The New Zealand Warriors could hardly believe their luck in enemy league territory -- no Sonny Bill Williams and nearly 3000 Kiwis given free entry to roar them on.
The Bulldogs' promotion to allow free entry to fans showing a New Zealand, Tongan, Samoan, or Fijian passport drew in 2893 non-paying fans who packed the southeastern corner of ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park last night.
"I think my cousin was one of them. It was a good buzz hearing all the Kiwis and islanders, you could really hear them," said Warriors youngster Malo Solomona, who scored a hat-trick of tries in just his third National Rugby League (NRL) match as the visitors won 40-22.
Williams came up with the Polynesian promotion, which was embraced by Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg.
But the Kiwis and Bulldogs star was ruled out before the match because of a back injury, leaving him sitting idly as 12,973 fans watched the Warriors take charge and score two of their first three tries in the vocal corner.
Greenberg today said the club would continue with such promotions, despite vocal opposition from some Bulldogs supporters who felt it discriminated against other ethnic groups.
Warriors captain Steve Price admitted to mixed feelings about the Bulldogs' show of charity.
"It was a good promotion, but the club's put themselves into a position now where they're going to have to continue to do things like that.
"Obviously the loyal supporters felt a little bit upset by being left out.
"It's going to be interesting to see what they do, to make the loyal supporters feel that they're being looked after as well.
"It was great, a smallish crowd and those people may not have come if they weren't let in for free. Most of them were supporting us which was pretty good."
Solomona (21) was still pinching himself afterwards.
The nephew of former Warrior Se'e Solomona and part of a proud Auckland league family, he showed his tryscoring knack with 15 tries in 21 matches for the Auckland Vulcans last year.
"It was good to get one try, but three was a blessing. I'm just happy to have made my debut and play first grade. It's a dream come true."
Now he just hopes his league hero Manu Vatuvei, still sidelined with complications from a fractured bone in his leg, can return to the field soon.
Coach Ivan Cleary said Vatuvei would be reassessed this week but a return date was uncertain.
"I still look up to Manu, he still teaches me a lot of things. That would be really good to play alongside him, and just keep my spot, that's my main goal," Solomona said.
