General 2025 Warriors Trial Games

[mt.wellington]

2025 Warriors Trial Games
PRESEASON CHALLENGE




​

 

[Playdaball]

I still believe that pre-season games should be played out of Auckland.

 

[Matiunz]

Might head over to the Sharks trial if my Warriors amnesia has kicked in by then. Will have to get rabies shots first though

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Hamilton to host Storm clash​

Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato has today been confirmed to stage the One New Zealand Warriors’ Preseason Challenge clash against the Melbourne Storm on February 15 next year (3.30pm kick-off).

The city will welcome the Warriors back 18 months after they played there in front of a sold-out crowd of 25,118 for their away match against the Wests Tigers on August 12, 2023.

It will be the only time the Warriors play in New Zealand before flying to the United States for their historic opening match of the 2025 NRL season against the Canberra Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 1.

“Going back to Hamilton is really exciting for us and for fans both from the Auckland area and the Waikato region,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable when we played there against the Tigers last year and we’d love to see those fans returning to pack the place out again.

“It’s a really important game for our team before heading to Las Vegas, the final chance for the coaching staff and players to tune up for Vegas and the season ahead.”

FMG Stadium Waikato Director Ben Slatter said it will be a thrill have the One New Zealand Warriors in Hamilton again.

"The atmosphere at FMG Stadium Waikato is always electric, and we expect this game to be no different,” he said.

“It's a fantastic opportunity for fans to see their team in action before they take on the international stage in Las Vegas."

The One New Zealand Warriors face Cronulla Sutherland in their first Preseason Challenge game on February 8 before lining up in Hamilton when they’re likely to field their strongest available lineup.

New arrivals Kiwi captain James Fisher-Harris and his New Zealand teammate Erin Clark will be in the frame along with other 2025 recruits Tanah Boyd and Sam Healey.

The One New Zealand Warriors’ 30-22 win over the Tigers in 2023 was their first success in five NRL matches they’ve played at FMG Stadium Waikato.

In earlier visits to Hamilton, the Warriors were the away team against Parramatta in 2005 and 2006 as well as Canterbury Bankstown in 2014 while they brought their home game against St George Illawarra to FMG Stadium Waikato in 2017.

The Preseason Challenge match will be the second time the Warriors and Melbourne have met in a build-up match in Hamilton.

The first was in 2009 soon after the devastating loss of the exciting and popular Sonny Fai, who disappeared at Bethells Beach on January 4.

The venue was drenched by a drought-breaking deluge on the night of February 12, 2009, as Stacey Jones made his first appearance for the Warriors in his final comeback season. They won the game 24-12.

The Warriors have also played trials in Hamilton against Wigan (2014), Penrith (2013), St George Illawarra (2004) and a local invitation side (1999).

Tickets will be available on presale through Ticketek for members only from Wednesday (December 11) before being released for general sale from 10.00am on Thursday (December 12).

 

[Billyspleen75]

Hamilton to host Storm clash​

Fantastic decision

 

[Jonesy69]

Fantastic decision

Kinda disappointing members have to pay for tickets? Says members pre sale is on the 10th…

 

[Billyspleen75]

Kinda disappointing members have to pay for tickets? Says members pre sale is on the 10th…

Same as always isn't it?
I've always viewed the membership as being for the 10 (or so) regular season games at Mt Smart.

 

[Jonesy69]

Same as always isn't it?
I've always viewed the membership as being for the 10 (or so) regular season games at Mt Smart.

Nope last season was free…

 

[Billyspleen75]

Nope last season was free…

Sorry, by same as always, I meant same as always for non Mt Smart pre season games.

 

[Teets]

Hamilton to host Storm clash​

Love a game within walking distance.

 

[John Nick]

Love a game within walking distance.

Went a few years ago.Stayed in the Motel directly opposite.
Brilliant night. Might do the same for this one.

 

[Teets]

Went a few years ago.Stayed in the Motel directly opposite.
Brilliant night. Might do the same for this one.

Yeah Hamz is pretty good for footy.

Pre game at the Helm or Ale House.

Game time the stadium doesn't have a single bad seat all close to the field.

And then you're a short walk from Vic street bars/clubs if you want to kick on.

Pity 95% of games there are kick n clap.

 

[juju]

I just got tickets. $20 + $1.90 in fees. Seats right on half way.

Looking forward to a trip out of Auckland.

 

[Inruin]

7 more sleeps

 

[Canonball]

7 more sleeps

I've been doing the sicko thing of watching last season in order again this week ... I'm not that far through, 5 games, but even on only those few there are obvious issues which I hope we've worked out for this year - the halves are really interesting of course, the way SJ played deep and the the 6 was more up in the line - I wonder what pattern we'll adopt with whoever is coming in? While I loved Montoya's attitude and energy not overall sad he's gone, he really did some strange strange things in those early games that cost us. In a different way I reckon we come out better off with Fish over AFB, who was incredible offensively when he tried, yet in other phases ... well... hmm. And first to say it : the referees really have to be sorted, I do not know how... Also I forgot how good Berry was, there's a lot to work with there.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I've been doing the sicko thing of watching last season in order again this week ... I'm not that far through, 5 games, but even on only those few there are obvious issues which I hope we've worked out for this year - the halves are really interesting of course, the way SJ played deep and the the 6 was more up in the line - I wonder what pattern we'll adopt with whoever is coming in? While I loved Montoya's attitude and energy not overall sad he's gone, he really did some strange strange things in those early games that cost us. In a different way I reckon we come out better off with Fish over AFB, who was incredible offensively when he tried, yet in other phases ... well... hmm. And first to say it : the referees really have to be sorted, I do not know how... Also I forgot how good Berry was, there's a lot to work with there.

You watching the full games? You are sick!

 

[The Warrior Waka]

You watching the full games? You are sick!

I have watched the whole season, full games too. I re-watch all the good one's several times after that. We just bored kiients

 

[Jonesy69]

Would assume it will be our full strength team running out next week and then the reserves who aren’t going over to Vegas playing in game 2?

 

[Inruin]

Also I forgot how good Berry was, there's a lot to work with there.

Yeah, he is a lot better than I initially gave him credit for. It was very noticeable the difference in quality he brings to the team when he returned for the Cowboys game versus what the other centres, RTS and MGT in particular had. I'm hoping his injury is fully sorted now. He has now got the build up of experience and the benefit of AW coaching him for two seasons so I think his best times are ahead of him.

 

[mt.wellington]

Would assume it will be our full strength team running out next week and then the reserves who aren’t going over to Vegas playing in game 2?

Interesting question because it's usually the other way round but with the extra travel requirements of going to Vegas that throws a spanner in the works...