Departed fan favourite Jazz Tevaga is now focused on an early return home as the enemy – and in an alternative role – when his new club Manly Warringah faces his old one in the One New Zealand Warriors’ first home game of the season at Go Media Stadium on Friday week (March 14).
Across nine seasons and 138 appearances as a Warrior, the 29-year-old Tevaga enjoyed cult status among the faithful but he’s unlikely to find the fans quite so cordial in his first outing on his long-time home ground since finishing with the club last year.
And it’s fair to say he won’t feel any love from his ex-teammates on the field either (especially one-time 'bald brother' Dylan Walker) – and nor will they from him.
His chance to play on Go Media Stadium so soon after leaving makes for an intriguing sub plot to the main event of the night as the Warriors reacquaint themselves with home to truly kick off their 30th anniversary season.
Tevaga came through his Manly debut on Saturday night as the Sea Eagles ran away to a 42-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys.
Match: Warriors v Sea Eagles
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Now he's set to again fill his less-preferred position as Manly’s starting hooker against the Warriors.
With Manly’s first-choice #9 Lachlan Croker side-lined for the first month of the season with a knee complaint, Tevaga had the #9 jersey on in his Manly debut even though he missed both of the club's Preseason Challenge trials.
Tevaga was out of contention for the Sea Eagles’ first trial when he was with the Māori All Stars for their 10-6 win over the Indigenous All Stars on February 15.
He was initially selected for Manly’s second trial against Penrith but was omitted on game day.
He had a background at hooker when he was first signed by the Warriors but evolved into a loose forward, usually injected off the interchange. He was used at hooker only occasionally or filled in there in-game when required.
As well as a quick 'reunion' for Tevaga with his old club it will be the same the other way for ex-Sea Eagles Walker and Luke Metcalf and perhaps recent signing and former Manly centre Morgan Harper).
Also in line for a trip home are former Warriors Toafofoa Sipley and new signing Siosiua Taukeiaho while two other Auckland-born players are also in Manly's round one squad in forwards Taniela Paseka and Josh Aloiai.
