Hopes of a return to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium for the opening fortnight of the NRL have been scuppered with the Warriors to spend three months in Australia to start 2021.
After playing their 2020 season out of Australia, the Warriors will again be forced to relocate to Tamworth and the Central Coast to start pre-season from January 3 through until at least the end of round four on April 4.
The decision was finalised by the NRL and the Warriors on Friday, giving the club some certainty for the upcoming season while borders between Australia and New Zealand remain closed.
Currently 14 Australian-based players are training in Kiama in NSW and the rest are in Auckland with new coach Nathan Brown.
“It’s not what we want to do but it’s what we have to do,” said Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
“Our priority is to ensure we do all we can to enable our team to be as well prepared as it can be for 2021.
“It’s a football decision that needs to be made now. We can’t afford to speculate about what might or might not happen any longer. We need clarity for our players, staff and families.
“We tried to arrange a quarantine facility like other sporting bodies have done to bring our players from Australia to train here as a squad but our request was declined so we’ve had to adapt.
“We’ll keep abreast of the border situation and in early March will decide with the NRL what the best course of action is after the first four rounds.”
The Warriors will fly into Tamworth on January 3 and will then move to the Central Coast, where they were camped for the majority of the 2020 season.
Their first two home games against Gold Coast and Newcastle, originally scheduled for the opening fortnight of 2021, have been moved from Mount Smart Stadium to Central Coast Stadium.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo thanked the club for making the sacrifice once again to keep the competition going in the midst of a pandemic.
In a statement, Abdo said he is confident the Warriors will be able to play the majority of their games in New Zealand after round four.
“We remain committed to the Warriors playing the majority of their season in New Zealand and recent news regarding a vaccine and a near-zero infection rate in Australia is very positive,” he said.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Plus the Warriors Club should be grateful that the NRL provides them with a fully funded five star sporting camp by the sea ( away from all the distractions of home) with reduced travel issues, that has enabled this team to bond and develop into a cohesive and improving football team for the first time in a decade !
adam smith
Guest
Well said Walter, agree completely.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
The way I read it they are hoping to give the Warriors plenty of home games in NZ, if possible. The 2 "home games" they have to play here at the beginning of season had to be changed (played away), due to unexpected restrictions, but Abdo said he hoped they could still play the majority of their season at home, so obviously wants to look after them, and is prepared to make changes to accomodate them later in the season if possible.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Warriors are now my official number 2 team. Kia kaha
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Try Prozac.
Walter Black
Guest
Nice idea in principle but in truth, I think the NRL does enough. Most of these guys are earning salaries that most of us could only dream of and for doing something they enjoy. Many people have to work away from home at times with a lot less financial/other recompense.
Paul
Roar Guru
and IMO, so they should but should the NRL do more? I'm thinking about something special for wives, family, etc. Not necessarily a Cam Smith type gift, but some recognition all connected to the Warriors squad have made significant sacrifices and it looks like they'll continue to do so.
Walter Black
Guest
I think the NRL cops the relocation expenses.
Walter Black
Guest
" but that was always going to be pretty unrealistic." I don't know that it is that unrealistic. It wasn't that long ago we were talking about a trans tasmen bubble. Given the almost zero cases in both countries, a simple health check before and after travel would appear reasonable especially considering the additional protocols these guys go through. Then we have a vaccine on the horizon plus the start of the season is still a full 3 months away so I don't think the expectation was that unreasonable. Still, front loading Warriors games with away matches would have been a prudent precaution.
Rob
Guest
Would of made sense to give the Warriors plenty of away games to start the season. Obviously the NRL was hopeful that travel to and from NZ would be fine but that was always going to be pretty unrealistic.
Paul
Roar Guru
So what are the NRL going to do to not only recompense the Warriors financially for this move, but to recognise the ongoing additional hardships this Club will have to face over the coming months? I'm sure Abdo was sincere in his thanks to the Warriors, but is a simple thank you enough?
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I have a feeling it will be longer than four games for the Warriors...
Walter Black
Guest
More of them know what Rugby League is than have even heard of AwFuL.
Armidale Armadillo
Guest
Gee the whole of NZ must be devastated at that news hahaha.. Well Stu Auckland anyway where they know what Rugby League is
Nick
Roar Guru
Why hub? Wouldn't it be better and fairer if they can front load as many away games as possible and then back load the home games in NZ? It's not far to go from CC to Newcastle or to Sydney to play their away games against those clubs