Five One New Zealand Warriors players have been named in the men’s Māori All Stars squad to face the Indigenous All Stars at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Friday, February 16 (7.10pm kick-off local time; 10.10pm NZT).
Dally M winger of the year Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns to the side alongside centre Adam Pompey – the sole Warrior in last year’s match – back rowers Dylan Walker and Jazz Tevaga and half Te Maire Martin.
Head coach and former Warrior Adam Blair has also selected former Warrior Jesse Arthars while another ex-Warrior Josh Curran is again in the Indigenous All Stars line-up.
Returning to the Māori squad is ex-Kangaroo Dane Gagai who’s in a group which includes 11 past or current Kiwis.
Leeds Rhinos legend Ali Lauitiiti is a man of many talents, his latest power becoming the New Zealand Warriors‘ new chaplain while simultaneously launching his own venture Kofe Bro, a mobile coffee cart business.
What started as a family side hustle quickly became a passion project and a staple of the Go Media Stadium car park with Kofe Bro combining Lauitiiti’s love for coffee and a chance to bond with his daughters.
“Honestly, for me, it’s just about contributing joy to people’s days,” Lauitiiti said, “It’s a fun thing me and the family can bond over, but being involved with the Warriors in my new role has meant I’m able to occasionally cross the two passions over so it’s been really cool in that respect.”
