‘The Voice’ meets rugby league when American-Tongan rock singer Jordis Unga makes a guest appearance at halftime during the Vodafone Warriors’ second-round NRL clash against Melbourne at Mount Smart Stadium tomorrow night (match day sponsor: Woodstock).
The 34-year-old from Forest Lake, Minnesota has been on holiday in New Zealand meeting relatives.
She earned global attention with her performances on the CBS television reality show ‘Rock Star: INXS’ in 2005, finishing fifth overall.
Unga was also a contestant on ‘The Voice’ in 2012 when she reached the quarter-finals.
She posted a photo on her Instagram account wearing a Vodafone Warriors jacket with the comment: “Gonna have to channel Prince for what might be a rainy halftime performance tomorrow. We can't WAIT!!! Already sporting my gear. See you tomorrow @nzwarriors!!”
It’s a huge night for the Vodafone Warriors, not just because it’s a blockbuster encounter with fierce rival Melbourne but also because it’s their first Friday night home game since beating Canterbury-Bankstown 36-12 in a 2011 campaign which took the club all the way to the grand final.
Two matches are on the programme with the Vodafone Junior Warriors meeting the Storm in the NYC fixture (5.45pm kick-off) followed by the main game starting at 8.00pm. It will be the 29th Friday night home game in the club’s history but only the ninth since 2002.
Apart from the two games and Unga’s performance there will be a range of other activities and features on the schedule.
Vodafone Warriors members have the opportunity to meet pre-game and post-game in the Members’ Clubrooms situated behind the dead-ball line in the Harvey Norman Community Fun Zone at the northern end of the ground.
Also on the schedule immediately after the NYC game will be the Ray White Coin toss when Vodafone Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joins his opposite Cameron Smith in the middle of the field. Tossing the coin will be Vodafone Warriors member Matt Balchin.
Other Vodafone Warriors members who won game day benefits are:
- Captains’ Club upgrade: Peter and Shelley Broome
- Guard of honour: Keith Taulahi and Tony Montier
- Post-match gym experience: Aidan Carroll
The ACC Biggest Warm-Up plus mini and mod games will again be a feature as will the Canterbury of New Zealand T-shirt Cannon.
ROUND #2 GAME DAY
Match: Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne Storm
Date: Friday, March 10, 2017
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Game Day Hashtag: #NRLWarriorsStorm
KEY TIMINGS
Gates Open: 5.30pm.
NYC Kick-off: 5.45pm | Vodafone Junior Warriors v Melbourne
NRL Kick-off: 8.00pm | Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne
DETAILS
FREE TRAINS: Vodafone Warriors fans are being encouraged to take advantage of Auckland’s rail network to get to Mount Smart Stadium for Friday night’s clash with the Melbourne Storm. Train travel to and from Mount Smart Stadium for Friday night games this year on Auckland’s rail service is free for members and fans. The free travel period officially starts three hours before the 8pm kick off of the first-grade game and ends at the completion of the rail service. MORE INFORMATION
RAY WHITE COIN TOSS: The Ray White Coin Toss will take place straight after the end of the ISP curtain-raiser (about 7.15pm). Vodafone Warriors member Matt Balchin tosses the coin with Vodafone Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his Melbourne Cameron Smith. Matt has a photo taken with the captains.
HARVEY NORMAN COMMUNITY FUN ZONE: Get your photo taken in the Harvey Norman Community Fun Zone with Vodafone Warriors players. There will also be face painting.
ACC BIGGEST WARM-UP: Mini and mod teams will be taken through their paces in the ACC Biggest Warm-Up before playing their games.
T-SHIRT CANNON: Players’ warm-up T shirts and Canterbury of New Zealand T shirts will be shot into the crowd from the Canterbury T-Shirt cannon. If you catch one of the warm-up T shirts head down to the Members' Clubrooms after the game for your opportunity to meet the team.
WIN THE SUZUKI ROAD WARRIOR: Win the ultimate Vodafone Warriors supporter’s car thanks to our great mates at Suzuki. Take it from us, a Suzuki Vitara Turbo is an astonishingly great vehicle in its own right and a worthy prize for any deserving diehard. But this year we want one of our fans to win something even more special. MORE INFORMATION
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Watch out at halftime for this fun quiz. Four contestants are involved with prizes thanks to Woodstock Premium Kentucky Bourbon & Cola.
BUY TICKETS NOW | VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE, MOUNT SMART STADIUM, FRIDAY, MARCH 10
