This weekend’s Round 24 NRL Telstra Premiership match between Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors in Hamilton is a sellout.
Match: Wests Tigers v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Warriors
3rd Position
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Close to 24,000 fans will fill FMG Stadium Waikato for what is the first NRL game to be played at the venue in six years.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe is delighted this initiative has been so well supported in New Zealand.
“When we made the decision to take this home game to New Zealand nine months ago, we knew we were doing it for the right reasons,” said Pascoe.
We wanted to give back to the people of New Zealand who went without NRL matches for almost three years because of Covid.
Justin Pascoe
“We worked closely with the Warriors and the NRL to make this happen, and I’m thrilled there’ll be a full house at FMG Stadium Waikato.”
Wests Tigers Assistant Coach Benji Marshall says the team is looking forward to the trip.
“It will be a hectic atmosphere and our boys are really excited about coming over,” said Marshall.
“We have a lot of boys in the team with New Zealand heritage, and Wests Tigers also have a big following in New Zealand.
I think it’s a terrific gesture what we are doing here as a club and I’m not at all surprised the game is a sellout.
Benji Marshall
Wests Tigers were the first Australian club to schedule one of this season’s home games in New Zealand.
Wests Tigers’ decision to ‘give a game back’ to New Zealand comes after the Warriors made significant sacrifices through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hamilton Council’s General Manager of Venues, Tourism and Major Events, Sean Murray, said the city is gearing up for this opportunity.
“We are excited to be hosting another sold out game at FMG Stadium Waikato," Murray said.
“The response from the fans for this game has been nothing short of extraordinary.
We are so appreciative Wests Tigers have brought this game to Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
Sean Murray
“The One New Zealand Warriors have captured the hearts and minds of the New Zealand public and we are all looking out for some amazing end to end NRL action."
The match kicks off at 7.30pm (local time) this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato.
For more information visit fmgstadiumwaikato.co.nz
