New ground will be broken when the One New Zealand Warriors’ premiership-winning New South Wales Cup side faces Redcliffe in a preseason trial in Logan in South East Queensland on Saturday, February 21 (12.30pm kick-off).
The Warriors’ first-ever NSW Cup trial played in Australia consolidates the club’s relationship with the city following the launch of the ‘Warriors Inspire Logan’ initiative last year.
City of Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the match at the Logan Metro Sports Complex would be an amazing opportunity for local footy fans.
“Logan is a rugby league town and we love having the One New Zealand Warriors as our home team,” he said.
“After thousands of fans turned up to a Warriors training session in Logan last year, I reckon we can top that at this game against the Dolphins.
“This event will be great for the fans, great for the game and great for the City of Logan.”
One New Zealand Warriors coach David Tangata-Toa said the trial would give fans a special insight into the club’s future.
“Our squad this year has changed markedly from the one we had last season,” he said.
“With a lot of our experienced players moving to other clubs, we’re excited about developing the next wave of talent from our pathways system. Some have had exposure in the NSW Cup but others will be stepping up from our Jersey Flegg under-19 group. There’s lots to like about what they bring.”
After arriving on Friday morning (February 20), the One New Zealand Warriors will head into the Logan community on a blitz taking in visits to seven schools.
On Saturday morning there will be scrimmage games run by the Warriors Inspire Logan team when players recently selected for the WIL academy will be involved.
Ahead of the main game between the Warriors and Redcliffe there will be a Brisbane Rugby League clash pitting the Dolphins against the Logan Pride (10.30am kick-off).
Tickets will be $5 per adult, with children free. Tickets can be secured HERE.
The Warriors swept all before them in the New South Wales Cup competition last season when they clinched the minor premiership and grand final for the first time in the club’s history before completing the treble by crushing Queensland Cup premiers the Burleigh Bears 50-20 in the State Championship.
The Redcliffe Dolphins’ 2025 Hostplus Cup season ended in the preliminary final when they lost to Burleigh.
Their wider squad for 2026 lists a number of New Zealand-born players including two with NRL experience in Max Feagai (ex-Dragons and Dolphins but now with the Titans) and Valynce Te Whare, who made 12 appearances for the Dolphins in 2023. