Wests Tigers have hit the ground running in readiness for this weekend’s trip to New Zealand.
The Round 16 match at Mount Smart Stadium is attracting plenty of interest as the Warriors prepare for their long-awaited homecoming. The ‘sold out’ sign was erected a few days ago with more than 26,500 fans heading to the match.
The club's only previous regular-season sell out games were against Manly Warringah in 2007 and against North Queensland and Canberra in 2018.
The game is also part of the NRL’s annual Beanies for Brain Cancer Round in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Wests Tigers players are throwing their full support behind the fundraising initiative, joining the fight to defeat brain cancer. They’ve been wearing the MHF beanies at training and will continue to do so this week in readiness for chilly conditions in Auckland over the weekend.
Winger Ken Maumalo has played in front of big crowds before at Mount Smart Stadium. He was there for the home side's last 'sell out' in 2018 when then Warriors teammate Simon Mannering played his 300th game for the club, so he knows what to expect.
“The whole country is eager to welcome their NRL team home after such a long time and it should be an amazing atmosphere. I think it’s been more than 1000 days or so since they’ve played there.”
I think it's important that we embrace the energy at Mount Smart, enjoy the buzz, and go out there and perform at the highest standard.”
Ken Maumalo
Both teams are desperate for the two points on offer. The Warriors are on a seven-game losing run with Wests Tigers winless in their last three outings.
You can help raise much needed funds by buying a beanie or making a donation at Markhughesfoundation.com.au
