While he admits there is pressure filling Ashford\u2019s shoes, Vete told the Herald that the role is about more than winning titles.<\/p>\n
\u201cT.J. has done an amazing job with these boys the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew McFadden was clear to me what he wants and results aside, this grade is for development, so if I can do that with my boys, then I\u2019m winning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything outside of that is extra and we\u2019ll take those wins as they come but first and foremost, we\u2019re a development team and we\u2019re about giving these boys an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vete recalls becoming interested in coaching after arriving in the UK, where he started to see and think about rugby league differently. At the start of 2024, he contacted McFadden, who has helped guide him on his journey.<\/p>\n
Albert Vete played 46 games for the Warriors between 2015-18. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The two have a close bond as McFadden handed Vete his NRL debut in the opening round of the 2015 season, when he was coach of the team. McFadden\u2019s assistant at the time was current head coach Andrew Webster<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vete came from a rugby union background and captained Saint Kentigern College to the Auckland 1A title in 2012.<\/p>\n Then came the switch to league, Vete going on to play 46 games for the Warriors in the NRL, followed by a stint at the Melbourne Storm before moving to the UK, where he spent four years at multiple clubs.<\/p>\n The 33-year-old, who is now teaching physical education and health at his old school, said it feels special to be involved back at the club that gave him an opportunity all those years ago and now he wants the chance to give back.<\/p>\n \u201cComing back and being a coach, there\u2019s lessons that I\u2019ve learned with my time when I was in the under-20s, New South Wales Cup, NRL and Super League,\u201d Vete said.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to help these boys not make those mistakes that I made, give them some advice around how to manage their footy and how to manage life.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been to a few of the NRL trainings to watch [Warriors coach Andrew Webster] and learn from him and get some advice from him. He\u2019s welcomed me with open arms to help me develop and give the support I need.\u201d<\/p>\n The Harrold Matthews Cup is the start of the pathway for young players as they work their way up the ranks through to the NRL.<\/p>\n When Vete came through, there was just the U20 competition, the Holden Cup, which ran from 2008-17. The Warriors were the most successful club in that era, reaching four finals and claiming three titles.<\/p>\n After the competition was shelved, the Warriors initially entered the Jersey Flegg tournament and then decided to change tack and focus on the S.G. Ball, but the Covid pandemic shelved those plans too. <\/p>\n Emerging from the Covid era and settling back to being based in New Zealand, the Warriors established teams in the Harold Matthews Cup, S.G. Ball Cup and in the Jersey Flegg competition while relaunching their New South Wales Cup side, to provide genuine pathways for players to try crack the NRL.<\/p>\n