There were heartwarming scenes in Brisbane on Sunday as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak celebrated his 200th NRL game with a victory and an impromptu performance of the Haka with fans.
The New Zealand Warriors caused the upset of Magic Round as they defeated reigning premiers Penrith Panthers at a sun-soaked Suncorp Stadium.
The Warriors’ victory was all the more impressive as they were without Shaun Johnson (pectoral) and Wayde Egan (concussion), with stand-in fullback Taine Tuaupiki stealing the show with a superb performance.
And the ‘Wahs’ mop-haired winger Watene-Zelezniak joined in with fans in the stands by performing the Haka in an incredible moment in Brisbane.
‘Great scenes we’re seeing here,’ Corey Parker said on Fox League.
‘Raw and emotional, 200th game for DWZ. The respect that friends and family are showing.
‘His teammates will do something very similar. Doesn’t matter how it comes the Haka, it gives you goosebumps.’
‘It’s pretty special,’ Watene-Zelezniak told Fox League.
‘You go out there and play your first game for yourself, make a dream come true. And for the rest of them, it’s for your family.
‘Especially my wife and kids, it’s pretty special. I kept telling everyone it’s my wife’s 200th too. She does a lot behind the scenes and I’m blessed to have a family like this and their support.
‘I’ve got my wife and three kids. And a million nieces and nephews. I got 43 tickets today. I needed more but I’m grateful for what I get.’
Despite turning in their sloppiest performance of the year, Penrith had the chance to send the game to extra time when they were awarded a ruck penalty in the last minute at Magic Round on Sunday.
