One New Zealand Warriors past and current players, staff and fans have joined the wider community in mourning the passing of comedian, television presenter and passionate Warriors fan Dai Henwood.
With a rare zest for life, the inimitable Henwood lost his gruelling six and half year battle with bowel cancer on Tuesday at the age of 48.
Tributes have flowed for a man who was diminutive in stature but gargantuan in personality with the special gift of being able to make people laugh – as well being able to laugh at himself.
His passion for the Warriors and rugby league knew no bounds; he had the deepest love for both his club and the game itself.
“We mourn the loss of a much-loved supporter, a wonderful entertainer and an inspiration to so many,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“Our thoughts are with Dai’s family, friends and everyone who shared his passion for life. Rest easy, Dai. Forever a Warrior.”
Forever a Warrior indeed, the essence of a 1995 day one fan.
Henwood’s fight with stage four bowel cancer was a public one captured in the documentary series ‘Live and Let Die.’
Riveting and confronting it lurched from one emotion to another, capturing an unmasked Henwood who, despite his dark destiny, still maintained his sense of humour and his love of life.
Through it all the One New Zealand Warriors provided solace.
In 2023 he said: "The Warriors have been so big in my cancer treatment and my cancer recovery and it’s because I love the Warriors and watching the Warriors so much that it takes me completely out of thinking about cancer treatment or having cancer.
"Cancer is one the few things that when you have it, you think about it 24/7, so if there’s anything that takes you out of that – and my two massive passions in life are stand-up comedy and watching rugby league – then that's when I don’t think about it.
"I am like a kid in a candy store [when watching], I just get so excited."
Henwood’s connection with the Warriors included game day roles, among them the ‘Rolling the Dai’ game he fronted at halftime in the club’s home matches and working the crowd in what was then the Captain’s Lounge.
During his cancer treatment Henwood continued to commentate Warriors games as long as he could as part of The Alternative Commentary Collective (ACC).
It was the perfect outlet for him to demonstrate his love affair with his team while leaving no doubt about what he thought of detractors and bandwagon fans.
“It’s about deep love of the game,” he said in one of his vents on the ACC’s Instagram account.
“I’d love you on the bandwagon, even if it’s one of those little wonky donkey space saver tyres that sort of make the bandwagon limp along. I don’t care. Get onboard mate.
“There’s plenty of room but once you’re onboard, you’re strapped in. Once you make it click, you can’t unclick it. Your seatbelt is on for life brother. Your Warriors jersey is tattooed onto your torso brother.
“Your Warriors is my Warriors and together we are the One New Zealand Warriors and we’re heading to the premiership. Is it this year, is it 20-20 million? I don’t know but I’m going to be there rain, hail, shine, light breeze, perfect conditions, win, lose or draw. We are the Warriors and we’re going to be there forever.”
Absolutely loyal until the bitter end. RIP Dai, a Warriors fan like no other.
