The Warriors are set for an emotional homecoming on July 3rd when they’ll play their first game New Zealand in over two and a half years after the Government’s recent Covid-19 changes.
“Warriors CEO Cameron George says the club can now plan confidently for the first major rugby league game in New Zealand in more than two and a half years following the Government’s decision to remove a wide range of Covid-19 related restrictions,” the club said in a statement.
“As well as abolishing outdoor gathering limits, the Government has confirmed a significant loosening of vaccine pass requirements, most vaccine mandates and QR code scanning while masks will no longer be required at outdoor venues.”
George commented that “It’s fantastic news for all the long-suffering rugby league fans and for sports organisations like ours, until now we were cautiously optimistic families, members, fans and sponsors would at last be able to see the team playing in front of them at Mount Smart. But now we’re confident and hugely excited about the way being cleared for a return to our true home. Our first game back against Wests Tigers on July 3 will be one of the biggest and certainly the most emotional in the club’s history. We want to see the place packed to the rafters for what will be an unforgettable occasion. As a club we can’t wait for that day. We’re so thrilled fans will have the opportunity at last to see their team at our home.”
The match against Wests Tigers will be the Vodafone Warriors’ first at Mount Smart Stadium since they hosted South Sydney on August 30, 2019 while the last major rugby league game played in New Zealand was the second Test between the Kiwis and Great Britain in Christchurch on November 9, 2019.
After the Tigers on July 3, the Vodafone Warriors will host Melbourne (July 29), Canterbury Bankstown (August 12) and Gold Coast (September 3).
