Warriors legend Adam Blair joins Courtney Tairi, Blake Ayshford, Lewis Brown in the premier edition of Warriors TV Lockdown. Adam will talk of life in the lockdown and reflect on his time in the Maori All Stars. Plus we find out the meaning of Ken Maumalo’s tattoos, why Issac Luke is the worst room-mate of all time and Gary the Grappler instructs us in the importance of the wrestle in the tackle. Video / Sky Sport
Have you always wanted to know what makes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tick?
How leading players cope with being cut from the squad?
Or why Blake Ayshford is wearing nothing but an ill-fitting wrestling singlet at training?
Well, starting tonight you can find the answers to these and many other questions on the first episode of Warriors TV, live on Sky Sport and nzherald.co.nz.
Filming of the series, courtesy of Sky Sport and the Warriors, started before the global Covid-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the NRL but promises to a "no-holds-barred look" at what goes on behind closed doors at Mt Smart.
In the first episode, Warriors forward Adam Blair joins Courtney Tairi, Blake Ayshford and Lewis Brown to talk about life in the lockdown and reflect on his time with the Māori All Stars. Plus we find out the meaning of Ken Maumalo's tattoos, why Issac Luke is the worst roommate of all time, and Gary the Grappler instructs us in the importance of the wrestle in the tackle.
In a statement, Sky Sport called the series "a first for a high-profile New Zealand sports team" and said former players with close ties to the club - Ayshford and Francis Leger - would unlock never-before-told stories.
"From unique lockdown features, rare glimpses at post-match in the sheds and how injured players and their whanau deal with stress, to team politics, motivational beats and what's happening with former players – every aspect of what it's like to be part of the Warriors will be covered."
Warriors TV is set to show what goes on behind the scenes at the Warriors. Photo / Photosport
Warriors CEO Cameron George welcomed the series and said Ayshford and Leger would be allowed to "roam free".
"We have some of the most loyal fans in any code and we know they are hungry for more intel on their favourite club. When Sky Sport approached us with the concept, we were 100 per cent up for it, knowing we would be creating an even tighter connection with our supporters," said George.
"We were also very conscious the secret to Warriors TV being a success would be a willingness to be absolutely open and transparent, and to work with producers who know the game inside and out. We're totally committed to letting Blake Ayshford and Francis Leger; both former players, roam free in the team. We're excited to see what they are putting together with the help of Sky Sport's world-class crew.
"Of course, things have now changed with C-19, and we're in the thick of that. It will mean changes for what we had originally planned for Warriors TV, but we were keen to get it out there and we're delighted to be going live this week."
"Sky Sport is a huge supporter of the Warriors," said Sky CEO Martin Stewart.
"That support helps grow the game at every level ensuring the code is sustainable and part and parcel of that growth is ensuring there's ongoing excitement and engagement with and for fans.
"Warriors TV is our first endeavour embedding a crew into a team for a first-hand, up-close look at what it's like inside. It's a privilege to have the full commitment to the project by the Warriors players and management. They're showing us their vulnerability and we really respect that. Blake and Francis have really stepped up to the task – and we're stoked with the calibre of the first episodes in the can.
"If this works, and we know it will, we'll be looking at other projects like this."
Warriors TV kicks off on Thursday at 7pm on Sky Sport 4, Sky Sport Now and nzherald.co.nz and will be available on The Sky Sport Highlights App.
