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#58 Odell Manuel
Odell is a security guard in the Rockhampton area of Queensland, Australia...
General Warriors Where Are They Now 2026
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Odell is a security guard in the Rockhampton area of Queensland, Australia...
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#59 Jason Death
Great news is that a piece was just done on Jason so we know exactly what he is up to but its the same thing he's been doing since our last three updates. Jason owns and operates a gym called Concept 42 in Mona Vale, Sydney, Australia...
Where are they now? Former Warriors fan favourite Jason Death
Brendon EganMarch 8, 2026
Aussie Jason Death was a fan favourite at the Warriors, winning over the Kiwi supporters during his three seasons in Auckland.
So much so, there was even a ‘Death Row’ section at Mt Smart with fans wearing Grim Reaper costumes.
The hooker-lock was with the Warriors from 1999-01, helping them to their first finals appearance in his last season at the club.
Death played 201 NRL games, starting with the star-studded Canberra Raiders and also had stints with competition new boys, North Queensland, and South Sydney – returning after a controversial exile.
The Sydney-based 54-year-old speaks to Brendon Egan in this week’s ‘Where are they now?’.
What are you up to post rugby league?
I’ve got a gym in the Northern Beaches of Sydney and I’ve had that for 12 years now. It’s a high intensity level training gym called Concept 42. I’m owner-operator. I do half of the classes. There’s 30 classes per week, so I do about 15, teaching them and get them through it and all the exercises.
How did an Aussie bloke end up in Auckland at the Warriors in 1999?
I was at the Cowboys and I had one year under Graham Lowe. He took us in 1996 and I had two more years where Mark Graham was assistant coach. When he got the first grade job to coach in New Zealand he brought me across. New Zealand, I was excited. A new country. One team, one country, as such. It was good.
Who dubbed you ‘Doctor Death’?
It was Gary Belcher actually the fullback for Canberra, who played for Australia and also Queensland. We had the Daily Telegraph [newspaper] over here in Australia and there was a doctor up in Northern Territory and he was doing euthanasia and on the front page of The Telegraph it said ‘Doctor Death’ and he brought it to training one day and said, mate, that’s your nickname, ‘Doctor’. It stuck from there.
Warriors fans embraced it, forming their own ‘Death Row’ section at Mt Smart and dressing up as the Grim Reaper. How did that make you feel?
It was just surreal, to tell you the truth. I got [Warriors’] Player of the Year in ‘99 and that was born in 2000, so they had all the guys in the Grim Reaper gear when I played. The Mad Butcher had the Mad Butcher’s Lounge [at Mt Smart] and I’d always have a chat in that and they’d all come in there and I’d tell them, this was after the game, what our plan was and what went on in the game and told the stories behind it. The wins and the losses and the reason why we did and what happened.
Why do you think Warriors fans loved you so much?
It was just because I had a go and put my body on the line and just loved playing footy. I was lucky enough to play with Stacey Jones and Joe Vagana and Ali Lauitiiti and they were really good players.
How much easier did Stacey Jones make the game for you?
He was just a legend. We became really close. When I left the Warriors he gave me his No. 7 New Zealand jumper. We were pretty close, Stace and I, and I loved playing with him. We used to go fishing all the time together in the Hauraki Gulf. It was so cool. I was lucky to play with a few good halfbacks like Ricky Stuart, Stacey Jones. He’s up there definitely.
What did it mean to earn the Warriors’ player of the year award in 1999, your first season at the club?
It was a huge honour. For one team, one country, I was lucky enough to get the award. It blew me out of the water actually.
You played for four NRL clubs. Which one meant the most to you?
I’ve got different feelings for all of the clubs. The Canberra Raiders, I was lucky enough to win a premiership in 1994. Then, the Cowboys, we were up against it in 1996-97-98. Then, the Warriors I was lucky enough to pick up player of the year. At the Rabbitohs I got to meet [co-owner] Russell Crowe and do all that kind of stuff. They’ve all got their special moments. There’s not one that sticks out at the highest.
What do you consider your highlight with the Warriors?
We made the semis for the first time [in 2001]. We played [top qualifiers] Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium, so it was just so good to be there. We knew we had a team to do it. Obviously the next year they got to the GF [grand final]. It was nice to be a part of a club that was building to getting to the grand final the following year. I went out to the game actually in 2002 [as a fan]. Stacey Jones had a fantastic game in that grand final, 2002 against the Roosters. Like a blinder. It was a nice to be a part of the building of that team as such.
