NRL DRAW TEASER | Broncos' 20th anniversary clash

Dean Bell leads the players onto the field, Winfield Cup, Warriors opening match, Auckland Warriors v Brisbane Broncos, Friday 10 March 1995. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Author: Richard Becht
Timestamp: Sun 14 Dec 2014, 02:53 PM

Less than 24 hours before all details are revealed, the NRL has confirmed the Vodafone Warriors will have a 20^th anniversary rematch with the Brisbane Broncos at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, March 29 next year.

The fourth-round encounter gives the Vodafone Warriors the opportunity to relive and celebrate the club’s famous first outing against the Broncos in front of 29,220 fans on Friday, March 10, 1995, an occasion never to be forgotten.

While Brisbane won 25-22 that night, the new kids on the block announced their intentions by leading their vaunted opponents 22-10 early in the second spell before Allan Langer’s magic took victory away from them.

The Vodafone Warriors have a range of plans in place to make their 20^th anniversary season a memorable one, not least the game day activities set for the historic rematch on March 29.

It will be the 36^th time the teams have met since the debut appearance. Since then the Vodafone Warriors have fashioned a 15 wins-20 losses record against the Broncos, the 18th at Mount Smart Stadium where the home side has won 10 of the 17 clashes so far.

Tomorrow the NRL will unveil the full draw for the 2015 season. It has been confirmed the Vodafone Warriors will play 11 of their 12 home games at Mount Smart Stadium but it is yet to be determined where their 12^th home game will be staged.

Since 2011 the Vodafone Warriors have had a number of their nominated home games away from Mount Smart Stadium. They had one-off games at Eden Park in 2011 (Parramatta), 2012 (Manly) and 2013 (Sydney Roosters) before three games at the venue last year (St George Illawarra, Canterbury-Bankstown and Canberra). They have also travelled to Wellington for ‘home’ games in 2013 (Canterbury-Bankstown) and 2014 (Wests Tigers).

Look out for the Vodafone Warriors’ full 2015 draw tomorrow afternoon. It will be distributed to members and will also be published right here on www.warriors.kiwi