I want to share our flight back from Sydney last Thursday night. After a pleasant flight, we were a few minutes out of Auckland when the captain made the announcement that Auckland airport was closed because of storms and lightning, and we were being diverted to Christchurch. Once we had landed, we stayed on the plane while it was refuelled and after a couple of hours news came that Auckland was now open, so we had a flight home and after a perfect landing it was down the steps and on to a bus, all in driving rain. Then for some reason, the bus took ages to get to the terminal and blow me down the escalators where not working. So it was a very long flight, but fair enough, it has to be safety first. It's going to be a big night on Friday night at Manu Vatuvei Stadium, as Mt Smart has been renamed for the night, as the club pays homage to the man himself. There are various things planned to farewell Manu, including players wearing MV #115 on the jerseys, a guard of honour, big screen footage and messages from past and present players, and Manu being announced as part of our team in the No5 jersey, although his contract with Salford means he can not play. The crowd will also get BIG Manu faces, and inflatable hands. DSo come on sports fans, let’s pack the park and celebrate the career of a wonderful player and even better man. And don’t forget it is the Women in League round, so we have a women’s game and many activities, including having Harvey Norman as game day sponsor. Sir Peter Leitch KNZM, QSM Chief NZ Ambassador Rugby League World Cup 2017