Auckland, New Zealand, December 17, 2008 – North Harbour Stadium will be the first Auckland sporting venue to see World Cup-winning Kiwi stars in action when the Vodafone Warriors take on the North Queensland Cowboys in a day-time NRL trial there on Sunday, February 22 next year.
The Vodafone Warriors’ seven world champion New Zealand internationals will all be in contention to appear in the club’s second build-up match ahead of its 2009 NRL campaign.
Not only that, the symbol of the Kiwis’ success – the Rugby League World Cup itself – is set to have its first major public outing at a league match in the Queen City three months to the day after the historic triumph in Brisbane.
“We have a long tradition of playing trial matches at North Harbour Stadium,” said Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah.
“This one is extra special for us because the public will have a chance to not only see what the Vodafone Warriors have in store for 2009 – including our new signings – but it will also be a great chance to salute a number of the players who helped the Kiwis win the World Cup and to also see the impressive trophy.
“As a club we’re naturally proud that so many of our players had a role in New Zealand’s success and we certainly hope it provides a knock-on effect for the Vodafone Warriors.”
Five of the club’s World Cup sextet were in the backline that beat Australia 34-20 in the World Cup final on November 22 – Lance Hohaia at fullback, Manu Vatuvei on the left wing, Simon Mannering and Jerome Ropati in the centres and Nathan Fien at halfback – while prop Sam Rapira impressed off the bench. His fellow front rower Evarn Tuimavave was also part of the successful squad.
The Kiwi players are taking an off-season break now but rejoin their club-mates when the pre-season phase of their preparation for the 2009 NRL programme kicks off on January 5. Also set to link up with the squad then will be Australian internationals Steve Price and Brent Tate plus Scotland’s Ian Henderson.
Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary stressed the value of the North Queensland trial in the club’s plans.
“We want to field the best possible side we can for this trial and it’s also important for us that we come up with a winning performance,” he said.
“We need to start the NRL season better than has been the case for us in recent years and we believe the key to that is ensuring our results in trials improve. That’s why the North Harbour game is so vital for us.”
Apart from the current internationals, Cleary will be able to call on the Vodafone Warriors’ key acquisitions – the Brisbane duo of winger Denan Kemp and standoff/centre Joel Moon, tough North Queensland back row forward Jacob Lillyman, Melbourne halfback Liam Foran and New Zealand legend Stacey Jones.
Also in the mix are two other signings in Christchurch-born hooker Lewis Brown, who has come to Mt Smart Stadium after being with Wests Tigers, and former North Sydney standoff Aaron Heremaia, now on trial with the Vodafone Warriors after impressing for the Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this year.
“We have some other young players who were with the Vodafone Junior Warriors this year who are also pushing their claims,” said Cleary.
The Cowboys, seeking redemption after a disappointing 2008 season, will bring some familiar faces and a few new ones with them. The big attraction is set to be captain and Kangaroo star Johnathan Thurston, who had to savour defeat in the World Cup final against the Kiwis.
Expected to travel are three new players in ex-Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga, former South Sydney forward Manase Manuokafoa and ex-Melbourne, Queensland and Kangaroo prop Antonio Kaufusi.
But the signing that will attract the most interest will be 2006-2008 Vodafone Warrior Grant Rovelli, who has only just been granted a release to join the Cowboys. After kick-starting his 68-game NRL career in Auckland, Rovelli, a former North Queensland junior, is set to ironically line up against his old team-mates almost instantly.
He won’t move to Townsville until early in the New Year after his partner Lauren gave birth to the couple’s first child – daughter Lola Rose – on December 8. Rovelli has kept training with the Vodafone Warriors and will be joined by family in Auckland for a New Zealand Christmas before returning to his homeland.
He was officially farewelled by the Vodafone Warriors on Tuesday, when he was presented with a specially embroidered jersey bearing his club number (127) and career details and he was also given a framed photo. Rovelli told his team-mates of the past three years that he couldn’t wait to line up against them on February 22.
While Rovelli, Tonga, Manuokafoa and Kaufusi give the Cowboys a new look on the field in 2009, there has also been a major change off it with former Canberra coach Neil Henry coming on board as the new boss.
The February 22 trial will kick off at 4.00pm with the Vodafone Junior Warriors involved in a trial of their own at 2.15pm ahead of their NYC season.
Both the Vodafone Warriors and the Vodafone Junior Warriors were within one win of making their grand finals this year.
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