Rotorua abuzz ahead of Warriors, Storm NRL clash

The countdown is on to kick-off in Rotorua.

The Vodafone Warriors' NRL trial game against the Melbourne Storm is just a day away Tomorrow's match is the Warriors' fourth pre-season match in Rotorua since 2010.

It's hoped up to 10,000 people will flock to the Rotorua International Stadium for the match at 3pm.

Local fans have made the most of the stars' packed schedule of public visits this week.

NZ Warriors training at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Thursday, 15 February 2018

Western Heights Primary School and Selwyn Primary School were visited by Warriors' team members this afternoon.

They were the last of 12 schools on the schedule, along with yesterday's signing session with the Warriors and the Melbourne side at the Night Market.

Members of the squad will also be at Harvey Norman from 4.30pm to 5.30pm today.

Great turnout to meet the Warriors at the night market tonight. Did you or your kids get any autographs?

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Wednesday, 14 February 2018

The 23-man Warriors squad held an open field session at the match venue this morning. League followers of all ages turned up to get close to the action, including fanatic Sir Peter "The Mad Butcher" Leitch.

Kawiti Mahaki, 13, said he had "never seen the Warriors in person before and it was really motivating".

Rotorua Boys' High School's head of PE, Kevin MacDonald, brought the Senior Sports Academy down to the spectacle.

The academy paid particular attention to 2017 Boys' High first XV captain Hayze Perham .

Hayze Perham runs onto the field watched by Rotorua Boys' High School Senior Sports Academy members. Photo/Stephen Parker

He signed for the Warriors last year and will debut this weekend.

MacDonald said the session was a great opportunity for the current students to see how professional sport worked.

"A lot of boys trained with Hayze. He was a hard worker at school too. Watching him today proves hard work does pay off, it is possible."

Hayze Perham, ahead of his Warriors debut on Saturday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Year 13 student and rugby player Tamaikoha Te Aute said seeing Perham in the squad of stars was "unreal".

"It feels like we were just training with him the other day."

Tamaikoha said he took a lot away from watching the training.

"They start off with the basics just as we do. It shows the basics are just as important as all the little details."

Fellow Year 13 rugby player Poukohe Sorenson Tawhara said league was "another door to open and look into".

Rotorua Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children manager Tanya Hemara has arranged 10 family passes for kids in need to head to the game.

She approached Rotorua Lakes Council operations and event development manager Crispian Stewart .

He helped arrange the tickets to allow the kids "to come to an event they might not normally".

Hemara said the kids attending would be those with high-end needs, who had been removed from their parents because of neglect or abuse.

She said some of the caregivers had their own children, so the game was a great opportunity for caregivers to take both sets of kids out as a family.

"At events like this they can practise good behaviour and feel part of a family. They are spending the day like any other child would."

Hemara said a lot of the kids had had few positive role models in their lives, so the game was a chance to "see them and have dreams".

"One of the boys with tickets plays league and really enjoys it. He is just so excited."

Warriors v Storm
Where: Rotorua International Stadium
When: Saturday, kick-off 3pm
Tickets: At the gate, adults $20, kids $7.50