Warriors celebrate Pacific pride as they chase fourth straight victory on home soil

The New Zealand Warriors will celebrate their Pacific heritage on Friday night as they host the West Tigers, with more than half of their squad this round coming from Pasifika backgrounds.

For former players, the club’s growing representation of Pacific culture is something they could only have dreamed of during their own careers.

Former Warriors player and dual international for Tonga and the Kiwis, Awen Guttenbeil, told PMN News that “to play in a Pacific night would have been unreal.

"I think there’s been a real movement as well in terms of the support from the [Pacific] fans that come along to watch the games."

Monty Betham, the club’s first captain of Pacific heritage, says he is proud of how far Pacific representation in the game has come.

“When I think about when I first came into the club as a scholarship player, 15 years of age, not even really knowing that Pasifika one day was going to be a real force of the NRL competition, especially amongst our Wahs team,” Betham told PMN News.

2002 Warriors team. Photo/ Bruce Jarvis/Photosport

“To now come full circle back and be working with some of the young Warriors and seeing them all of Pasifika nature just makes you very proud to see them become such a force in the premier competition.”

Since the club’s inception in 1995, more than 45 per cent of Warriors players have been of Pacific heritage, a trend that continues under head coach Andrew Webster.

For Tigers’ coach Benji Marshall, his overall squad features around 60 per cent of players with Pasifika roots, including household names like Jarome Luai and Apisai ‘Api’ Koroisau.

Guttenbeil praised the Warriors for creating an environment where Pasifika players can thrive.

“What the Warriors do really well is their pathways for young players coming through and the guidance they give you… and they do a fantastic job of representing each culture,” he said.

“The fact that Warriors are embracing that and also giving a platform to celebrate that is incredible.”

He also highlighted the role of fans: “It really has given an incredible boost to the game, and it’s such a lovely environment to be a part of, and also to see there is acknowledgement from the individual clubs that they can celebrate a Pacific round.”

Both Guttenbeil and Betham emphasised the strong “brotherhood” within the club, and the pride the Warriors show in respecting those who paved the way before them.

On the field, the Wahs are chasing a fourth straight win, with fans hoping the weather eases ahead of the 8pm (NZT) kick-off.

Key players for the home side include Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Luke Metcalf, while the Tigers will rely on stars like Jeral Skelton and Koroisau.

With the combination of Pacific pride and strong form on the field, Friday night’s clash promises to be a celebration of culture and rugby league talent.

Teams:

Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Luke Metcalf, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris ©, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark. Interchange: Sam Healey, Mitchell Barnett ©, Demetric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Marata Niukore

Tigers: Jahream Bula, Jeral Skelton, Sunia Turuva, Heamasi Makasini, Luke Lauilii, Jock Madden, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul, Alex Twal. Interchange: Tristan Hope, Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt, Alex Seyfarth, Bunty Afoa, Tino Tavana