NRL 2019: Manly Sea Eagles vow to help Christchurch after terror attacks

Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman along with coach Des Hasler.
Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman along with coach Des Hasler. Photo credit: AAP

The Manly Sea Eagles promise to help Christchurch, after the horrific terror attacks that rocked the city last Friday.

Fifty people lost their lives, when shooters opened fire on mosques at Deans Ave and Linwood Ave.

The victims' ages range from 3-77, while dozens more remain in hospital, some in critical condition.

Manly, who have taken home games to the Garden City over the past two years, will play the Warriors at AMI Stadium on March 30 and Sea Eagles chief executive Lyall Gorman says the match will still go ahead.

The Sea Eagles plan to arrive three days before the fixture to assist the community in any way they can.

"At this stage, the game will go ahead," Gorman told the Sydney Morning Herald. "The [local league officials] were meeting with the deputy mayor on Saturday, not about the actual game, but about how we could add value over there.

"We want to get over there and embrace the people of Christchurch. They're like a sister city to us.

"We all hurt on Friday and we're still hurting. We want to get over there and try to lift their spirits a little bit.

"We were always going over to do community work. That might change in its tone and texture now.

"We need to let the dust settle the next couple of days. I'm close to the mayor [Lianne Dalziel], she's a delightful lady and we want to give them time.

Martin Tapau.
Martin Tapau. Photo credit: AAP

"[Coach Des Hasler] texted me at 9pm on Friday, asking what we can do over there. The game will happen."

The Sea Eagles have many NZ-born players in their squad, including Lloyd Perrett, Taniela Paseka, Toafofoa Sipley and Martin Taupau.  

Gorman added that there would be no extra security at the match.

"We won't panic," Gorman said. "We'll remain respectful and work closely with the people on the ground over there, and try to make a difference and lift the spirits.

"The people of Christchurch have come back before [from earthquakes], but how do you comprehend this and what has happened there on Friday?

"The footy teams will do the right thing over there and play some good footy. We'll support a wonderful city and a wonderful community."

The Warriors are currently on top of the NRL ladder, after their 40-6 win over the Bulldogs in Auckland, while the Sea Eagles are near the bottom, after their 20-6 loss to the Wests Tigers.

Newshub.