08 MAY 2014 #20 Photos Supplied by Libby Gudmundsson
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08 MAY 2014 #20 Photos supplied by Libby Gudmundsson ell, what a weekend. I shot off to Eden Park on Friday night to see the Blues, and they went berserk, thrashing the Reds. As a guest of the Blues, I was invited along to their box and who should be there but the Prime Minister, John Key. So, Wpretty fl ash company. Then I was invited along to the dressing Room at the Ellerslie Events Centre, the The $100 ticket price includes a three- Harrison and Sisima Inglis went to room to catch up with a lot of old friends Mad Butcher Suburban Newspapers course meal, a souvenir plate, a Vodafone work at the weekend in their own time to – and yes, I do have some good friends in Community Trust League for Life lunch Warriors Proud membership and entry do work on stuff for the lunch. the Blues –and especially in the coaching is going to be a cracker, with league legend into draws for signed Warriors and Kiwis I get the accolades, but in life it is never staff. Ricky Stuart the guest speaker. jerseys. about how good you are, it is about how Of course I had to get myself home in time He is one of the most famous names in the Anyone who gets together a table of 10 good the people around you are. And I to see the Kiwis v Australia, a game we game, and never pulls his punches. also gets two tickets to the Raiders v have some mates who just do anything, were supposed to lose by 100. The Canberra Raiders coach has also Warriors the next day at Eden Park. anytime, for me. That is an honour. Wrong! I thought we did okay, although a been in charge of New South Wales and If you know any former Kiwis internationals, There’s people like the two Davids – loss is still a loss, even if there was plenty Australia, the Roosters, Sharks and tell them to get in touch on 021 936 Jones and Kemeys – who are never too to admire about how we went. No one Eels. 105 and I’ll give them a ticket, and the busy to help, and put in I do not know how gave us the remotest hope, but we had He is a dual rugby and league international Vodafone Warriors will give them tickets many hours helping me. the classic outsider’s chance, so I was too, having played for the Wallabies and to the Raiders game, and my old mates at So I am really looking forward to Friday disappointed we gave up the late tries. We the Kangaroos. Lion will even give them a beer. and I hope the public support us. were in it but unable to hang in there that If there is one bloke who calls a spade a I have to thank a lot of people for this one. If you need to know more, visit www. little bit longer. spade it is him. Chris at Central Print and Vodafone sirpeterleitch.co.nz, and to book or It’s a big week this week too. There’s still time to secure tickets to an have been amazing, the Vodafone buy a table or a ticket contact Philippa My mates, Stacey Jones and Guy event that will see more than 60 former Warriors outstanding, and the people of Ivory at the NZRL on 571-3863 or 021 Cater shared a birthday on May 7, and Kiwis internationals and coaches, men the Ellerslie Events Centre as helpful 532-483. I’m catching up with a big group of friends like Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones, Roger as ever. Then of course it is Eden Park on Saturday for a beer or two on Thursday tonight. Bailey and Tawera Nikau, together to And a big thumbs up to two people who to see the Vodafone Warriors take on the And this Friday at noon at the Guineas mingle with fans. work for Fairfax Media too. Both Rex Raiders. Photos supplied by Libby Gudmundsson he Blues put away the Reds on It was supposed to be Quade Cooper’s injury. This dents the midfi eld stocks ahead Friday night – and what a match it night – a celebration of his 100th game for of a massive match this Friday – against the Twas. Possibly the most complete Queensland, but the Blues clearly hadn’t defending champions Chiefs. performance the boys have put together read the script as they gate crashed his It’s going to be a huge challenge for the this season – scoring fi ve tries to secure a party. The team did recognise Cooper Blues down in New Plymouth, but one the bonus point as well. after the match – presenting him with an team will go in to with confi dence after two Eden Park