The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys were thrilled to meet valued supporters and league-mad Kiwis during a club visit in New Zealand yesterday.
In town for the 2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines tournament kicking off on Saturday, the Cowboys visited Hibiscus Coast Rugby League Football Club, about 45 minutes’ drive north of Auckland.
While there, all 18 of the NRL Auckland Nines squad mingled with fans, signed autographs and posed for photos.
Auckland Nines skipper Gavin Cooper was presented with a Maori patu – a traditional weapon symbolising strength, courage and steadfastness – by Nga Puhi tribal elder Des Ripi, who welcomed Cooper with the Maori greeting, or hongi.