Why did you head back to Australia in 2002?
I had another year to go on my contract, but [Warriors coach] Daniel Anderson said they’re bringing in PJ Marsh and said, ‘Mate, I’m going to be honest with you’. He coached him at Parramatta in the under-21s a few years before. He said, ‘You’ll be playing a lot more reserve grade’ and then the opportunity came to go to Souths for a two-year deal rather than just one with the Warriors. Just to have another year on my footy career, which was great, so I made the move to Souths.
You started your career with the star-studded Canberra Raiders. What was it like training and playing alongside the likes of Mal Meninga, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, and Bradley Clyde?
I was playing with my childhood heroes essentially. I was so lucky, so fortunate. What I did learn is the game is easier because everyone did their job. The game was faster and harder, but it was easier to play because you only had to do your own job. You didn’t have to do two or three or other players’ jobs. They just make you look good because of the quality of player you’re around. They made you look like a better player.
What sticks out most about Canberra’s 1994 grand final win over the Bulldogs?
I got to sit on the bench, so I was fully dressed and ready to go. That was just in case [starting hooker] Steve Walters got injured. I didn’t actually get on as such, but I was still part of the team and the squad. The rings weren’t in then, they came in 1995, so I got one of the medallions you hang around your neck, which is fantastic. Especially doing the lap around the ground it’s unbelievable, it’s next level. As you can see the Brisbane Broncos winning the GF last year, 2025, it just makes you so happy because you’ve worked 11 months for that one day, essentially.
You were renowned for your tackling and upending the bigger blokes. Where did that toughness come from?
Dean Lance was my hero when I was growing up when I was 13, 14, 15. He was a great tackler for the Canberra Raiders. He wore the head gear and had shoulder pads. I always wanted to be like him and just smashing blokes. I just worked on my technique and made sure I got my head out of the road. I just loved the collision, if that makes sense.
What opposition players did you most enjoy putting the big hits on?
Gorden Tallis. I loved playing against Gordie. He was all arms and legs, but tough to pull down. He’d go hard. Joey [Andrew] Johns, you used to have to watch him. He was so strong and his defence was so good. He was a great defender as well. Freddy [Brad] Fittler, I loved playing against Freddy because he did that big left foot step and I’d always say, ‘left foot step, left foot step, watch it, watch it’, rather than the ball.
Did you suffer many injuries during your career?
A broken jaw and broken thumb, they’re the two major injuries I had. I was very, very lucky...They talk about the average first grader and it’s something like 37 games, that’s on average what a first grader plays. Something ridiculously low and I got to play 201.
How much of New Zealand did you get to see while you were with the Warriors?
We went down to Queenstown for a couple of end of season trips. We had the best time down there in the snow slopes and obviously the night life down there was good at the end of the season. Hauraki Gulf and the fishing was fantastic. I had the best time fishing with Stace.
You played in Souths’ first match back in the NRL in 2002 after a two year absence. What were the emotions like at the Sydney Football Stadium that night?
The feeling, I get goosebumps now. When the team ran out the noise they made it was phenomenal. I reckon there was about 70% Rabbitohs and 30% Roosters [fans in the crowd] and they just roared and rang this bell. It was unbelievable.
What did you do after retiring from the NRL after the 2004 season?
I worked for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their sponsorship-marketing team because I was good with people and also with the sponsors. Then I got out of that and went into a printing company. I was working for a printing company, then set my own up. That went pear-shaped, so I then went into fitness and PT [personal training] and now I’ve set up my own gym. I’ve built my clientele up and it’s been 12 years. I go around the local [league] clubs and if they come in and do a 42-minute session because it’s boxing, high intensity, high cardio, so it’s really good before the start of the season and it gives them something different to do. They love coming in, which is good.
How much NRL do you watch these days?
I watched all the games in Las Vegas here on Sunday [in the opening round]. I love it. [Penrith coach] Ivan Cleary is my brother in law, so we go to a lot of Panthers games as well. I occasionally go to a Manly game because I’m on the Northern Beaches and I go to some of the Souths games out at Olympic Stadium. When Stacey Jones comes over to Manly I catch up with him after the game. It’s so good. He’s a champion. [Former Warrior and Kiwis player] Gene Ngamu lives up here on the Northern Beaches. We caught up one time after a Manly-Warriors game. It was good to see all the players. I got to meet them all, all the new boys. It was so good.
