The Warriors are aiming for a third straight Harold Matthews Cup title. Photo / Photosport
Fourteen years after former Warriors prop Albert Vete came through the club’s pathways system, he is turning his attention to helping the next generation of players to chase their NRL dreams.
Vete has been appointed head coach of the Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup side, which competes in the New South Wales Under‑17 competition, replacing T.J. Ashford, who has stepped up to lead the club’s Jersey Flegg (U21) team.
It’s an exciting opportunity for Vete but it comes with lots of expectations.
The Warriors are entering their third season in the 17‑team competition as back‑to‑back champions. They won the title in their debut season in 2024 with a 34-16 grand final victory over the Western Magpies, before backing it up last year by beating the Newcastle Knights 30-16.
The last side to win three straight titles were the Paramatta Eels between 1997 and ’99.
For Vete, it is a full‑circle moment. A product of the Warriors’ pathway system, he joined the club’s U20 side in 2012 after finishing high school, spent two seasons there and later progressed to the wider training squad before making his NRL debut in 2015.
Coaching was not on Vete’s radar until he spoke with the Warriors’ recruitment, pathways and development manager Andrew McFadden. Last year, he was an assistant for the club’s S.G. Ball Cup (U19) team.
While he admits there is pressure filling Ashford’s shoes, Vete told the Herald that the role is about more than winning titles.
“T.J. has done an amazing job with these boys the last two years.
“Andrew McFadden was clear to me what he wants and results aside, this grade is for development, so if I can do that with my boys, then I’m winning.
“Anything outside of that is extra and we’ll take those wins as they come but first and foremost, we’re a development team and we’re about giving these boys an opportunity.”
Vete recalls becoming interested in coaching after arriving in the UK, where he started to see and think about rugby league differently. At the start of 2024, he contacted McFadden, who has helped guide him on his journey.
The two have a close bond as McFadden handed Vete his NRL debut in the opening round of the 2015 season, when he was coach of the team. McFadden’s assistant at the time was current head coach Andrew Webster.
Vete came from a rugby union background and captained Saint Kentigern College to the Auckland 1A title in 2012.
Then came the switch to league, Vete going on to play 46 games for the Warriors in the NRL, followed by a stint at the Melbourne Storm before moving to the UK, where he spent four years at multiple clubs.
The 33-year-old, who is now teaching physical education and health at his old school, said it feels special to be involved back at the club that gave him an opportunity all those years ago and now he wants the chance to give back.
“Coming back and being a coach, there’s lessons that I’ve learned with my time when I was in the under-20s, New South Wales Cup, NRL and Super League,” Vete said.
“I want to help these boys not make those mistakes that I made, give them some advice around how to manage their footy and how to manage life.
“I’ve been to a few of the NRL trainings to watch [Warriors coach Andrew Webster] and learn from him and get some advice from him. He’s welcomed me with open arms to help me develop and give the support I need.”
The Harrold Matthews Cup is the start of the pathway for young players as they work their way up the ranks through to the NRL.
When Vete came through, there was just the U20 competition, the Holden Cup, which ran from 2008-17. The Warriors were the most successful club in that era, reaching four finals and claiming three titles.
After the competition was shelved, the Warriors initially entered the Jersey Flegg tournament and then decided to change tack and focus on the S.G. Ball, but the Covid pandemic shelved those plans too.
Emerging from the Covid era and settling back to being based in New Zealand, the Warriors established teams in the Harold Matthews Cup, S.G. Ball Cup and in the Jersey Flegg competition while relaunching their New South Wales Cup side, to provide genuine pathways for players to try crack the NRL.
The current system has already helped several players go on to crack the NRL, including Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Leka Halasima.
Vete says the team have been training since November and he can’t wait to get stuck in.
“From the players and the coaching staff perspective, I think we’re just excited to get out on the field and show what we’ve been working on,” Vete said. “The boys have been outstanding in terms of their application to what we’ve given them to help them for the season ahead.
“I’m really excited, there are nerves but can’t wait to get among the season.”
Tusi Fanolua will captain the side and he’s among several players returning this season. Most of the players are from the Auckland region, but many travel from as far south as Christchurch and as close as Tauranga.
Overall, there are 53 players in the squad, but some of the players are there for training experience with an eye to playing next year.
Vete’s right-hand man for the campaign is Jethro Friend, who also came through the Warriors U20 system.
The Warriors begin their quest for a third straight title on Sunday in their season-opener against Manly Sea Eagles in Takanini.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.