Sir Peter Leitch’s Mad Butcher Club AT MT SMART STADIUM, HOME OF THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS 24 February 2015 Newsletter #61 To subscribe or unsubscribe email: [email protected] Photos courtesy of www.photosport.co.nz This Newsletter is Dedicated to the Vodafone Warriors ONLY 11 DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE FIRST GAME HE Vodafone Warriors came out of in their final It took time for the top side to settle before Manu Tpreseason hit-out 42-14 winners over the club’s Vatuvei was released on the left edge, while soon after New South Wales Cup team, but there were so many Hurrell stormed over. changes between the teams it hardly mattered. The second period saw the NRL side run in five tries What did matter was the number of positives out of through Sam Tomkins, Nathan Friend, Solomone the game, played in front of a decent crowd at Papa- Kata, Hurrell and Mannering. kura. With the score at 38-4coach Andrew McFadden Simon Mannering, Konrad Hurrell and Jacob Lil- requested goal-line dropouts so the NRL side could lyman all came through their first outings, Hurrell do some extra defending, and they conceded two getting two tries, Mannering one and Lillyman clock- tries before finishing off with a little Shaun Johnson ing up much-needed time in the middle in his return magic. from a knee operation. The other feature was the constant stream of penal- The NRL combination ran away with it but it didn’t ties. NRL referees Adam Devcich and Gavin Reyn- shape that way early on when the NSW Cup line-up olds giving the players another taste of the new laws. opened the scoring, new centre Jonathan Wright racing on to a grubber. This Time it Really is Our Year So with all the new blood I am A nation of Warriors, focusing on looking forward to the 2015 NRL the Vodafone Warriors as New I am nothing if not consistent, campaign with zest in my step. Zealand’s team, is followed by because I have been saying for 20 Home, which is all about inspiring years, this is our year. I hope you enjoy this edition of fans to watch the Warriors live. the newsletter, which focuses on But this year, there is a big differ- the Vodafone Warriors as they The campaign runs across multi- ence. gear up for the start of the year. ple channels – TV, print, radio and social media – and also features a We celebrate 20 years in the NRL, So with all the new blood I am call to action promoting the club’s and more importantly than that, looking forward to the 2015 NRL new ticket offer – the 3-Game there is a range of new blood at campaign with zest in my step. Flexi Pass – giving fans the chance the club, and with that influx of to see any three games for just $60. new players and management I hope you enjoy this edition of comes new thinking, fresh ideas the newsletter, which focuses on “In our 20th anniversary season and an enthusiasm I believe will the Vodafone Warriors as they we wanted the campaign to not take us a long way in this our an- gear up for the start of the year. only feature our players but to niversary year. be about the Vodafone Warriors Our stable of top writers has con- being a team for the whole coun- Don’t get me wrong, I thought tributed articles on the club, and try,” Vodafone Warriors managing Wayne Scurrah copped more crit- look out for your chance to win director Jim Doyle said. icism than was actually fair, and I great prizes too. have enormous respect for him. In “All the fans appearing are com- my humble opinion he did a fine Don’t forget, everyone who con- mitted members. They represent job, but the time was right for a tributes to this newsletter does it what being a Vodafone Warriors change and he has been replaced for love of the game, and because, supporter is all about, bringing out by Jim Doyle. like you, they want to see the how rewarding it is to be a mem- Vodafone Warriors do well. So if ber and how vital it is for their Jim is another man I have a lot of you don’t agree with something club to have a strong and loyal time for. He is a hard-working, they have to say, it’s not because member base.” straight-shooting, down-to-earth they are idiots, it’s just because sort of bloke, yet is as sharp as a their opinions might be different Watch out for Nation of Warriors tack and a first-class businessman to yours. on SKY before being It’s better at to boot. But he also bleeds rugby our home in the countdown to league and his stint at the NZRL But we all share that love for the our first home game of the season taught me he was a fine operator. Vodafone warriors, so read on and against Parramatta on March 21. enjoy. On top of his appointment, I View the ad here: believe the club has bought really Fans Star in Ads well, and I expect Ryan Hoffman http://bit.ly/17spbCW to do some very good things. Members, Mt Smart Stadium and There is a criticism that goes me have star billing alongside the around when top Aussies come players in the Vodafone Warriors’ over to the club, and it goes that 2015 advertising campaign - It’s they are just after a pay-day. better at our home. I do not believe that for one Our campaign launched with the second with Ryan, and the way brand spot Nation of Warriors they tell me he has been around on SKY TV on Sunday, and also the club, in training, and at the making guest appearances in the trials, gives me a lot of confidence first ad were Kiwi music artists Sid that he is about to become a huge Diamond and Ladi6. favourite with the fans. Mad Butcher Club Newsletter Page 2 Live on the Big Screen at SkyCity On March 7 members will have free access to watch the Vodafone Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights on SkyCity theatre’s big screen. Make sure Jerome at school with you’re there to cheer them on. the Kids. With the much anticipated start of the season what better way to kick off proceedings than the atmos- phere of a full theatre of passionate members? Dot Makes my Day The event, which kicks off at 6pm is set to be a popu- Sometimes someone just makes you day with their lar one so make sure you register early. kindness. Such a soul is Dot Eaton from down in Christchurch, a city dear to my heart. Jerome Ideal for his Role We exchanged a few emails, and she said many kind Most of you will know that Jerome Ropati has long things to me, but she also told me about how trim been a young man for whom I have tremendous and fit the boys are looking and how she cops a fair respect, so when the long-serving former Vodafone bit of grief every year for being such a diehard Voda- Warriors centre was announced as the first New Zea- fone Warriors fan. You hang in there girl! Be Proud! lander to be appointed an NRL Community Ambas- sador I was over the moon for him. Dot sent me this picture with her and Manu Vatu- vei, taken last year, and tells me it was a dream come After a playing career lasting 12 seasons, and we all true. know how many of those were dogged by terrible injuries, he has joined the ranks of fellow league Now I like Dot’s optimism and positivity. She told legends like Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan and me: “Roll on March when the Mighty Warriors top Alan Tongue in the NRL Community team. the leader board and stay there. I’m so excited that it’s nearly time.” Jerome’s first task was visiting schools in Rotorua, and I am told he loved it. “I’m honoured to represent She loves the newsletter, which is always great to my country as the first-ever New Zealander to join hear. “Thanks for your email, they are awesome and I the NRL Community team,” he said. don’t know how you find the time. Do you know how “Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky enough to special I felt that you replied see the positive impact league can have on communi- personally? I told so many ty issues, so I’m excited to get stuck in.” people, and that you take the time to reply is amazing, and Just think about it for a second. Over the Communi- that’s why us Warriors fans ty Carnival (Feb2-27), NRL players reach a quarter of are so lucky to have you.” a million kids, mostly giving them a message about everything from nutrition and healthy eating, to reg- Crikey. I was very touched ular exercise and mental health. by that. Woodstock and the Vodafone Warriors has a ring “We’ll be there every step of the way to help the to it that is about to become more familiar to fans of Vodafone Warriors kick off their 20th anniversary the club with the announcement that Woodstock is a celebrations. It’s a great time to start our partnership,” major sponsor for the next 3 years.