NRL Likely to Move Warriors to Eden Park for Preliminary Final
News Context
At a glance
- If we can do it at Mt Smart which is a special home for us, we would love to do it there.
Peter V’landys Confirms Eden Park Plan
According to 1News, National Rugby League head office gave serious consideration to moving the opening week fixture against the Dolphins to Eden Park before ultimately granting the club a reprieve to play at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday evening. However, the governing body expects demand to outstrip the smaller venue’s capacity should Andrew Webster’s side advance further. “We had a long discussion about moving the game in Auckland to Eden Park. But we decided to go with their existing home ground,” Peter V’landys told 1News, noting that officials have already discussed the contingency with the club. “I’d say you’d be 90 per cent sure that we’ll be going to Eden Park (for week three). And we’ve discussed it with the club.” “They’d like to stay at Mount Smart, but they realise that if all goes to plan, they’re going to have a massive audience, and they’ll be accommodated at Eden Park,” V’landys added, as reported by 1News.Player and Member Perspectives on Auckland Venues
The Warriors have sold out 41 of 46 home matches since returning to New Zealand following their COVID-19 exile, establishing a groundswell of support dubbed “Up the Wahs” across the country, as reported by 1News. The team has not played a fixture at Eden Park since 2014. Injured Warriors veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck acknowledged the strong emotional ties members hold to their regular venue while recognizing the practical need for a larger arena, according to 1News.Mt Smart is home, especially for our members. They have had seats there since day dot. To give them that would be awesome. If we can do it at Mt Smart which is a special home for us, we would love to do it there. But if we can get more at Eden Park, we’ll take that too. We can’t control everything, as long as it’s in Auckland.
