Warriors Loss & Napier’s Bid for More Rugby League Games

Napier’s McLean Park is proving to be a popular venue for rugby league, attracting a crowd of 13,575 to Saturday’s pre-season clash between the New Zealand Warriors and the Manly Sea Eagles. While the Warriors ultimately fell to a 33-18 defeat, the turnout has sparked hopes for more significant events at the ground, according to Napier City Council events manager Kevin Murphy.

The match, which saw a young Manly side – described by their own media as “brimming with youth and part-time footballers” – secure a comfortable victory, was the largest crowd at McLean Park since a 2014 rugby union international between the All Blacks and Argentina drew 21,329 spectators. It also surpassed the attendance of a 2015 NRL pre-season game between the Melbourne Storm and the St George Illawarra Dragons, which attracted 14,522 fans.

Despite the Warriors suffering their second consecutive pre-season loss, the atmosphere was positive, with Murphy noting that the crowd size was comparable to recent Super Rugby Pacific matches held at the venue. He expressed a desire to bring the Warriors back for a competition game and is also exploring the possibility of hosting A-League football matches and Pacific Cup fixtures featuring the Kiwis.

The success of the event is particularly noteworthy given past concerns about spectator behavior. A pitch invasion during a Warriors match three years ago led to calls for Napier to be excluded from future hosting duties, but Saturday’s game passed without incident, thanks to a security team of approximately 80 personnel.

On the field, the Warriors struggled with possession and defensive consistency, allowing Manly to build a 16-10 lead by halftime. While Harry Inch, Paea Sikuvea and Jack Thompson stood out for the Warriors, the overall performance was described as “poor.” Ali Leiataua scored a brace for the Warriors, capitalizing on Manly errors, while Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi and Makaia Tafua added tries in the final ten minutes of the game.

The Warriors now travel to face the Dolphins in another pre-season encounter on Friday, seeking to address the issues highlighted in their loss to Manly. The team will be looking to improve their ball control and defensive structure as they prepare for the start of the 2026 NRL season.

The strong turnout at McLean Park underscores the growing appetite for rugby league in the Hawke’s Bay region. Murphy highlighted the success of associated events, including curtain-raisers featuring Hawke’s Bay women’s and youth teams, demonstrating a commitment to developing the sport at all levels.

McLean Park is already scheduled to host a Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific match in March, further cementing its status as a key sporting venue in the region. The park recently hosted a one-day cricket match and will be reconfigured with a drop-in pitch for a Plunket Shield match later this month, showcasing its versatility.

The Warriors’ pre-season campaign is underway, and while the results haven’t been ideal thus far, the enthusiastic support shown by fans in Napier provides a positive sign for the season ahead. The team will need to translate that support into improved performances on the field as they strive to contend in the competitive NRL landscape.

The Manly Sea Eagles, meanwhile, appear to be entering the 2026 season in strong form, with their pre-season victory over the Warriors signaling their potential as a top-four contender. The performance of their young players will be particularly encouraging for coach and fans alike.