Throughout their history the One New Zealand Warriors have always celebrated and honoured their former players from season to season but this year’s occasion went up to a new level.
In the past it has revolved around a game day occasion, with players of yesteryear gathering for Old Boys Round to be introduced to the crowd and to reconnect with their former teammates – many of whom they haven’t seen for years – in a social setting.
This time the club was driven to make it much more than that by turning it into a two-day reunion, kicking off with a new concept – the Legends Lunch – held on the eve of the Warriors’ final regular season match against Parramatta.
A group of old boys first watched the Warriors’ captain’s in the morning and then adjourned to what was a truly special scene in the Bayleys Club Lounge in the East Stand.
With PlaceMakers NZ on board as the valued sponsor, the place was pumping with a crowd of 450, old boys galore getting reacquainted while also mixing and mingling in a corporate setting.
Special experience acknowledging club's former players
Decked out in eye-catching Dynasty-designed Letterman-styled jackets, the old boys were the VIPs with at least one of them sitting at each table for a lunch highlighted by three entertaining sit down chats.
In the first of them foundation captain and Warrior #1 Dean Bell was joined by fellow first-year teammates Tea Ropati (#15) and Frano Botica (#27) to share some stories.
Grouped together for the second session were popular Australian signings John Simon (#69), Mark Tookey (#76) and Kevin Campion (#86), Campion bringing the house down when he shared stories about notorious pest Nat Wood (#91).
And rounding it out was a comedic trio of 2002 grand finalists Jerry Seuseu (#50) and Clinton Toopi (#66) plus Sione Faumuina (#98). They had everyone in stitches, Seuseu the conductor with his wonderful wit and timing.
“This is what footy’s about. A couple of old war stories,” said Warrior #204 Blake Ayshford.
“I’m talking to Frank Endacott who I only got to see as a coach when I was a kid and I’m hearing all these little stories about back in the day. For me being a league nerd that’s massive. Bumping into Juju (Simon Mannering), big Bull (Jacob Lillyman) and all, it’s a special time.”
The inimitable Toopi gave the day his distinctive touch, sporting a mohawk haircut in a throwback to one of the various hairstyles he made a habit of wearing in his playing days. At least he’s fortunate enough to still have his hair.
“What the Warriors have been able to create (with this), wearing a mad jacket like this, seeing all the boys and their grey hair and bald heads,” he enthused.
“It’s great and we get to meet all the people that have made it a memorable moment supporting us over the years. It’s been great to come back in amongst it all.”
Another among those gathered was Warrior #160 Bill Tupou, who played in the Warriors’ second grand final in 2011. After 62 appearances, he continued his career with a brief stint at Canberra before spending eight seasons with the Wakefield Wildcats in the Super League.
Away from the club for so long he was stunned to see how much had changed.
“It’s been good seeing old faces and just being here in the stadium brings back lots of memories,” he said.
“It’s good seeing how much it has grown, seeing behind the scenes, games being sold out. It’s so cool seeing where the club is at right now.”
After a big day and night (for some), the players of yesteryear were back on game day, many backing up after being at the Legends Lunch while some others made it for the second day only.
They gathered in the Stacey Jones Lounge high up in the West Stand for another round of reminiscing while a large group also went down on the field to form a guard of honour for James Fisher-Harris and his players as they headed out for their warm-up.
Later they moved to the gym en masse to welcome the team back from the field after a tough loss, many of them then mixing with and meeting the players.
Among them was Warrior #84 Jonathan Smith (2000-2001), impressed with the experience in what he said was his first visit back to the club in just on 25 years.
This reunion could scarcely have been more successful bringing together a who’s who of former Warriors.
There was a strong turnout of 1995 foundation players including Dean Bell (#1), Whetu Taewa (#5), Gavin Hill (#8), Duane Mann (#9), Tony Tatupu (#12), Tony Tuimavave (#13), Tea Ropati (#15), Joe Vagana (#18), Syd Eru (#19), Willie Poching (#20), Stacey Jones (#24), Mike Dorreen (#25), Richie Blackmore (#26) and Frano Botica (#27).
Also registered from ensuing seasons were Marc Ellis (29), Mark Horo (30), Nigel Vagana (#32), Awen Guttenbeil (#33), Doc Murray (34), Iva Ropati (#35), Anthony Swann (#36), Bryan Henare (#38), Grant Young (#41), Logan Swann (#42), Shane Endacott (#44), Aaron Whittaker (#48), Jerry Seuseu (#50), Tyran Smith (#53), Ali Lauitiiti (#55), Joe Galuvao (#56), Monty Betham (#61), Cliff Beverly (#62), Wairangi Koopu (#64), Clinton Toopi (#66), Robert Mears (#68), John Simon (#69), Boycie Nelson (#70), Talite Liavaa (#71), Mark Tookey (#76), Paul Whatuira (#78), Shontayne Hape (#80), Henry Fa’afili (#81), Johnathan Smith (#84), Henry Perenara (#85), Kevin Campion (#86), Richard Villasanti (#87), Motu Tony (#90), Brent Webb (#97), Sione Faumuina (#98), Jeremiah Pai (#101), Evarn Tuimavave (#102), Epalahame Lauaki (#110), Louis Anderson (#112), Manu Vatuvei (#115), Herewini Rangi (#117), Ruben Wiki (#123), Simon Mannering (#125), Sam Rapira (#131), Corey Lawrie (#135), Russell Packer (#141), Jacob Lillyman (#146), Leeson Ah Mau (#147), Lewis Brown (#151), Kevin Locke (#152), Bill Tupou (#160), Glen Fisiiahi (#163), Shaun Johnson (#168), Ben Henry (#173), Sebastine Ikahihifo (#176), Albert Vete (#197), Blake Ayshford (#204), James Gavet (#208), Anthony Gelling (#227).
Already there has been talk about what next year will bring.