has been a sanctuary for the embroided Blues jersey to commemorate solid wins. Captain Luke Braid should be team as they remain unbeaten in fi ve games his achievement. back from injury for the match too. The team at home. Ma’a Nonu was simply immense. The win did come at a cost however, with will then earn a much deserved rest with a He ran hard, direct and set up the home Francis Saili injured at training during the bye before two more home matches. side’s fi rst three tries in a superb outing by week, his replacement Jackson Willison the All Blacks second-fi ve. went off in the fi rst half with a hamstring Some pictures from the Blues game The PM caught up with Three Knights in the Blues changing room. From the left: Sir John Kirwin, Sir Graham Henry, John Key, and Sir Peter. Tom was happy to catch up with the PM. Andrew Mehrtens just had to have a photo with It was great to catch up with SKY TV rugby My son in law, Bruce, was stoked to meet the the Butcher! commentator, Tony Johnson, at the Blues game. Prime Minister. http://www.theblues.co.nz/ A message from a young fan... I am Sam Morgan, the eldest of the three boys you met at the Blues game. The youngest one is Nathan Morgan and the middle one is Josef Morgan. Our dad, John Morgan, is the chairman of North Harbour and a director of the Blues. The picture of Sir Graham Henry is with Nathan. The picture of Kevin Mealamu is with me (Sam). And the one who is in neither of the pictures, as you have probably worked out, is Joe. WARRIORMOBILE Here’s a couple of photos along the beach at Waiheke on a very calm day. Lovely spot! The lucky winner of the signed Vodafone Warriors Jersey was Akkad Hati, and a very happy winner she was. Akkad also got a bright red Warriors Scarg, the perfect Jersey complement. In Bruges Margaret and Jill read Waiheke Margaret and Kay, still supporting the Mighty Island’s own Vodafone Warriors... even though we are in Bruges, paper, the Belgium. Waiheke Marketplace Margaret, Kay in a park in and Jill, Amsterdam. waiting to catch the train to Bruges. Gates Open: 12:30 NSW Cup | Vodafone Warriors v Mounties | Kick Off: 12.40PM NYC Kick | Vodafone Junior Warriors v Junior Raiders | Off: 2.40PM NRL | Vodafone Warriors v Raiders | Kick Off: 5.00PM Match Day Sponsor: Vodafone Enjoy all the activities and entertainment on and off the fi eld with the family fun zone, lots of Vodafone giveaways, and the chance to win best seats in the house, head to www.warriors.co.nz for more information! VODAFONE WARRIORS LINE-UP NRL ROUND #9 – HENRY AND HURRELL IN CENTRES 1 SAM TOMKINS Auckland, New Zealand, May 06, 2014 – Vodafone a fi ve-man bench including Kevin Locke, who is in 2 NGANI LAUMAPE Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden has teamed contention to make his 88th NRL appearance and his 3 KONRAD HURRELL up 22-year-olds Ben Henry and Konrad Hurrell as fi rst of the season. The others on the bench are Feleti 4 BEN HENRY the team’s starting centres for Saturday’s ninth-round Mateo, Suaia Matagi, the recalled Sione Lousi and 5 MANU VATUVEI NRL clash against the Canberra Raiders at Eden Park the returning Ben Matulino, who missed the last two 6 CHAD TOWNSEND (5.00pm kick-off). games through suspension. 7 SHAUN JOHNSON Henry had Ngani Laumape as his centres partner in “It’s a shame for David to miss out after doing really for us 8 SAM RAPIRA the 16-10 Anzac Day win over the Melbourne Storm against the Dragons and the Storm,” he said. 9 NATHAN FRIEND with Hurrell being introduced to the contest from the “But we’re able to shift Ngani out to the wing again start 10 JACOB LILLYMAN interchange bench. with Ben and Konrad in the centres.” 11 JAYSON BUKUYA A reshuffl e has been forced following the injury-enforced McFadden said it was also a signifi cant boost to have 12 SIMON MANNERING (c) absence of winger David Fusitu’a, who is battling a Matulino back in the front row mix with Sam Rapira, 13 SEBASTINE IKAHIHIFO shoulder injury he picked up against the Storm. Jacob Lillyman and Matagi. Interchange: With Thomas Leuluai still troubled by an ongoing groin While the Vodafone Warriors go into the contest on the 14 FELETI MATEO complaint, Chad Townsend will again partner Kiwi back of one of the most impressive victories in the club’s 15 SUAIA MATAGI international, Shaun Johnson in the halves.