Jazz Tevaga in action for the Warriors. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Former NZ Warriors stalwart Jazz Tevaga probably shouldn't expect a warm greeting from everyone at Mt Smart this week, when he returns for the first time with his new Manly Sea Eagles outfit.
After nine seasons with the Auckland NRL club, the forward utility - one of the game's best - learned his contract would not be extended to a 10th after last season and departed across the Tasman to continue his career elsewhere.
With 138 games for the club, the Warriors fan favourite was also a popular teammate and enjoyed his finest season in 2018, when he was named Dally M Interchange Player of the Year, but he may have a freezing reception in store, when he runs out onto Go Media Stadium on Friday.
"I hope they all boo him and rip into him, and put him off his game, ha ha," offered Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett.
"Jazz obviously had a long stint at this club - a local boy, although he's from Christchurch he tells me, and self-made he reckons.
"Hopefully, they give it to him and put him off his game."
Unlike some sports, where departed heroes are often warmly received back with tributes and fond memories, the Warriors will likely be all business, as they chase two much-needed competition points in their first home appearance of the season.
"I hope it's a good [reception] for Jazz," mused coach Andrew Webster. "I hope he plays really well, but he gets flogged, that's all I want.
"Love Jazz, the team loves Jazz and he had a big impact on this club, but the moment we step onto the field, he'll be an opponent.
"I hope he enjoys coming home, I hope the fans give him a good reception, but I hope he's on the wrong end of the score this week."
Tevaga, 29, has begun his season better than his old team, starting at hooker, as the Sea Eagles overwhelmed North Queensland Cowboys 42-12, scoring all their points, before the visitors grabbed a couple of consolation tries in the dying moments.
Manly appeared in mid-season form and will present a daunting challenge for a Warriors side still smarting from their 30-8 loss to Canberra Raiders at Las Vegas.
One player especially looking forward to the contest is utility Dylan Walker, whose one-two punch with Tevaga off the interchange bench saw the pair dubbed as 'Bald Brothers'.
"I'm close with Jazz and keep in contact with him all the time," said Walker. "He's got a new self-proclaimed nickname - he calls himself the Bald Eagle now.
"I'm sure people will come to cheer him on, he's been a fan favourite here for the last 10 years.
"I messaged him to congratulate him on a good game on the weekend, I thought he played alright. I'm going to pump his tyres up and then slowly release them, when it comes to the game."
When the Sea Eagles visited Auckland last April, the result was a pulsating 22-22 Golden Point draw, with Warriors veteran Shaun Johnson cleaned out, while attempting a two-point field goal in the final seconds, then slotting the penalty to force extra time.
Ironically, Tevaga scored his last try for the Warriors that day.
They also lost to Manly in Sydney last August, as part of a four-game slump that finally eliminated them from playoff contention.
