More than 40 former Vodafone Warriors players, including seven club captains, are expected to descend on Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday as the club prepares to celebrate its 25th season in the NRL.
Saturday’s clash with the Bulldogs will see the Vodafone Warriors mark a return to their original colours.
The match is also being billed as the club’s annual Old Boys’ Day and a huge contingent of former players are expected to participate in the festivities.
Former club captains John Simon, Kevin Campion, Steve Price and Simon Mannering are flying over from Australia for the game and will join their fellow old boys on the field before kick-off where they will be introduced to the crowd. Monty Betham, Stacey Jones (assistant coach) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are the other captains who will be present on Saturday.
Other old boys who have confirmed their attendance include club legends Manu Vatuvei, Awen Guttenbeil, Logan Swann, Francis Meli, Brent Webb and Wade McKinnon.
Former coach Frank Endacott is also flying up from Christchurch for the occasion.
The former players and Endacott will be introduced to the crowd at 4:39pm before embarking on a lap of honour around the venue many of them starred at in yesteryear. They will then form a guard of honour for Tuivasa-Sheck and his team as they take the field to square off against the Bulldogs.
“We are incredibly proud of our history and former players,” Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
“To have so many former players back at Mt Smart Stadium for what promises to be a huge day for the club is fantastic.”
The old boys have also been invited by coach Stephen Kearney to watch Friday’s captains’ run and then join this year’s squad for lunch.
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s season-opener but a number of bays are already sold out with many others filling up fast.
To secure your tickets, click here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/vodafone-warriors-v-canterbury-bulldogs-auckland-16-03-2019/event/24005630A5BF307E
CONFIRMED OLD BOYS:
Warrior Number 5 – Whetu Taewa
Warrior Number 11 – Stephen Kearney
Warrior Number 12 – Tony Tatupu
Warrior Number 15 – Tea Ropati
Warrior Number 18 – Joe Vagana
Warrior Number 21 – Logan Edwards
Warrior Number 24 – Stacey Jones
Warrior Number 25 – Mike Doreen
Warrior Number 26 – Richie Blackmore
Warrior Number 30 – Mark Horo
Warrior Number 32 – Nigel Vagana
Warrior Number 33 – Awen Guttenbeil
Warrior Number 35 – Iva Ropati
Warrior Number 38 – Bryan Henare
Warrior Number 42 – Logan Swann
Warrior Number 48 – Aaron Whittaker
Warrior Number 50 – Jerry Seuseu
Warrior Number 53 – Tyran Smith
Warrior Number 55 – Ali Lauiti’iti
Warrior Number 61 – Monty Betham
Warrior Number 62 – Cliff Beverley
Warrior Number 65 – Francis Meli
Warrior Number 69 – John Simon
Warrior Number 78 – Paul Whatuira
Warrior Number 80 – Shontayne Hape
Warrior Number 81 – Henry Fa’afili
Warrior Number 86 – Kevin Campion
Warrior Number 88 – Justin Morgan
Warrior Number 90 – Motu Tony
Warrior Number 94 – Anthony Seuseu
Warrior Number 97 – Brent Webb
Warrior Number 98 – Sione Faumuina
Warrior Number 108 – Jerome Ropati
Warrior Number 110 – Epalahame Lauaki
Warrior Number 115 – Manu Vatuvei
Warrior Number 117 – Herewini Rangi
Warrior Number 121 – Steve Price
Warrior Number 123 – Ruben Wiki
Warrior Number 125 – Simon Mannering
Warrior Number 132 – Wade McKinnon
Warrior Number 151 – Lewis Brown
Warrior Number 171 – Ben Henry
Former Coach – Frank Endacott
