Players and staff have joined head coach Luisa Avaiki and centre Honey Hireme in mourning ahead of the Warriors’ third-round NRLW match against the Brisbane Broncos in Sydney tomorrow.
Avaiki’s father Motu passed away in Auckland on Tuesday while Hireme lost her mother Caryn less than 24 hours later in Putaruru on Wednesday.
Kiwi Ferns captain Hireme, who is yet to play for the Warriors, had been at her mother’s side constantly over the last few weeks, initially in hospital in Hamilton and more recently in her hometown Putaruru. Caryn has been lying in state at Ruapeka Marae in Tapapa and will be farewelled in Putaruru tomorrow morning.
Avaiki had been helping to support her father while continuing to coach the Warriors. Motu’s funeral will be held in New Lynn on Wednesday.
Avaiki won’t be with the Warriors in Sydney tomorrow. She ran the final field session at Mount Smart Stadium this morning before the squad flew out; assistant coach Justin Morgan will prepare the side to face the Broncos tomorrow.
The Vodafone Warriors send their deepest sympathies to both Luisa and Honey along with their families and close friends.
