Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is excited for the opportunity to showcase the culture and passion of the Kiwi club to American fans in the NRL season opener against Canberra.
The Raiders have had a Viking horn manufactured in the USA in a bid to replicate the atmosphere at their home games in Canberra, and are aiming to secure a big-name American sports identity to blow it at Allegiant Stadium.
However, the Warriors are unique as the NRL’s only New Zealand-based team and Nicoll-Klokstad said players and fans were looking forward to giving Americans a taste of 'Wahs' culture.
“I am really excited for our club to be able to go over to Las Vegas and showcase our talent as a one-nation team,” Nicoll-Klokstad told NRL.com.
“It is going to be amazing. It is going to be a proud moment. I definitely know we have one charter flight for all our fans going over and I’m sure there’s going to be other charter flights where our fans are going to get on as well.
“Just to see a different type of crowd, it is going to be cool for the locals in the USA, and I am really excited to showcase our talent as a Warriors club and myself, as well.”
After spending four seasons in Canberra before returning to the Warriors in 2023, Nicoll-Klokstad said it was extra special to be playing his former club in Vegas.
“I love my footy and I did love Canberra and everything about Canberra. I probably left for more off field reasons than on field reasons,” he said.
“It meant that I was able to go home and be closer to my kids who had moved back home earlier a couple of years before I actually moved home. To go up against my old club; it’s gonna be fun.”
After a disappointing 2024 season, the Warriors are looking to bounce back and have made some significant roster changes headlined by the addition of Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris to replace star prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
With Nicoll-Klokstad to wear the No.1 jersey, Dally M Medallist and IRL Golden Boot winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves to the wing, while the Warriors will have a new look halves combination following the retirement of Shaun Johnson.
“I think this year we are focusing on just showcasing and expressing the type of talent that we have at our club,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“I am really excited for everyone to see all the hard work we have put in over the off season, the preseason, and all the learnings that we took out of last season too.
“It wasn’t a bad year for us last year, we missed out on a few games … losing by four points. I’m really excited for everyone to see what we’ve been doing in the preseason and watching us all put it together.”
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
New Zealand Warriors Top Tries of 2024
Nicoll-Klokstad will go into the season opener in Vegas with renewed confidence after playing for the Māori All Stars in last Saturday night’s 10-6 victory over their Indigenous rivals.
As a proud Māori man, Nicoll-Klokstad said it meant a lot to represent his culture and it was a surreal moment to achieve his first significant win of the year in the annual All Stars match.
“It is a totally different atmosphere. It’s electric, it’s passionate, both cultures coming together to celebrate one special night,” he said.
"It’s been amazing to be a part of and you know, you can see the amount of care and the way to play for your jersey and put your best foot forward from both teams.
“I was happy that we were able to come away with the win and cap off a really good week with the Māori.”
The emphasis on culture in camp enabled Nicoll-Klokstad to share his experience with the next generation of Māori players.
“I feel like I’m speaking for myself, as well, but for all the boys that are coming through and are watching us, just to be proud, to be a proud Māori and don’t take this opportunity for granted, it doesn’t come around often.
“The atmosphere and the electricity in the air, it’s something that you don’t get week in week out in NRL, so it is a special occasion to be part of and I am so proud to be Māori.”
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 1 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
