Sports panel Cam McMillan and Chris Reive talk All Blacks team naming, Warriors v Panthers, Black Ferns v South Africa and Netball NZ standing down Dame Noeline Taurua.
The Warriors fan who made a Facebook post to a fan group encouraging supporters to disrupt the Penrith Panthers at their hotel ahead of Saturday’s elimination final in Auckland insists it was purely a joke.
A profile under the name Sione Tuigamala, made the post earlier this week to the‘New Zealand Warriors Till I Die’ group which gave people a “multi choice list of ways to help” the Warriors defy the odds and beat the Panthers.
The options included fireworks, burnouts and screaming in the early hours of Saturday morning outside the Pullman Hotel, egging the coaches box or running on to the field as a last resort.
The post went viral and when the Panthers caught wind, they contacted the NRL citing their concerns.
This isn’t the first time Tuigamala has made similar posts to this in the group, but he’s since come out to insist it was purely a joke and not to do any of those things.
“We do not condone, promote or encourage dangerous illegal or antisocial behaviour such are fireworks, burnouts or causing disturbances,” he wrote in a Facebook post, accompanied with a video of the Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns talking about it.
“Do not attempt or copy anything shown or referenced. This content is for entertainment purposes only.”
Tuigamala is known among the 35,000 members of the group as somebody who provides light-hearted humour. He first made comments about standing outside team hotels before the 2024 season and has made two posts this year about it as well, before the Brisbane Broncos clash in April and the St George Illawarra Dragons match last month.
Other posts he’s made in the group include leading a haka before every match and taking a boat to Brisbane to watch the Warriors.
Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron told the Sydney Morning Herald that he expects fans from both teams to “act responsibly”.
“We’re aware of the post that has been circulating,” Cameron said.
“I’m all for the fans being passionate about their team. I would expect both sets of fans to act responsibly while still supporting their clubs.
“There’s a lot of respect between the two clubs and everyone is excited about the challenge of going to New Zealand and playing in front of a full stadium.”
Warriors CEO Cameron George. Photo / Photosport
Warriors CEO Cameron George insists there is no reason to panic.
“There’s no need for Penrith to be concerned or stressed,” George said. “We have very responsible fans. We don’t expect anything other than them being jovial about the weekend.
“They’re excited about the weekend. Penrith don’t need to feel unsafe or anything in regards to that with their hotel.”
The Panthers head into the match as huge favourites, having won nine of the past 10 meetings between the two sides.
A handful of tickets still remain for Saturday’s clash.
