Warriors fans are up there with some of the most passionate and loyal in the game.
As the Warriors' 2024 season wraps up after this weekend’s clash with the Cronulla Sharks, it might not have been our year again, but the 'Up The Wahs' movement has been absolutely legendary - and that’s a win in itself.
Even Coach Andrew Webster’s feeling it, saying in a press conference earlier this week: “Our fan base is unbelievable.”
“Selling out [games], the atmosphere, the crowd, when we go away we get amazing fans… because New Zealanders come and support the Warriors,” he added.
“They’ve shown how loyal they are through tough times. I don’t think every club can say that about their fans. We can!”
And that’s been proven over the last two years, in particular. Whether it’s on game day or in Kiwis' day-to-day lives, Warriors fans know how to back their boys.
From fan-made Warriors anthems to custom ‘Up The Wahs’ gear, here are the epic fan moments backing the fellas:
‘Up the Wahs’ slogan
Turns out the slogan we’ve all been firecly shouting first popped off after legend Shaun Johnson casually let it slip in a post-match interview. But as much as he kicked it off, it was the fans who picked it up and ran with it.
Everywhere you turn, whether it’s at a Mount Smart Stadium home game or a pub trip with the boys, ‘Up The Wahs’ can be heard spilling out of one passionate fan's mouth.
Even the little ones are getting involved, like this young girl who caught a bit of Wahs fever and found her chance to slip it into a TV interview last year.
Fan-made anthems
Other fans took their enthusiasm for the team and turned it into some bloody epic anthems that have been chanted at Wahs games ever since.
A Warriors version of the Kiwi classic ‘How Bizzare’ by OMC is a personal favourite.
The bloody hilarious version mentions members of the 2023 squad, the memorable fan dubbed “shoey guy,” One NZ’s CEO, and “the Joker”.
Even Drax project got in behind the boys, improvising their own Wahs-themed anthem to some hyped-up fans in Perth.
And we still haven’t got “he-he-ha cheeseburger ba-ra-ra, up-up-the Wahs” outta our heads.
Custom Wahs gear
Earlier this year, a clever fella turned a vintage Warriors jersey into what might just be the best piece of kit we’ve seen.
The Māori craftsman goes by Creative Taro on Instagram and showed off his 2014 heritage jersey turned into a slick bucket hat.
Teaching 'em young
Other fans have celebrated the Wahs' wins and used them as valuable lessons for the younger generation.
Principal and hard-out Wahs fan Mark Harrop rocked up to school following the Warriors' win over the Panthers in May to tell the primary-aged kids that “resilience” is at the heart of the Warriors game.
How far will Warriors fans go?
One of our own here at The Rock joined a heap of dedicated fans on the ‘Wahs express’ Air NZ flight from Christchurch to Auckland for last year’s NRL finals week two game.
It was a truly eye-opening experience as to how far Wahs fans take their support for the team - legit, 32,000 feet up in the air!
'Up the Wahs' takes Glastonbury
And we don’t just keep our support here in Aotearoa, we take it global, baby. Just last month, Kiwis were buzzing over spotting a Warriors flag flying loud and proud at the centre stage of Shania Twain’s Glastonbury set, of all places.
The legendary green and white tiki head stood out among a sea of other genius flags.
Girlfriend of the year
One wahine found an epic way to show her man's undying love for the team during their Bali trip.
Usually, pool decorations in Bali villas are reserved for the soppy stuff like marriage proposals. Not for this couple, nah, Christchurch gal Francesca Barrett switched it up with an 'Up The Wahs' set-up that left her man, Scott Lopdell, chuffed as.
There ya have it! As Webby said, what other team can say their fans are this die-hard?
Only 3 words left to say… UP THE WAHS
