Sir Peter Leitch’s Mad Butcher Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 30 January 2015 Newsletter #57 Bring on the Nines Warriors team for Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines his week it is going to be halfway. You also have access to an Tbigger than big in Auckland at air-conditioned lounge for food I could not have been more de- the Dick Smith NRL Nines. and beverages. They are $349. lighted when Kiwis skipper Simon Mannering won our top honour If you haven’t got tickets they are Keep up with all the action of the for 2014, taking out player of the still on sale. I will be disappointed Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines year. if we do not sell it out, be-cause with the official tournament app! so much has gone into it, and See up-to-the-minute Nines news, The Vodafone Warriors second because I was there last year and it see who’s in your squad, track the rower had a year to remember, awesome. current, past and upcoming games bringing up his 200th NRL game and more! Available now on for the club and his 100th as cap- Whack on to: www.ticketek.co.nz/ iTunes: http://bit.ly/1v1jVRY & tain. nrlakl9s Android: http://bit.ly/1Epovwg After taking out the Vodafone A limited number of $99 two-day Warriors Player of the Year for the passes are still available, but be Mannering Caps Landmark Year fourth time, he took his form into in quick. There are also a small the international season, where number of bronze tickets at $149 I had a blast at the New Zealand he led his side to the Four Nations for both days. Rugby League prize-giving in title, defeating Australia twice, the Auckland on Thursday night with first time in more than 60 years Premium seats are still available my mate and great Mad Butcher the Kiwis had achieved that. – the seats are awesome - right on Club supporter Dexter Trail. Mannering beat out Shaun John- In fact I can tell you that I take my than Thurston in town, with his son and Jesse Bromwich, and you hat off to perhaps one of the least indigenous children helping him would not have moaned if either recognisable names in that list salute the Indigenous Trophy, was of them had won, so it was quite above, that of the female volunteer a particular highlight. It brought an achievement. of the year, Maree Hawkins. Her home to me how uniting the great speech was one of the best I have game of league is. Johnson was man of the match ever heard at a league do and it in both wins over the Kanga- was a privilege to be there to hear Representing the Vodafone War- roos, while Bromwich compiled it. riors, and far more importantly, a breakout year that saw him his entire country, our own Shaun emerge as one of the world’s top Johnson did a magnificent job front rowers. What A Week For League with his speech, speaking with great pride about the Kiwis cam- International rookie of the year Almost 300 NRL players were in paign, before introducing Greg went to giant North Queensland Auckland today for the 2015 NRL Inglis, who was a complete rock forward Jason Taumalolo, who launch. star. was in great form for his club and finally made his debut for the NRL stars including Greg Ing- And at the end of the day, the big Kiwis. lis, our own Shaun Johnson and crowd was just totally buzzing Simon Mannering, Johnathan about the Dick Smith NRL Nines, Counties Manukau wing Atawhai Thurston, Cameron Smith and with many of the Aussies telling Tupaea took out women’s player of Josh Morris headlined the launch me how pleased they were, and the year, after leading all try-scor- at Shed 10. I think with perhaps just a bit of ers at last year’s national tourna- surprise, that Auckland had em- ment, and crossing in the Kiwi Off I went again with my mate braced the event. Ferns’ win over Australia. Dexter, this time last night to the launch of the NRL season. The tell me that there is huge in- The full list of winners was: Player terest across the ditch in the event, of the Year – Simon Mannering; It was the first time it had ever so get out and support it, and Rookie – Jason Taumalolo (Cow- been held outside of Australia, and show everyone how proud we are boys); Domestic Player of the Year to say it was fantastic would not be to host the event. – Ken Tofilau (Southern); Junior – doing it justice, far better to call it Sam Lisone (Vodafone Warriors); unbelievable. Check out the photos on page 13. 