We are pleased to announce that PAPATOETOE QB and Offensive Coach, Joseph Taula will be travelling to Washington, to play Arena Footballl in AF2 for the the Tri Cities FEVER. Joseph has looked at many Arena Football opportunites over the last 8 years. Josephs went to the first Pacific Rim Training camp in Hawaii in 2000, then again in Sydney in 2001. The trip was made to the US to play in the first ever Team Downunder in 2002 and then again in 2003 with the Overstayers NZ/Aus exhibition game. 

 Joseph has invested time and money into this oppportunity and this will be the first time he takes part in a US AF2 team as part of the roster under the International Player status. A number of players travelled last year including PAPATOETOE WILDCAT WIlly Tuipolotu, who spent 6 months with the Bakersfield Blitz. Head Coach for the FEVER  says...

 “I am looking for men who know the game, are teachable and have great character” Coach Mike said.  “In this society, we need to find men with great character and who want to be role models on and off the field.  If I can find 25 men like that, it will be a wonderful season.”

We believe Joseph exemplifies what Coach is looking for and wish him all the best for the 6 - 8 months while away with the AF2. As a note, the stats for players who started in the AF2 that are now playing in AF1 are 1 in three. One in three players that are playing AF! started playing AF2.

We would also like to congratulate Offensive Gaurd Tyla Matia as he takes up a position on the team roster for the AF2 RIO GRANDE VALLEY El Dorados in 2008 Tyla, one of the more exceptional Lineman in the League, will be leaving in late March after he completes his post season duties with the Auckland Vulcans.

 Tyla spent last year with the Coventry Jets in the British American Football League with the hope to crack into the NFL Europe trials last June. Unfortunately the NFL Europe was wonud up last year and Tyla had to look for other opportunites. There were offers from other teams in Europe including the Graz Giants from Austria where Tyla played for the JETS. But it was the decision to travel to the US that clinched it and we are certain Tyla will making a very positive impression on his team and for the AF2 while over there.

 We wish him all the best and look forward to hearing more about his time in the US March 08 through to September.

Forget the "make like a tree" boys it was more like a "forest" out there as those trees came together and we did what we planned to do from day one...And that was win the KIWIBOWL 2008. We did it in style and we did it with finesse. We played like a team and conquered the mountain...

Ably lead by our captains and with so many reasons to play and win, defence shut METRO down and offense moved the ball up and down the field; passing and running. All and everyone played their part and contributed to what was the conclusion of a hard fought battle and season.

There are soo many people to thanks and we thank you all for your support this year. To all the wives, partners and "friends", we thank you for being so patient and to the families and mums and dads, we thank you so much as well. Amidst all our joy and celebration of winning the competition undefeated this year, there was a measure of sadnees with the news that # 98 Clema Vaka and METRO LION Jason Vaka #75 lost their mum on thursday 7th of February 2008.

This game and our win  are dedicated to the memory of Mrs Vaka and our thoughts are with Clema, Jason and their family during this difficult time.

We are the WILDCATS, we are CHAMPIONS and we are FAMILY. 

Wellington here we COME!!!!

There were plenty of red helmets in the Auckland Vulcans squad that beat a determined and ready Wellington Storm. The Vulcans were ready to strike with their passing game when after the first quater, Rhys Manukau was out with hamstring injuries. The Storm took advantage of the lack lusture start of the Vulcans and put 20 unanswered points by the half time whistle.

 Gathered in the changing rooms at the half, Coach Gambolati laid the law down and told us to dig deep as well as a passioned plea by QB Joseph Taula to play like the team we have been all year. By the end of the game the Vulcans had awoken, defence destroyed the Storm with pick after pick by Adam Felix and Albert Bernard and Offence burned up field with power runs by Sean Gatusea, and Alma Clayton.

The Vulcans hold the trophy for another year and learned not to underestimate your opposition...MVP was Joseph Taula, and Defensive player was Andrew Tiger Tugaga. An end to a great season and for the WILDCATS, and end to an undefeated season and the beginning of a dynasty...roll on 2009. 

It was a great night at the Mustang Saloon Bar and Grill as the WILDCATS descended upon New Market to celebrate what has been a terrific year and celebrate this by awarding some of those stand out individuals that helped make this year the success that itr was. Below is the list of prize winners in 08.

* MVP - Joseph Taula

* Best O Lineman - Tyler Matia

* Best O Backfield - Rhys Manukau

* O Most Improved - Halafihi Tai

* D Best Lineman - Emangi Suaesi / Bishop Fungavaka

* Best D Backfield - Niko Suaesi

* D Most Improved -  Fehoko Vea

* Supporter of the Year - Mr H Manukau

* Best and Fairest - Shane Reilly

The prizes were given out as well as medallions for each and every player that was apart of the sucess this year. Then a number of other prizes were awarded for...memorable moments through the year

* THE TUI YEAH RIGHT AWARD - Tui Tofilau

* CRACKER AWARD - Lewis (Mean Maori Mean) Sinclair

* CRACKED AWARD - Fehoko Vea (from Adam Felix)

* 911 Award - Albert Bernard - 9 intercepts - 1 Thunder Bowl Touchdown - 1 Ejection

The night was finished with a lovely dinner put on by our new sponsors, the MUSTANG SALOON and BAR, and we all celebrated late into thenight and the wee hours of the morning. We would like to thank Evan and Jamie from the MUSTANG SALOON and BAR for putting on a great event and really getting into the sprit of the celebrations.

The boys are doing well in the US and TYLER has made a great start with the team in Rio Grande Texas. Tyler is playing fullback and goalline, as well as nose on defence and special teams. I spoke with Tyler a little while agao and he is really enjoying the experience and is getting good game time. Their team had their first win on the weekend so are happy about that. Joe is playing special teams and is still looking for his break at the QB position. We wish them both well.We are sending TYLA and Joe a "remember home" pack which will contain

* Once were Warriors - Siones Wedding dvd

* Team T shirts-Team Photo-Team Medal and Trophy

* A tin of corned beef and some coconut cream

* Two lavalava - one for him and her!!

Will keep in touch with their progress

Just got an email from Joseph and he misses everybody but is doing well. He is playing wide receiver and Line Backer and is enjoying his tme in Washington. We finally have some ics from his last game and like Tyler it was there first win....Jo said he has heaps to bring back and has learned heaps from being there. Will keep everyone posted...

 *update* - Coach Mike Hold has Joeseph Taula as backup QB..

“Taula is a quarterback by trade but an athlete who can play any position,” Hold said of his international player. “It gives you an extra body. “If someone goes down, you can use him. [Taula] is versatile,” Hold said. “They have a lot of football leagues in New Zealand. I met him in Australia four years ago, so I was aware of him.”

Hold said that it is good to know that Taula will be around to back up Swogger and MIcco.

“If Taula is injured, we possibly could bring in another international player,” Hold said. “But [international players] have to apply for a particular visa and there may not be time to do that, but there is a pool of international players in the af2. Some teams have two of them, so we always could contact them for one.”

TULSA — The Tulsa Talons continued their bid for an undefeated season on Saturday night as ADT defensive player of the game Delenell Reid intercepted a Travis Cole pass with 26 seconds remaining to seal a 45-40 win over the Rio Grande Valley Dorados