- NFL rookie Tyler Manoa will sound Viking horn
- Contracted with LA Raiders, yet to play a game
- NRL club wanted a player with Pasifika heritage
- Supporters questioned decision on social media
Bemused footy fans have slammed the ’embarrassing’ decision from the Canberra Raiders to approach NFL rookie Tyler Manoa to sound the club’s iconic Viking horn ahead of their clash against the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
It comes after UFC boss Dana White knocked back an earlier invitation to attend the NRL season opener due to a prior commitment.
Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed at their stadium walk-through that defensive tackle Manoa – who has Samoan heritage – has agreed to take part in the pre-game festivities.
Manoa, 25, is yet to play an NFL game following College stints at UCLA and the University of Arizona.
‘Who? What happened to President Trump and Dana [White],’ asked one fan on X.
A second posted on Facebook: ‘Surely they could have got a bigger name than that? How embarrassing.’
Footy fans have slammed the decision from the Raiders to approach NFL rookie Tyler Manoa (pictured) to sound Canberra’s iconic Viking horn ahead of the clash against the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
One supporter spoke for many after posting on Facebook ‘surely they could have gotten a bigger name than that, how embarrassing’
UFC boss Dana White knocked back an earlier invitation from the Raiders to attend the NRL season opener and sound the Viking horn due to a prior commitment
A third weighed in with: ‘Not even a name. He hasn’t played a game yet.’
Canberra were keen to involve a player of Pasifika heritage given the diversity of their own playing squad – and extended the invitation to Manoa.
Matt Timoko, Joe Tapine, Seb Kris and Kaeo Weekes are all regular first graders with Maori heritage, while Josh Papalii and Simi Sasagi have Samoan roots.
When UFC boss White was unavailable, the Raiders were hopeful of securing a player from the NFL team that inspired Canberra’s nickname when the club entered the NSWRL in 1982.
They have spent $10,000 on a replica of their huge Viking horn, which is a fixture of their home games at GIO Stadium, because the original was too delicate and large to be transported over to the US.
Club greats Jarrod Croker and Mal Meninga – who have sounded the horn before – were options, with both in Sin City as ambassadors this week.
It is understood chief executive Furner was the mastermind behind securing Manoa, whom the Raiders approached partly because of his rugby background and Pasifika heritage.
‘We’ve always had a proud history of Polynesian players at our club,’ Furner said.
Prop Josh Papalii applauded the Raiders for selecting a player who reflects the club’s strong Pasifika contingent
The Raiders are now hard at work to find a jersey big enough for Manoa, who stands 196cm tall and weighs 141kg.
Manoa, 25, joined the LA Raiders in late 2024 following a stint in the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.
Veteran Canberra prop Papalii applauded the Raiders for selecting a player who reflected the club’s strong Pasifika contingent.
‘It’s very special. It’s my identity as a Samoan and to see a fellow Samoan from Vegas it’s a special milestone not only for the Canberra Raiders but the Las Vegas Raiders and Samoan people in general,’ he said.
‘It makes me feel a lot more comfortable being in Vegas. Hopefully we can catch up after a good win.’
