but it really means something Kiwis and Junior Kiwis in Bris- of name-dropping, so you will within the Kiwis. bane ahead of this weekend’s mas- just have to tune in to see who I sive round of international footy. collared. Three former players in David Solomona, Quentin Pongia and We owe a big vote of thanks to I don’t like to blow my own trum- Sam Panapa were all there, adding Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney and pet, because I am a pretty shy fel- their insights into what it is to pull NZRL boss Phil Holden for letting lah as you know, but I am expect- on the black and white vee. us be part of it. ing a call from TV producers the world over offering me my own Wednesday is the big team lunch, But despite having a ball, I’m dis- show as soon as this goes to air. Or with the Kiwis and Kangaroos all appointed there have not been a it could be that my debut might attending, so I’m looking forward few more emails in support of the coincide with my final appearance to catching up with a few of my boys, and indeed the Kiwi Ferns as an interviewer. Aussie mates as well. too. The Home Of A Legend On Thursday we are taking the The Prime Minister, the Minister boys out for a bite to eat, just to of Sport, Victoria Cross winner We are based in Brisbane at North get out of the hotel, so I’m looking Willie Apiata, the Governor-Gen- Devils, which was the home of forward to that one too. eral and even Marg Graydon from absolute Kiwis legend Mark Gra- Waiheke Island have all taken the ham, who of course is also one of Off To The Gold Coast time to do it, so I’m urging Mad the keynote speakers at our Kiwis Butcher Club members to get in lunch at the Ellerslie Events Cen- Looking forward to heading to the and do it too. tre in Auckland on June 12. Gold Coast, hopefully with two wins under our belt, to watch the Just send your email direct to If you are outside of Auckland and Junior Kiwis take on their Aussie [email protected] would like to attend that event, opposites. I just have this feeling which if I may say so myself, is that it is going to be a real belter. The messages mean a lot to the going to be amazing, check out: players, especially ahead of our www.grabaseat.co.nz. Then international footy just goes first ever “official” Anzac Test, and on and on though, with that game one that commemorates 100 years There are some deals online there. followed by the first ever interna- since the Gallipoli landings in Just click on packages and you will tional between Fiji and Papua New World War One. see the Ultimate League Weekend Guinea, and then Samoa takes on – in Auckland. I’d love to see you Tonga, and those are always crack- Games Will Be Televised there. ing games of high-intensity league. Great news from here in Queens- Food Seems To Be Pretty Wish You Were Here land. All three national sides will Important have their games screened on Sky. The weather has been fantastic, We all like a good feed, and I have the company superb, and even First up on Friday night will be the had a few over here. Dexter is pulling his weight, and Kiwi Ferns taking on the Jillaroos to be fair, there’s a lot of it to pull. in the curtain-raiser to the Kiwis Tuesday night I enjoyed a ter- So don’t forget those emails! v Kangaroos. That game is also on rific family team dinner, which Sky and Radio Sport are carrying I thought was excellent. Players Just send them direct to: commentary too. were invited to have their families [email protected] along, and it certainly adds to the Check Out The Footy Show culture of the Kiwis environment. Every time we get together it is Don’t miss The Footy Show on very family-orientated. Sky on Thursday night because I Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 2 Kiwis Fans at Training - North Devils Rugby League Club Every one that turned up at training wearing kiwi gear received a free flag from my mates from BLK. Justin Harbottle and Tony Harris Clem Henry & Justin Carroll loved Corey Page originally from Otaki just took the day off work to come! the BLK Kiwis Flag. out of Wellington. Josh Snr & Josh Jnr Harris are I just had to get a photo with this surf Jade Seaman proud to fly the Kiwi staunch Kiwi fans. board very nice. flag at training. Neri and his son Reuben Tamariki, Tyson & Acean Watene. Mike Tapp ex Christchurch resident. love the Kiwis. Brian Tamatea is Kiwi proud. Oakley Pakeho loved watching the Our first recipient of the Kiwis flag Kiwis train. young Jacob Mirrielees. Stu Bright from Kina Help U was all Ethyn Brown. smiles to get a free Kiwis flag. Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 3 In the Kiwis Camp Captain Mannering having a hearty Sam Moa and Isaac Luke at brekkie Sean Johnson, Kieran Foran, Isaac breakfast on the eve of the test. listening to some funky sounds. Luke and Manu Vatuvei. Shaun Johnson having breakfast at Tohu Harris having a good feed at the Tickets all sorted for the big game the Pullman Hotel a few days before Pullman Hotel Brisbane. ANZAC test Brisbane this Friday. the ANZAC test. Photos courtesy of Kiwis Signing in Brisbane www.photosport.co.nz Fan taking a photo with the boys. Captain Simon Mannering signing autographs for fans. Kodi Nikorima (l), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Interviewing Shaun Johnson for the NRL Footy show Peta Hiku (r). on Thursday on SKY TV. Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 4 Humble Kiwis T never fails to amaze me what kindness the kiwi side show to the public. IOn Tuesday when they were doing their signing session for our spon- sor BLK in Queens Street Mall BRISBANE Dallin Watene-Zelezniak saw a young disabled fan and got out of his seat alongside all the kiwis went over Dallin to this young man and brought him a kiwi Jersey and then went on to get all Watene-Zelezniak his Kiwi colleagues to sign it for him. Dallin is young man who has shown me how humble these guys are. Behind the scenes team Nadine Conlon - National Ops Manager Kiwis Man- Grant chapman (me- ager NZRL. dia manager), Laurier hale (logistics manager), Joe Harawira - NRL / Simon Mathew (doctor), NZRL Wellbeing Manag- Karl McDonald (physio), er. Joe served in the NZ Brent gemmell (Nzrl high army for 7yrs and went performance Gm). on operational tours of Bosnia and East Timor. Therefore Anzac is very special to him. ANZAC Test Luncheon T the ANZAC Test LUNCHEON we listened to a ex Australian Special Forces Commando Damien AThomlinson who served his country in Afghanistan. HE told us about his experience on the front line and how his vehicle ran over an explosive in the line of duty, the result left him critically hospitalised and to be fair it was very emotional and moving for us all. Everyone in the room was effected by his story. A couple of words come to mind and they are STRENGTH and COURAGE and a fitting commemoration speech. Damien embodies the ANZAC Spirit! A special mention to the NRL for honouring our ANZAC Servicemen and women, and in particular to Danielle Heptonstall for putting together a fantastic tribute. We salute our armed forces. Lest we forget. Caught up with Greg Inglis at John Bishop, Philip Holden Steven Kearney looking very The king Wally Lewis and the LUNCHEON. Top bloke. Damien Tomlinson, Sherron sharp as we head off to the Dave Smith the CEO of the Fissenden, Brent Gemmell LUNCHEON. NRL AT THE LUNCHEON. and Wally Lewis. Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 5 Photos courtesy of Photos from the ANZAC Test Luncheon www.photosport.co.nz Kiwis players at their table. Kiwis anxiously searching for their lunch. Charles Savory medal. Presented to the fairest player on the day. John Bishop-Director of NZRL, Phil Australian captain Cameron Smith, Simon Mannering (l) and Camer- Holden-CEO NZRL, Damian Tom- Australian coach Tim Sheens, New on Smith (r) assist Veteran Chris linson, Sherron Fessenden, Brent Zealand coach Steve Kearney and McHugh light the flame Gemmell, and Wally Lewis New Zealand Captain Simon Man- nering Live in Christchurch and want to watch the test? Then head to the Cashmere Club! Info: Click here Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 6 A Fancy Dinner E had a lovely team dinner last night at a restaurant called Gambaro. Gambaro is opposite the famous WJHotel the Claxton, a Brisbane Rugby League icon, just up the road from Suncorp stadium. Living the dream. My mate Dexter even has his own The Kiwis enjoying a meal at the famous Claxton card with the kiwis.
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