Warriors embrace Eden Park switch for sudden-death semi-final

The Warriors are hoping Eden Park can provide a home-field advantage like no other when they face the Newcastle Knights in a sudden-death semi-final on Sunday.

After last week’s qualifying-final defeat to the Dolphins, the Warriors’ season is now on the line – but they will have the backing of what is expected to be the biggest crowd in the club’s history on New Zealand soil.

The clash has sold out, with 48,500 tickets snapped up. Members bought more than 30,000 on Monday, before the public claimed the rest on Tuesday.

That means the game is on target to become the biggest rugby league game ever played in New Zealand, with the 1988 World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia still holding the attendance record of 47,363.

The biggest crowd the Warriors have played in front of on New Zealand soil was also at Eden Park, when 38,405 attended their 2011 season opener against the Parramatta Eels.

The biggest concern for the Warriors though is their overall record at the stadium of one win and five losses, although they haven’t played there since 2014.

While not playing at their familiar home at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart will be unusual, utility back Charnze Nicol-Klokstad said the team is ready to embrace the occasion.

“It’s quite grand, isn’t it?” Nicol-Klokstad said. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere this weekend. Just the extra 23,000 people is exciting.

“We’ve trained here once last year, but I think once we get closer to the game, I think the buzz about being here is going to be a lot bigger. The atmosphere, the crowd, the charisma, all of that sort of stuff. I think the players will start to feel that then.

“Being able to experience a stadium like Eden Park and still be at home is pretty special. So I think we’re going to make the most out of it and looking forward to Sunday’s game. We’re chasing our own slice of history and this is another one up there on the mantel.”

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Coach Andrew Webster believes the occasion is something his players should embrace.

“They’re completely respectful of the occasion, the opponent, but they’re excited,” Webster said. “It’s such a cool challenge, it’s something different.”

We get to come here with the biggest crowd in Warriors history on New Zealand soil. So why would you be sulking? You’d just be excited.”

While playing on the stadium will be a new experience for some, many have had the chance to play at Eden Park before for international matches including last year’s clash between the Kiwis and Tonga.

Eden Park hosted the Kiwis v Tonga test last November. Photo / Photosport

Interchange forward Demitric Vaimauga played in that clash last November for Tonga, scoring a try in their 40-14 defeat to New Zealand in the Pacific Championships.

The 22-year-old believes the crowd could become particularly influential if the Warriors can give their supporters something to cheer about early.

“I’m expecting it to be a similar crowd, real vocal, real loud, backing us all the way,” Vaimauga said. “When we’re going well, the crowd’s energy you kind of feel it while you’re playing.

“We just hope to get out to a red-hot start and keep the crowd behind us.”

That will be the challenge for the Warriors as they attempt to respond from their defeat to the Dolphins and keep their season alive against a Knights side also fighting for survival.

There are no second chances for teams now and the winner will face the Penrith Panthers for a spot in the grand final.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.