U2's Bono sports the Warriors' logo on his back. Picture / Dean Purcell
When it comes to free publicity, having your logo plastered across the back of one of the world's best known rock superstars is about as good as it gets.
And yesterday the Warriors rugby league team were rubbing their hands after U2's Bono chose to wear the team's
distinctive flag on his jacket in front of 45,000 fans during Friday night's concert at Mt Smart Stadium.
Local promoter for the concert, Peter Grumley, said the unexpected plug for the team came after he was asked by U2's management late Friday afternoon to find a Warriors flag for Bono to take on stage. He wanted the flag because it was "unique to the stadium," Grumley said.
The stadium's Playbill merchandising store manager Ngaire Stent gave a $15 supporter's flag to Grumley to pass on to the famous rocker. She didn't charge for it.
Warriors football manager Don Mann also gave Grumley a replica jersey of Warriors captain Steven Price for the singer, although it wasn't worn.
However, Mann said it was "immense" to see Bono wearing the flag. "We're very proud - not only because it was the Warriors, but because it was New Zealand."
While in New Zealand, Bono and guitarist The Edge treated themselves to Kiwi hospitality and stayed on the luxurious Michael Fay-owned Great Mercury Island in the Coromandel.
The island is 20km off the Coromandel coast, but only a 25-minute trip by helicopter from Auckland city. It costs about $20,000 a day to hire.
