Front rower Chris Satae is the latest player to come through local football to make the Vodafone Warriors’ wider NRL squad.
The 1.92cm, 115kg prop made his Intrust Super Premiership debut off the bench for the Vodafone Warriors against Newcastle in the opening round and has also been used in the clashes against Canterbury-Bankstown and Illawarra.
He has again been named on the interchange for Sunday’s ISP match against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Mount Smart Stadium (1.45pm kick-off). The Vodafone Warriors lead the competition after four straight wins.
Satae, a St Paul’s College product, was previously on Penrith’s books, playing for the Panthers at NYC level in 2012. Initially with Glenora when he returned home, he has been impressive for the Point Chevalier Pirates in Auckland’s Fox Memorial premiership, earning selection for Akarana and New Zealand Residents.
“He’s another great example of the way our pathways have worked,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment and development manager Tony Iro.
“The ISP team is a continuing development tool for local players and for our young NYC graduates like Ofa Ogden, Erin Clark, Isaiah Papali’i and Junior Pauga.”
Iro cites Satae as one of a number of local players who have been part of the ISP squad this season. Among the others are former Vodafone Junior Warriors James Bell, Sam Cook and Daniel Palavi plus Pat Sipley, who played NYC football with Manly. Others are Canterbury Bulls players Tevin Arona and Matt Sauni plus JT Vuetibau and King Vuniyayawa from Papakura’s 2016 Fox Memorial title-winning side.
