Vodafaone Warriors v Panthers
Date: Friday, July 14, 2017
Venue: 'Manu Vatuvei' Stadium, Auckland
Game Day Hashtag: #NRLWarriorsPanthers #ThankYouManu
Key Timings
Gates Open: 4.30pm
Curtain raiser Kick-off: 4.45pm – Marist Girls v Marlins Kotiro Toa
NYC Kick-off: 5.45pm - Vodafone Junior Warriors v Penrith Panthers
NRL Kick-off: 8.00pm - Vodafone Warriors v Penrith Panthers
Details
Farewell to Manu
The Vodafone Warriors will be honouring legendary winger Manu Vatuvei at Friday night’s round 19 clash against the Penrith Panthers.
Vatuvei won’t play against the Panthers but those in attendance will have the opportunity to acknowledge him and his contribution to the Vodafone Warriors before he leaves for Salford in the English Super League on Saturday.
Among the festivities planned, the Vodafone Warriors will be giving out inflatable hands at the gates and in the membership clubrooms as a tribute to “The Beast’s” signature try-scoring celebration.
Members are also encouraged to check in at the membership clubrooms where a small number of limited edition Vatuvei posters will be available on a first in, first served basis.
Vatuvei’s teammates will also have his name, Vodafone Warrior number and signature embroidered into their playing jerseys. They will warm up in special Canterbury tees with Vatuvei #115 on the back.
Before kick off, Vatuvei will also walk onto the field he’s graced for more than a decade one last time.
But it’s the re-naming of Mount Smart Stadium to Manu Vatuvei Stadium for “The Beast’s” farewell that is sure to turn most heads.
Harvey Norman Women in League celebrations
The ‘Harvey Norman Women in League’ round also returns to Manu Vatuvei Stadium this week with match day sponsor Harvey Norman and the Vodafone Warriors looking to acknowledge the wonderful women who help make rugby league the fantastic game it is.
On arrival at the venue, pick up a $20 voucher which can be used at any of the club’s merchandise outlets on game day only when you spend at least $100. We will also be doing a $10 wine and cheese game day special to celebrate the Harvey Norman Women in League round.
In support of the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand we are also encouraging our fans to donate funds at bucket collection points on entry. All funds will go towards assisting with medical research, awareness, support and project reserves.
As always, the Harvey Norman Community Fun Zone will be pumping with plenty of fun activities for the kids.
Before the Vodafone Junior Warriors game kicks off at 5:30pm, we will be showcasing grassroots women’s rugby league with an under-15 Nines match. Get to the ground early to watch Marist Girls versus Manurewa Kotiro Toa go head to head at 4:45pm. This match will be officiated by the Vodafone Warriors’ own community manager Petrece Kesha.
Other game day features include the mini-mod games, the Canterbury of New Zealand T-shirt cannon, the official Ray White Coin Toss and much more.
Half-time ‘kick for cash’ competition
Thanks to our great partners at Harvey Norman, we have $10,000 ready to donate to four local clubs to compete at halftime for their share of the prize money.
On the Vodafone Warriors’ Facebook page, we’ve set up a poll which contains all Auckland Rugby League clubs.
The four clubs which gather the most votes by Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30pm, will then be asked to nominate three females (these nominees can be players or officials, volunteers or fans) to take part in a halftime kicking competition at Manu Vatuvei Stadium on July 14.
In a three-minute period, each of the teams need to kick as many goals as possible and will earn the following points for their efforts:
10m drop kick from each side of the field = 1 point
20m place kick in front of the posts = 2 points
50m kick in front of the post = 10 points
Kicked balls must be retrieved by members of the kicking team. But just to spice things up a bit more, each time the cheer-o-meter (crowd decibel reader) goes above 90 decibels during a team’s three-minute window, they will receive double the points for every successful goal they kick in the ensuing 20 seconds.
The club which places first overall will receive a staggering $5,000 in vouchers from Harvey Norman while second place ($2,500), third place ($1,500) and last place ($1,000) won’t go home empty-handed and will also get vouchers.
If there is a tie, the teams on level points will each get an additional 20 seconds to kick as many balls over. If there is still a deadlock, we’ll go to our cheer-o-meter (decibel reader) for the crowd to decide who our winning team is.
Instant Kiwi
Digital Instant Kiwi Scratchies will be available this game day with prizes up for grabs. Using a smart phone, click on the link to participate and follow the step-by-step instructions. With 381 prizes on offer, you can win up to $10,000. If you are a winner of this R18 activity, head to the white marquee located in the north-east stand corner next to the Ultimate Road Warrior to redeem your prize. (ID will be required)
Transport
Can’t figure out how to get to the game? There will be a free train service on Friday night to and from Manu Vatuvei Stadium when you display your match ticket or membership card.