You played under both Graham Lowe and Mark Graham. Who was toughest on you?
Mark Graham, definitely. Lowey was a bit more tactical, ‘Righty oh, tackle hard, run hard, this is what we’ve got to do’, but Mark he goes, ‘Mate, you’ve got to make sure you put 100% in every time’. Every time you walk across that white line you’ve got to give your best shot’.
Mark was very matter of fact, so this is what you’ve got to do and this is how you’ve got to do it. It was good. He had high expectations of you, being fit and strong and doing your job essentially.
What does an Australian like yourself make of State of Origin coming to Auckland for the first time next year?
I love the Kiwis because they love it. They love rugby league. Fantastic. I think it’s a really good idea because we’re trying to get a second team in New Zealand, so that helps momentum, which would be fantastic. It will be great.
You work as a personal trainer and in the fitness industry. Did that part of your game always come easily as a player?
I loved it and being up the front. I used to do extras because being a hooker you have to do so much running. I’d do an extra run during the week when we played footy during the season. I wanted to be super-fit and to get to the ball all the time.
The Post
www.thepost.co.nz
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#60 Terry Hermansson
Terry Hermansson has been working for the Lyttleton Wharf Container Terminal for the last 16 years. Terry states this in the opening minute of a podcast he did in 2024...
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#61 Monty Betham
Betham's whereabouts are well known with him acting as a Warriors Ambassador, SG Ball Assistant Coach and his Sky TV commitments.
Monty was interviewed by Laura McGoldrick on his own show Once Were Warriors...
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#62 Cliff Beverley
Cliff is still working with Neill Cropper and Co Ltd as well as being an ambassador for NZ Disabilities Rugby League. Neill Cropper are an importer based in Auckland who import Bundaberg Ginger Beer among other things...
Presentation - Neill Cropper & Co Limited
Services - Wholesale - Food - Wholesale - ImportersNeill, Cropper & Company is a leading New Zealand distributor & brand ambassador of food and beverage products. As we continue to grow our business, we seek new partnerships that complement our existing portfolio, route to market and customer base. We offer a full range of importing services for our overseas suppliers. Food and beverage import and distribution company. Importers of food products for consumer retail specialising in ready to drink beverages canned fruit and vegetables canned salmon Asian sauces and recipe ingredients. General Line Groceries Wholesaling
Older photo from the PDRLNZ Facebook page but Cliff is still very much involved as an ambassador...
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#63 Peter Lewis
We have never been able to track down Peter Lewis but I have managed to find his Facebook profile and sent him a friend request. He appears to be living in Sydney, Australia and maybe a steel fabricator but hopefully we can get some confirmation on that if I can get a hold of him.
IF ANYONE HAS AN UPDATE FOR PETER LEWIS PLEASE LET US KNOW...
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#64 Wairangi Koopu
Unless you have been living under a rock you will know that Wairangi is currently being charged with Class A drug possession and supply and is awaiting his court case where he has entered no plea.
Speaking to industry insiders about this I can tell you he has been basically blacklisted from doing media and its doubtful he will ever be allowed back unless he is cleared of his charges. He posted around Christmas looking for work on his Instagram though it may have been a joke.
No doubt we will hear more as his case is heard...
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#65 Francis Meli
When Meli featured on Monty Betham's Once Were Warriors show in 2023 he stated he was involved in community work and coaching league.
I havent been able to confirm anything real recent bar him being involved in a couple youth programs called Hine Toa and Tama Toa. He was also coaching at Glenora Bears, Marist Saints, Kelston College and Auckland Rugby League. From what I can gather he is a youth worker for the NZ Police which will be almost impossible to confirm due to the nature of the job. Below is an article from 2018...
FRANCIS MELI
Once a hot-stepping, hard-hitting, try-scoring winger for the Warriors in the early 2000s, Meli's life has slowed down in recent times.
After retiring in 2014 after a long stint in the Super League, Meli took some time off to "clear the head" before diving headfirst back into the game he loves.
