Warriors to play in New Zealand on Anzac Day, but not against Storm
The Warriors’ request has been fulfilled, and they will not play the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day of the upcoming season.
For years, the team has been fighting that it ought to take turns hosting the Storm on the day that unites the two nations in a customary match.
The Warriors will finally have a home game on April 25 thanks to an agreement with the NRL, though Stuff understands it will be against the Titans.
With a ceremony to commemorate the day and the playing of the Last Post, the Warriors will undoubtedly make a big deal out of their Anzac Day game in Auckland.
After hosting the Titans to commemorate the day’s 100th anniversary in 2015, the Warriors have not held a home game on Anzac Day.
Before the team’s Anzac Day game this year, Warriors captain Tohu Harris told Stuff that he thought the club’s supporters should have the opportunity to see the team on this day.
“It’s a little different for me because my wife and I still have family in Melbourne, where we used to live,” Harris remarked.
On the other hand, it would be fantastic for the club to be able to host such a momentous occasion in New Zealand and play a team like the Storm, who we have a long history of playing against. Both the club and the nation would benefit greatly from that.
It’s safe to say that Warriors supporters would have rather seen the team play the Storm on Anzac Day in order to preserve the tradition, but it’s still a win to play at home against any team on that day following years of the NRL denying their requests.
The NRL will reveal the draw for the upcoming season on Monday, and it is anticipated that the Warriors will begin their campaign at home.
To support that, they will play the Storm in Melbourne, then play the Raiders and Knights at home, and finally play the Rabbitohs away.
Later in the season, the Warriors will host the Storm, and it’s likely that they’ll play the Panthers in Brisbane’s Magic Round.
On Friday, the team made good on their promise to play a match in Christchurch every season for the following three years.
Apollo Projects Stadium in Addington will host the 2024 and 2025 matches before the 2026 match is moved to the brand-new Te Kaha Stadium.
