Edward Kosi

Edward is another example of the big winger the Vodafone Warriors have specialised in producing in the modern era.

Coming through the club's development system he played Jersey Flegg Cup (under-20) as recently as 2019 while also having experience turning out for the NRL team's reserve grade side in the Canterbury Cup.

An impressive offseason saw the Mangere East junior named to represent the Vodafone Warriors at the 2020 NRL Nines in Perth before he lined up in the Canterbury Cup's opening round against Newcastle in March. It was set to be a vital season in his development as a potential first grader only for the Covid-19 pandemic to force the cancellation of the second-tier competition.

Edward was back with the Vodafone Warriors when the 2020-2021 offseason training programme started in November and travelled to Australia with the extended squad in January, first stop Tamworth and then Terrigal.

On a development contract, he remained on the Central Coast to train with the NRL squad and prepare for football with feeder club Redcliffe in the Intrust Super Premiership in Queensland. He started well with three strong performances for the Dolphins as he chased his goal of an NRL debut.

The call came but in the most dramatic and unexpected way, when he was given little more than an hour's notice that he would be lining up for the Vodafone Warriors in their eighth-round clash against the North Queensland Cowboys. It came about when the experienced David Fusitu'a was a late defection with a troublesome hamstring injury.

It meant the Vodafone Warriors had an extremely young centre combination on the right edge. While Kosi was making his debut at the age of 22, centre Rocco Berry (19) had played his first NRL match just a week earlier.

In becoming Vodafone Warrior #260, Kosi immediately impressed in a full-on display which saw him carry the ball 16 times and make 128 metres in helping the side to a 24-20 win.