Well, the boys have a big game coming up this Saturday night at 5pm when we take on the Canberra Raiders at home. Ricky’s mob have won their first two games by beating the West Tigers by 30 points to 12 in round one, and just getting the win over the sharks 12/10 last weekend. They will be out to redeem themselves in front of their home fans on Saturday and our beloved Warriors will be very disappointed with their own result over the weekend, even though we had the majority of possession we just couldn’t get over the white line. I think we completed about 40 sets, so we are at consistent and better in control than we have been. Life goes on at Smart Stadium the office is open the shop is open and has someSTOP great bargains available.THE PRESS!! If you find yourself at the stadium you might see Stacey Jones and Tony Iro who are running the pathway and development programs at the Vodafone Warriors. There are currently around 60 boys involved and they train at Mount Smart Stadium every Monday and Thursday evenings. The young men are aged between 15 and 18 and will be hoping to be involved in the junior representative program against the best Australian age group teams in 2022.In addition to the local coaches, trainers, and physios being involved, the squad is also getting coaching help from former Warrior Adam Blair who is teaching the players the finer art of the defence and wrestling techniques . HOLD ALL PRINTERS So there’s still activity at the club, I’ve been out a few times and I can tell you the guys are doing a good job with these young fellas especially when you consider the experience Tony Iro, Stacey Jones, and Adam Blair have all had in rugby league - they are all in very good care. How nice was it to read about the wonderful actions of Addin Fonua- Blake and Ben Murdoch Masila helping out a lady in distress during the recent torrential downpours in Australia. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the BIG read, and remember to support our mighty Vodafone Warriors this Saturday night as they take it to the Canberra Raiders! Go the Vodafone Warriors! Sir Peter Charles Leitch KNZM QSM We wrote the newsletter ready to go on Friday before the match v’s Canberra, but unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control it wasn’t able to be sent out. Well - that turned out to be a stroke of luck! Who could wait 2 more weeks to write about the fantastic never say die effort from our mighty Vodafone Warriors as they produced the greatest come from behind win in the clubs history! If you didn’t see it - I urge you to try and watch a replay or recording. It wasn’t a pretty first half with our defence still trying to sort out the new combinations which allowed the Raiders score almost at will. I have to be honest I never gave us much show winning with the injuries and suspension we had, and with the Raiders coming off two wins and at home in front of their fantastic crowd. Not only was the game one of the most exciting games I’ve watched in along time with the score up and down, but at one stage the Raiders were ahead 31 to 10. I don’t know what Brownie (Head Coach Nathan Brown) said to the boys at half-time or whatever me old mate Laurie Hale (Manager) put in to their water, but gee the lads came out firing in the 2nd half. There was a controversial call from referee Henry Perenara in relation to a forward pass - but in his defence, he was right there in line with the pass and saw it differently to the television commentators - either way, it goes somewhat of the way to making up for the odd occasion over the years we had calls go against us. This game had everything, action, excitement, controversy and never say die. When the Warriors scored at the 77 minute mark to put them ahead 32-31 and Kodi Nikorima slotted the goal with 79 minutes on the clock. The Raiders went for a short kick and managed to regather the ball, with slick hands and 10 seconds left Jordan Rapana dived for the corner flag only to have the ball knocked from his hands by Captain Fantastic Roger Tuivasa- Sheck. One of the best try saving efforts you will ever see. I’m sure our loyal fans that fronted up at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday night would’ve had a ball celebrating in the corporate lounge and I can tell you my phone went crazy text messages phone calls emails and social media and that hasn’t happened in a long time To be honest on Saturday night I was that excited I couldn’t get to sleep till the wee hours so it’s fair to say I am one very happy Butcher this week. Bring on the roosters this Saturday 5:30 pm NZ time. The roosters will be fired up after losing to South Sydney over the weekend 26/16 But our guys will be pumped up after that magnificent win and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Match report and photo’s Pages 20 & 21 Go the MIGHTY Vodafone Warriors! Sir Peter Charles Leitch KNZM QSM WARRIORS START 2021 WITH A WIN by a Fan in the Stand The NRL is back for 2021 and our Warriors started the season with a good old fashioned grind against the Gold Coast Titans. Played in what has been described as sweltering conditions both sides appeared to labour under the heat and humidity. I liked what I saw from our forward pack - they played a power game up front taking on the Titans marquee men in David Fifita and Tino Faasuamaleaui. A lot of noise was made when both signed with the Titans and big things are expected of them this season from the Titans club and their fans. But the Warriors have also done well in signing Ben Murdoch-Masila from the UK Super League where he was fearsome with his hard running and stout defence. Despite having limited game time during this first hit out, he showed touches of promise bending the opposition back with his trademark charges. Addin Fonua-Blake another astute signing, also showed why he is much vaunted and now much missed by the Manly Sea Eagles. Only 25 years old he should be the cornerstone of the Warriors pack for some time to come. Euan Aitken often goes unnoticed and under the radar for his efforts. But this game showed even with limited touches he still managed to rack up 132 metres and 16 tackles with no misses. A late ankle injury may have him sidelined for a few weeks though. Throw Bayley Sironen in to this mix and we have the makings of experience and class, Sironen scored the first try of the season with a hit and spin close to the line and was not to be denied. Given the conditions at hand, the Warriors looked to play a power game up the middle with limited opportunities for the likes of David Fusitua and Ken Maumalo to shine and do what they do best especially on the kick returns. A barge over try Leeson Ah Mau was followed up by a try to Kodi Nikorima who collected a smart offload from Bunty Afoa who came on and ran hard and straight each time he got the ball, reminding me of old mates Iafeta Paleaaesina and Hitro Okesene. Chanel Harris-Tevita was great on defence whacking Kevin Proctor, but his 5th tackle kicking options need work alongside his game management. Its only game one and I’m sure he will get better as the season rolls on. All in all.. a good day at the office and pass mark for the first outing: STARTING 2021 WITH A WIN… Photographs courtesy of the Vodafone Warriors RUGBY LEAGUE 2021 MAGAZINE The latest issue of the NRL / Warriors magazine is now available to read online by clicking the following link www.oliverlee.co.nz/rugbyleague2021 The latest issue of the NRL / Warriors magazine is now available to read online by clicking the following link www.oliverlee.co.nz/rugbyleague2021 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? with… CARL HALL What does the Otara Scorpions, Glenora Bears, Mount Albert Lions, Auckland, Canterbury, Junior Kiwis, New Zealand XIII, Newcastle Knights, Doncaster, Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, York Knights, Moseley, State Francis (Rugby Union), Fiji Bati (Pacific Cup), and Samoa all have in common? Carl Hall has played for them all. Somewhat of a Rugby League gypsy, Carl Hall a Kiwi kid who loved to run like the wind and has seen it all. A colourful and larger than life character, Carl was born with Rugby League in his veins. His father Len Hall played for Ellerslie and Auckland during the 1970’s before moving to Australia. During his formative years Carl played for the Mount Albert Lions where it was obvious he was always destined for higher honours. A regular selection in age grade Auckland teams was followed by selection in the national sides both Junior Kiwis and New Zealand Residents. A stint in Christchurch saw him represent Canterbury Bulls in 1987 - coached by Frank Endacott - the team that famously beat Auckland. A short stint with Newcastle Knights followed before heading to England on a Junior Kiwis Tour, it was here that his old mate Tony Kemp convinced him to sign with Doncaster.