Meli is employed by Police, and travels around schools speaking to students and running pathway programmes to encourage them to strive toward their goals.
He is also coaching the Kelston senior rugby league team – who are currently undefeated – under the watchful eye of sports coordinator and foundation Warrior Duane Mann.
"It was my partner who actually encouraged me to put my hand up at a grassroots level and try to give back. Rugby league gave me so much for so long, [so] it's nice to be able to give back through coaching and player development," he said.
"I've always been passionate about grassroots footy. This is where it all started for me. My goal is to of course progress into the professional coaching ranks at some stage and in October I will finish my final coaching course.
"I feel I have a lot to give in terms of my knowledge of the game, the fundamentals especially."
Stuff
www.stuff.co.nz
IF ANYONE HAS A RECENT UPDATE FOR FRANCIS MELI PLEASE LET US KNOW
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#66 Clinton Toopi
Toopi is working as a NRL Community Program Manager delivering programs like State of Mind and Voice Against Violence. He still resides on the Gold Coast...
NRL Social Impact Ambassadors
Clinton Toopi
Fast facts
- Born in Stratford, New Zealand and raised in Auckland, New Zealand
- Debuted with the NZ Warriors in 1999
- Played with the NZ Warriors for eight seasons
- Played in the 2002 NRL Grand Final against Sydney Roosters
- Played for the Gold Coast Titans from 2010-2011
- Played more than 150 career games
- Captained the NZ māori team in 2010
- Played for the New Zealand Kiwis from 2000-2007
- Represented New Zealand in more than 20 international games
- Retired from professional rugby league in 2011
- NRL Ambassador from 2016-2018
- Current NRL Community Program Manager - State of Mind
Fun facts
- Favourite NRL team: Vodafone Warriors and Gold Coast Titans
- Career ambition as a kid: A professional NRL player
- Favourite food: Anything healthy and tasty with the odd sweet treat (Coles choc cookies)
- Spirit animal: Cuddly Bear
- What's on TV (when the footy isn't on): A program that will inspire me
Biography
Starting junior league at just seven years old, Clinton Toopi was introduced to the game by his father, a local junior league coach, playing for the Glen Innes Falcons, Richmond Rovers, Mt Wellington Warriors and the Otahuhu Leopards and has loved the sport ever since.Born and raised in New Zealand, Clinton debuted with the NZ Warriors in 1999 and completed eight seasons with the side, including the 2002 NRL grand final clash against the Sydney Roosters.
Inspired most by the seniors at his local junior club, Mt Wellington Warriors, Clinton challenged himself to play with the passion and aggression they showed, giving him the edge he needed to make the NRL.
After playing eight seasons with the Warriors, Clinton tested his skills in rugby union, before returning to rugby league in 2010, playing for the Gold Coast Titans in 2011.
In 2016 Clinton was inducted as a NRL Ambassador after his existing involvement in the Queensland State of Mind program and is now in the role of NRL Community Program Manager, Managing the NRL Program, State of Mind.
"I have a genuine passion to empower and drive change in mental health and wellbeing, through our NRL State of Mind program. As program deliverers we get to engage and connect with our communities, normalise help seeking behaviours, start healthy conversations, reduce stigma around mental health, create safe spaces and identify leaders within our grassroots clubs and local schools. to move us forward with mental health and wellbeing at the forefront. I love that our game provides these amazing programs that are delivering powerful messages of hope and change." said Clinton.
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#67 Carl Doherty
Carl has worked for his families business before even playing for the Warriors and now owns it. Euro Optic imports glasses such as Adidas sunglasses...
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#68 Robbie Mears
Robbie states in an interview with Monty Betham last year that he is still a police officer and also involved with junior development with the Penrith Panthers.
He was the Penrith Panthers Harold Matthews coach in 2025 but I cant confirm he is still involved this year. Robbie spent several years coaching within the Wests Tigers pathways system...
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#69 John Simon
As with our last update on former captain John Simon he still owns the Subway in Kiama and runs the non profit organisation Australian Aboriginal Child and Family Services.
The Subway he owns is located at 106 Terralong St, Kiama NSW 2533, Australia in the Kiama Centrepoint building.
The not for profit he started with his partner is described below for the organisations website...
AACAFS is an Aboriginal led, managed, self-determining not-for-profit organisation. Established in 2021, AACAFS purpose is to support, care for and protect vulnerable and at-risk Aboriginal children and families.