18s – Reuben Porter (Akarana); 16s - Rory Ferguson (Southern); I was lucky enough to talk to Women – Atawhai Tupaea (Coun- many of the Australian contin- Support Our Women’s Team ties Manukau); Match Official gent in town for it, and they were – Anthony Eliott; Male Volun- blown away by the event, saying it The Kiwi Ferns were training hard teer – Jasen McCarthy (Akarana); was one of the best launches they at Fowlds Park in Mt Albert on Female– Maree Hawkins (Upper had ever seen. Thursday ahead of their appear- Central); Grassroots Club of the ance against Australia’s Jillaroos Year – Hornby Panthers. From the rousing Maori welcome, at the Nines. That’s something I’m through the haka and to NRL boss really looking forward to, because And let me tell I reckon it is full Dave Smith arriving on to the women are just so vital to our marks to the NZRL for a wonder- stage dressed in a traditional Mao- game. ful night. It was kept very low key ri cloak, it made me very proud to and understated. There was none be a member of our unique little So don’t let me down, support the of this thousands of dollars a tick- country. Kiwi Ferns! et nonsense, and it was wonderful to see grassroots league acknowl- All of league’s big trophies were edged as being as important to the brought out, with our Simon NZRL as the Kiwis. Mannering holding the Four Nations, but for me seeing Johna- Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 2 • All 16 NRL Clubs together in Auckland • 288 star players (ie: George Burgess, Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans and Isaac Luke) • 34 action packed-games • NZ $2.6 million dollars / AUD $2.4 million in prize money • 90,000 fans over 2 x days • Family friendly • Well managed, safe, fun event • Dynamic atmosphere – colourful fans • Quality and faced-paced rugby league • Awesome on field entertainment • Won International award for ‘Best home grown major sporting event’ • 3 x Women’s Game series: Kiwi Ferns v Australian Jillaroos BOOK NOW! TICKETES ON SALE AT www.ticketek.co.nz Just To Recap Our Nines Team the launch of the Dick Smith NRL Thumbs Up for Bendon Auckland Nines. The members’ Vodafone Warriors head coach area will be open until 9pm with I tell you what, thumbs up to our Andrew McFadden initially exclusive access to the top NRL champion of undies, and proud named 22 to prepare for the tour- Nines players from all 16 teams sponsor of the mighty Vodafone nament. until 4pm. There will be compli- Warriors, Bendon. mentary food & non-alcoholic Among them was captain Simon beverages, a photo area to take As if I had not already had enor- Mannering but a decision not to home pictures of you at the event mous fun all week thanks to the run with him ahead of what will and covered seating areas to enjoy visit of the Queensland Rugby be another demanding NRL sea- a little relaxation. League, our own NZRL, and all son was made. the activity around the Dick Smith Nines captains including Shaun NRL Nines, I then got to go to the That means Shaun Johnson cap- Johnson, Benji Marshall, Daly Heidi Klum Bendon event. tains our side, which will include Cherry-Evans, Issac Luke and Nathaniel Roache, who is only 18 Mitchell Pearce will all be among It was a magnificent event, and and will be among the youngest the 288 players who will visit the although I will confess I do not players involved. Festival and Fanzone activities at know that much about supermod- Aotea Square. They tell me it is els, when you see Heidi you can Vodafone Warriors: Shaun John- the biggest fan engagement day in understand what all the fuss is son, Matthew Allwood, Nathan New Zealand ever. about. Friend, Ben Henry, Ryan Hoff- man, Solomone Kata, Ngani I thought Dexter was going to pass Laumape, Sam Lisone, Tuimo- Official Merchandise At Aotea out. ala Lolohea, Sione Lousi, Suaia Square Matagi, Ben Matulino, Ken Mau- They did us all proud, and coming malo, Nathaniel Roache, Bodene Official Vodafone Warriors mer- on the back of the NRL launch, Thompson, Sam Tomkins, Chad chandise is available at the Dick I went home satisfied that New Townsend and Manu Vatuvei. Smith NRL Auckland Nines Festi- Zealand had done all it could to val and Fanzone at Aotea Square. put on a great show. The official club stall is there all Don’t Forget To Join In day today, Saturday and Sunday, by the main stage. You’re invited to the members lounge at Aotea Square today for Keep up with all the action of the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines with the official tourna- ment app! See up-to-the-minute Nines news, see who’s in your squad, track the current, past and upcoming games and more! Available now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/1v1jVRY & Android: http://bit.ly/1Epovwg Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 4 Queensland To Host Test Footy Great to see test league will return to Queensland this year with Brisbane and the Gold Coast set to host games in May.