Vodafone Warriors to Open Trials Programme at North Harbour Stadium
Friday, November 11, 2011
NRL trials football is set for North Harbour Stadium for the
10th time following confirmation the Vodafone Warriors will begin
their build-up for their 2012 campaign with a preseason hit-out
against the Gold Coast Titans at the ground on Saturday, Februayry
4.
It will be new coach Brian McClennan's first match in charge as
the 2011 beaten NRL grand finalists begin their build-up to their
season-opener against premiers Manly at Eden Park in the NRL's
first round from March 1-5.
The 10th anniversary trial at North Harbour Stadium
will also have a new look with the Titans playing a trial in New
Zealand for the first time. They were one of the most active clubs
in the market place signing a number of players including Jamal
Idris (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Luke Douglas (Cronulla
Sharks), Beau Champion (Melbourne Storm) and Nate Myles (Sydney
Roosters). Coach John Cartwright has already indicated he plans to
use his strongest available side.
In an interesting twist the trial is also likely to see
off-season signing Nathan Friend make his debut for the Vodafone
Warriors against hisold Gold Coast club.
McClennan, who lives nearby on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, said
the match would be of special significance for both the Vodafone
Warriors and for the stadium.
"It's great that we have a trial there each season. It's a real
tradition now," he said.
"Playing at North Harbour Stadium means our members and other
fans have the chance to see the Vodafone Warriors play in Auckland
before the competition starts. We always seem to get a big crowd
there and this shouldn't be any exception.
"This trial is also invaluable for giving us the opportunity to
find out how we are travelling as we build towards such an exciting
start to our season with our first match at Eden Park."
Following the Vodafone Warriors' exceptional 2011 season, the
February 4 trial will give members and supporters their first
chance to see the team live since the final regular season home
game against North Queensland on September 3. After the victory
that night, the Vodafone Warriors were on the road for four
straight weeks in the finals travelling to Brisbane, Sydney,
Melbourne and Sydney again for their 10-24 grand final loss to
Manly.
Also playing on February 4 will be the triumphant Vodafone
Junior Warriors who beat the North Queensland Cowboys 31-30 on
October 2 to become the first club to win the NYC premiership in
consecutive seasons.
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah encouraged Vodafone Warriors
members and the wider sporting public to make a date to be at North
Harbour Stadium on February 4.
"The stadium has given the Vodafone Warriors fantastic support
for 10 years now and we love going there each season to play NRL
and NYC trials," he said.
"Our trial there has become a real event for Aucklanders at that
time of the year with tremendous crowds coming along. With the
success our teams have had this season it would be great to see the
public turn out in big numbers again next year."
The trial against the Titans will kick off at 6.00pm. Ticket
information will be available on www.stadium.co.nz
soon.
For further information please contact:
Richard Becht
Communications Manager
Vodafone Warriors
Mob: + 64 21 814 537
Email: richard@warriors.co.nz