Our focus is improving the welfare and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people and families through the empowerment that comes from self-determination and culturally responsible support.
About Us — Australian Aboriginal Child and Family Services
www.aacafs.org.au
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#70 Boycie Nelson
From what I can gather Boycie is still a police officer based in Rosebank, Auckland with the pic below being taken in 2018.
He is also the head Coach of the Northcote Rugby Womens team...
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#71 Talite Liavaʻa
Talite has been a firefighter for over 20 years now and has moved from Palmerston North to Devonport, Auckland where he is the Station Officer...
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#72 Scott Pethybridge
Pethybridge was coaching Narrabeen Sharks A Grade team when we visited in 2015. From what I could find he did a bit more coaching with Craig Gower at Peninsula Seagulls which is a club his father Gary Pethybridge help found. We werent able to confirm any new coaching roles. He's also been involved with racehorses but cant find anything new on this since 2017...
IF ANYONE HAS A RECENT UPDATE OF SCOTT PETHYBRIDGE PLEASE LET US KNOW...
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#73 Ivan Cleary
Just in case you have been living under a rock or only just awoken from a long coma ole Uncle Ivan is Head Coach of the Penrith Panthers...
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#74 Matt Spence
Retired to his hometown Turangi in the Bay of Plenty and works as a youth worker in the area. This is mentioned in an article from 2009 but I have had it confirmed from a friend that lives in Turangi who says he works in the Waihi Beach area...
Star Spence in roving Dambusters role
Rotorua Daily Post13 Jul, 2009 05:00 PM
There's no doubt Matthew Spence's footballing career has brought him full circle, back to its starting point on the southern shores of Lake Taupo.
A talented teen, Spence made the New Zealand under-17 selection while playing for the Turangi Dambusters, the Bay of Plenty District Rugby League's southern-most affiliated club.
Now, almost half a lifetime later, Spence is back in the Dambusters' colours after a speckled career which saw him play 68 games in Australia's NRL with Parramatta Eels (1995-98), Western Suburbs (1999) and finally the Warriors in 2000.
Injury plagued the second-rower's top-flight fortunes and he will always be remembered as the first player to be dealt with under the NRL's new drug policy. He earned a nine-week stand-down in 1999 for failing a pre-season test which showed remains of recreational drugs.
Those highs and lows are certainly well behind the quietly spoken 33-year-old, who has been acting as a player/coach for the Dambusters in the Bay of Plenty premier competition this year.
Working with youth is his vocation now. He's a solo father of two boys aged under 7 and many of his football side are teenagers.
"Football and a bit of hunting, that's the main reason I moved back home, just to relax a bit," Spence said shortly after his side's 36-14 loss to Pikiao in Rotorua on Saturday.
"I kept away from football when the kids were young but now they're playing junior football."
Spence has been back in Turangi since he retired from professional football just over seven years ago but he still displays the nose of someone who has played at the higher levels.
(abridged)
Star Spence in roving Dambusters role - NZ Herald
Get the latest local and provincial Rotorua sports news and results including rugby, racing, cricket and more from the Rotorua Daily Post
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#75 Scott Coxon
We've never really had an update on Scott apart from some coaching roles in the Newcastle area.
Managed to get a reply from him on messenger. He is a Superintendent at Port of Newcastle and coaching his sons Wests Newcastle U17 team...
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#76 Mark Tookey
Mark is employed by the NZ Warriors and NRL and runs the clubs One NZ Warriors Logan Academy in Logan City. He explains his job really well in a podcast he did last month with Roo and Hammer...
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#77 David Myles
Myles founded company Gutter Knight which has franchises all over Australia supplying and installing gutter protection products and services.
Myles is also the North Queensland Cowboys Board Chairman...
David
Board memberDavid is a previous NQ Toyota Cowboys player from 2003-05 who was part of the club's first finals appearances. He was the sole try scorer in the club's first home semi final win over the Broncos in 2004 and finished his Rugby League career in the NRL in 2007 after 120 first grade games.
He is the founder and CEO of Gutter Knight Australia which is Australia's largest Gutter Guard company. The company has expanded to over 30 locations across the country.
As well as business and leadership skills, being an ex NRL player, David brings real Rugby League experience to the Board.
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