Vodafone Warriors v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Date: Friday, June 23, 2017
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Match day sponsor: Suzuki
Game day hashtag: #NRLWarriorsBulldogs
Key timings
Gates open: 5.30pm
NYC kick-off: 5.45pm - Vodafone Warriors v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
NRL kick-off: 8.00pm - Vodafone Warriors v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Details
Two Suzuki Swift boot parties and a Suzuki Swift halftime challenge plus a pyjama party in support of Kidz First’s ‘Jammies in June’ and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1977 Auckland team’s international grand slam all feature on the game day programme when the Vodafone Warriors host Canterbury-Bankstown on Friday night.
Raising awareness of Kidz First’s ‘Jammies in June’ campaign is a key focus.
Every June, Kidz First Children’s Hospital collects pyjamas to give to kids in need to help them keep warm in winter.
Vodafone Warriors members and fans are encouraged to support the campaign by coming to the game dressed in pyjamas. They’re also urged to give generously by buying pyjamas to donate to the cause. There will be collection points around the ground (more details below).
As match day sponsor Suzuki is promoting the launch of its new 2017 Suzuki Swift, a car which combines the personality of the original hatchback as well as incorporating the latest in safety features and technology. Suzuki is also providing halftime entertainment with a challenge competition (more details below).
New Zealand rugby league legends will be thick on the ground for the 40th anniversary of the astounding feat achieved by Auckland in 1977 when it beat Australia, Great Britain and France in the space of 20 days at Carlaw Park. The players from the record-setting side will be guests of honour, gathering in the Members’ Clubrooms about 6.00pm to reminisce with members and fans and will also walk onto the field alongside the Vodafone Warriors for the start of the NRL fixture (more details below).
Other game day features will include the popular mini mod games, the Canterbury of New Zealand T-shirt cannon, the official Ray White Coin Toss and much more.
Unsure how to get to the match? Try the trains. Travel is free if you present your membership pass or match ticket. There is also a free SKYCITY fan bus travelling from SKYCITY to Mount Smart Stadium and returning after the game. Spaces are limited, so head to www.skycityauckland.co.nz/fanbus for more information and to register.
Suzuki
Four contestants will line up in a bid to win the Suzuki Swift challenge at halftime during the NRL game.
At stake for the winner is an action-packed weekend away for two in the all-new Suzuki Swift, including two nights’ accommodation, breakfast and an off-road 4WD adventure in Rotorua.
Be at the game to find out what the challenge is for the competitors.
Also look out for the two Suzuki Swifts stationed at either end of the East Stand for two special boot parties. Kidz First will be hosting one of the parties while the winner of the other party will be determined after a ‘Swift Boot Party’ competition which has been running on Facebook.
‘Jammies in June’
About 320 children are admitted to Kidz First in January each year but the number increases to more than 700 when winter takes hold in August.
Kids who are warm in winter are less likely to become ill or be admitted to hospital with preventable illnesses like acute rheumatic fever. Within our region there are about 125,000 children under the age of 15 and 54 percent of these children live in impoverished conditions.
On game day, keep an eye out for drop-off points around the stadium where you can donate new pairs of pyjamas contributing to this campaign.
Remember, come to the ground dressed in pyjamas on Friday night to support the ‘Jammies in June’ pyjama party.
Celebrating 1977 Auckland team’s grand slam
The 1977 Auckland which claimed an unprecedented international grand slam will also be a huge part of our game day focus on Friday night.
It will be 40 years almost to the day that the Bill Sorensen-coached Auckland team beat France 17-0 at Carlaw Park on June 21, 1977, to complete a clean sweep which had started with a 19-15 win over Australia on June 1 followed by a 14-10 success against Great Britain and a 17-0 victory against France. The teams were all in New Zealand for the World Championship and had the dubious pleasure of taking on Auckland just days after playing the Kiwis.
A total of 19 players were used during Auckland’s campaign and all 19 – many of them now living in Australia – have said they plan to gather for a 40th anniversary reunion this weekend kicking off with their attendance as the Vodafone Warriors’ guests on Friday night.
The Vodafone Warriors marked the 30th anniversary of Auckland’s feat by wearing a stunning replica Auckland kit when they beat Manly 36-14 in August 2007. Mount Smart was sold out two days before the game with a crowd of 25,070 in attendance.
The club is honouring them again 10 years on by hosting the players, staff and partners. The group is due to gather in the Members’ Clubrooms from 6.00pm with some of the players being involved in interviews in lounges around the ground as well as on SKY Sport.
The 1977 Auckland team will walk out onto the ground alongside the Vodafone Warriors ahead of kick-off in the NRL game, the respective captains Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dennis Williams side by side with their teams filing out behind them.
Instant Kiwi
Digital Instant Kiwi Scratchies will be available with prizes up for grabs. Using a smart phone, click on the link to participate and follow the step by step instructions. With 381 prizes on offer, you can win up to $10,000. If you are a winner of this R18 activity, head to the white marquee located in the north-east stand corner next to the Ultimate Road Warrior to redeem your prize (ID will be required).
Free SKYCITY Fan Bus
Catch the FREE return SKYCITY fan bus from SKYCITY to Mount Smart Stadium. You’ll need to be quick as there are only 49 seats on the bus. Registrations are now open head to www.skycityauckland.co.nz/fanbus for more information and to register.
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