Offseason training is now into its fifth week for the Vodafone Warriors non-Rugby League World Cup players.
When training began ahead of the 2014 NRL season late last month, there was a small group of 14 players with the rest at the Rugby League World Cup or having a break after other representative commitments.
Along with core sessions the remaining Vodafone Warriors have also been put through some varied sessions including dragon boat racing the The Taniwha event just south of Tokoroa.
Gradually the size of the squad has grown with 2013 NRL Vodafone Rookie of the Year Ngani Laumape one of the most recent to return after playing for the New Zealand Maori and also turning out in the annual Maori rugby league tournament in Rotorua. David Bhana, Albert Vete and Raymond Faitala-Mariner all upgraded to fulltime NRL contracts in 2014 are also back after playing in the NYC grand final and then representing the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.
Some other 2013 Vodafone Junior Warriors players David Fusitua, Mason Lino, Abraham Papalii, Sam Lisone and Solomone Kata among them have been training with the squad.
After having a rest day today, the players will return tomorrow (Thursday) for field and gym sessions. Theyll also work out on Friday and again on Saturday morning before they all join kids, parents and caregivers at the annual SKYCITY Kidz First Childrens Hospital Christmas party that afternoon (running from 2.00pm-4.00pm).
When training began ahead of the 2014 NRL season late last month, there was a small group of 14 players with the rest at the Rugby League World Cup or having a break after other representative commitments.
Along with core sessions the remaining Vodafone Warriors have also been put through some varied sessions including dragon boat racing the The Taniwha event just south of Tokoroa.
Gradually the size of the squad has grown with 2013 NRL Vodafone Rookie of the Year Ngani Laumape one of the most recent to return after playing for the New Zealand Maori and also turning out in the annual Maori rugby league tournament in Rotorua. David Bhana, Albert Vete and Raymond Faitala-Mariner all upgraded to fulltime NRL contracts in 2014 are also back after playing in the NYC grand final and then representing the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.
Some other 2013 Vodafone Junior Warriors players David Fusitua, Mason Lino, Abraham Papalii, Sam Lisone and Solomone Kata among them have been training with the squad.
After having a rest day today, the players will return tomorrow (Thursday) for field and gym sessions. Theyll also work out on Friday and again on Saturday morning before they all join kids, parents and caregivers at the annual SKYCITY Kidz First Childrens Hospital Christmas party that afternoon (running from 2.00pm-4.00pm).
