Ally Tamihere, Gisborne Tairāwhiti Rugby League ‘s district coordinator who chairs the Upper Central Zone Rugby League Board, said the opportunity came about through an offer from a friend, Petrece Kesha.
Kesha, general manager community with the New Zealand Warriors, contacted Tamihere about the possibility of junior teams from Tairāwhiti playing curtain-raisers for the game.
“Although there was a short time frame leading into the games, the tamariki trained hard and they played hard, too,” Tamihere said.
No one really wanted to coach their own tamariki in the Mahaki Warriors, but one of the fathers, Daniel Beets, stuck his hand up, she said.
He had plenty of support from whānau as he prepared the team, and expressed his gratitude for the input of one of the “papas”, Ken Gifford, for sharing his knowledge and experience with the tamariki.
Beets also appreciated the awhi and tautoko (care and support) of fellow fathers Nicholas Tahiwi and Liam Osborne.
For the junior league players, it was a dream come true to play on the home turf of their league heroes such as Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris, then watch them thump the Dolphins 30-8..
“It opens a different lens for our tamariki when they actually see and experience it,” Tamihere said.
Mahaki Warriors drew their match 3-3 while the Paikea Whalers won theirs 20-10, perhaps benefiting from their experience of playing at Māori tournaments.
The Mt Albert Lions compete in the regular junior competitions in Auckland so the Tairāwhiti teams can hold their heads high over their performances.
Tamihere said it was wonderful to see the Paikea Whalers starting with the Paikea haka.
“Opportunities like this are rare and would not be possible without support and sponsorship, big or small, and the tautoko and awhi of the whānau,” Tamihere said.
“A big mihi to the sponsors and to all involved.”
MVPs (most valuable players) for both matches received a certificate and were photographed with some of the NZ Warriors team.
MVP for Mahaki Warriors was Rylan Matiaha while for Paikea Whalers it was Kobe Kemp.
Tamihere said there had not been a Mahaki Warriors team for years and it was great to reignite the flame on such a big stage.
“I sought permission for the team from past members of the Mahaki Warriors . . . there hasn’t been a team for decades.”
It was a privilege to revive the name, she said.
Whalers coach Richard Brown said the curtain-raiser wasn’t about winning, it was about the experience.
“It was a 15-minute, jump-on-the-field-and-have-a-go experience,” Brown said.
“We had eight-to-10-year-olds playing, boys and girls. We had a couple that we knew from Waikato, and they came along and jumped on the kaupapa.”
The youngsters took their opportunity and their skill level impressed the spectators, who responded with appreciative applause.
Seeing themselves on the big screen was a buzz, Brown said.
“They did the Paikea haka, which surprised a lot of people. Everyone was cheering as they did it.
“On the Friday we went to the Blues-and-Highlanders (Super Pacific Rugby) game.
“On Saturday we went to the All Blacks Experience and Kelly Tarltons, then headed to the game.”
More tournaments are coming up, starting with the Māori Kōtiro Tournament in Rotorua on July 14 and 15.
Brown said that was the only place where the team could test their skills.
“We have been the only club from Gisborne taking kids to the Māori nationals,” he said.
“It the only tournament around for our kids because we have no league competition here.”
