Warriors wow in rare showing
Rugby league fans had a day to remember, with a win for the New Zealand Warriors in the first top level game in Manawatu in more than 20 years.
Spectators cheered and waved flags throughout the side’s confident 26 - 6 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Central Energy Trust Arena on Sunday.
The large crowd was rewarded with players greeting fans and signing autographs after the game.
In the stands, fan Paul Macdonald said he was at the ground for the last Warriors’ pre-season in Palmerston North in 1995, and it had been a long wait for his next fix of league.
‘‘It’s better up close, you hear the impact of the tackles, you don’t get that effect on TV. You feel the pain.’’
He was hoping for a better season this year from the Warriors, who finished 10th in 2016. Based on their form on Sunday, Macdonald said things were looking hopeful.
‘‘They’re working together.’’
Terrence Waruhopa, 10, was thrilled to see the big game up close.
‘‘Seeing them, you get excited, the crowd’s really good - they are cheering, and they’ve got Shaun well
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Leading by example boy for the match.
‘‘League’s exciting to watch live, it’s so fast, it doesn’t take 16 moves to go up, and there’s bigger hits.
‘‘It’s good because it’s promoting league for the younger ones, because it’s not as strong here [as union].’’
Riko Tuisafia, 8, is a College Old Boys club player, and goes to Milson School in Palmerston North.
He was on the sidelines with his mum, waving a Warriors flag.
‘‘The [fans] are making lots of noise. It’s cool. [Watching live] helps me in learning defence, to see them do scrums and tackles and tries.’’