NRL finals: Warriors chant ‘Up the Wahs’ takes New Zealand by storm as footy team chases grand final glory – and NBA legend Steve Kerr even got involved

A new slogan has swept New Zealand as the Warriors attempt to win their first ever NRL premiership, and even NBA legend Steve Kerr is backing the rugby league team.

The Warriors are in the middle of their best season in twenty years, their mesmerizing football casting a spell over their hordes of supporters as they dare to dream of big final glory.

The club finished in the top four this season, putting them in a strong position heading into the final, and the fan base is fully behind Andrew Webster in their quest for the top prize.

And the slogan ‘Up the Wahs’ has taken over the sporting landscape in New Zealand, with songs reworked to make room for the slogan, supermarket signs with the message and beer cans plastered with the three words.

But where did it come from? According to the New Zealand Herald, the phrase may have come from Australia, where footy fans dubbed the team the “Wah Wahs” for their tendency to whine.

‘Up the Wahs’ has taken the NRL team’s lead to win the premiership

Others claim legendary halfback Shaun Johnson was the mastermind behind the slogan.

Gerard Cronin, a hardcore fan of the footy club, turned the slogan into an anthem by transforming OMC’s Kiwi classic How Bizzare into “Up the Wahs.” The song also features shout-outs to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and the team’s massive forwards.

“A lot of people who don’t like the word (Wahs) still enjoy the song and people who are fans of other teams have also gotten into the song,” he said.

“It really came out of nowhere… something just clicked in my head.”

Even Steve Kerr is involved in the club’s incredible final.

The 57-year-old, who coaches the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, was asked his opinion on the New Zealand Warriors final, to which he replied: “Up the Wahs.”

The team’s success in 2023 has seen shirt sales skyrocket, with retro jerseys snapped up in droves, while a brewery has begun making an ‘Up the Wahs’ lager. The first batch sold out quickly.

“On April Fools, we posted that we were making an offer to buy the Warriors and we would move them to the Waikato,” said Damon Youdale, head of marketing for Good George Brewing.

NBA legend and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr agrees with the rallying cry

“A few people fell for it and others understood it was a bit ironic.

“We could tell our audience loved the Warriors and I think there were some die-hard pans in the office as well. That planted the seed and it’s clearly one of the best seasons in a long time.”

The Warriors play against reigning champions the Panthers in Penrith on Saturday night.