Fairytale continues for Warriors fans
The ‘‘house full’’ signs went up at Mt Smart Stadium last night as league fans revelled in the Warriors’ extraordinary run.
Ticket booths boasted ‘Sold Out’ signs at each gate as a whopping crowd of more than 25,000 turned out to see the allconquering Warriors defeat the North Queensland Cowboys 22-12, the climax of a doubleheader also featuring the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers.
As part of a perfect night, former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall kicked the late field goal that won the match for the Tigers.
But it was the Warriors the crowds had come to see. The vibe had been building all week – fans are agog at the team’s five from five this season after so many disappointments in years gone by.
The feelgood factor was at a high as multitudes of flag-waving fans in Warriors kit streamed through Onehunga’s streets.
The booming crowd could be heard a block away and the smell of deep fried doughnuts hung in the air.
Wearing her mum’s too-big pink Warriors shirt, a very excited Mischa Kimpton, 9, waited outside the gates.
Described by her dad, Daniel McNicholl, as a ‘‘massive fan,’’ Mischa was attending her first Warriors game.
She’d excitedly watched from home in the lead-up and was ready to wave her flag high – after a turn on the bouncy castle, of course.
The Tonitiare family from Ma¯ngere were also pumped for the match – no one more so than 4-year-old Heitiare.
The family are long-time season
As a rugby league fan for 50-odd years, to have a sellout crowd is fantastic. Sir Peter Leitch
ticket holders. Dad Rima, mum Mohiti, 8-year-old Taitai and Heitiare were clad head to toe in supporter’s gear, with the littlest fan, 18-month-old Talitha, in Warriors’ signature black.
Father and son Sean and Milan Wilson were also showing off their Warriors gear. And Milan, 11, had no doubt the team would keep winning.
Roshelle Ormsby, Felicity Greig and Bridie Frost travelled up from Taupo¯ for a mate’s 40th birthday.
Though they weren’t decided on who they were backing – Ormsby called Cowboys while wearing a Rabbitohs jersey, and Frost was backing the Warriors – they were ‘‘excited as’’.
Speaking from the halfway line just as Warriors wing Ken Maumalo scored the first try, Sir Peter Leitch said the feeling in the stadium was electric.
‘‘As a rugby league fan for 50-odd years, to have crowd is fantastic.’’
Fans can look forward more home games.
The Warriors face the Broncos next week before the Dragons head to Mt Smart on April 20. Then it is back on the road to face Melbourne on Anzac Day.
High five for Warriors Sport, p1
a sellout to three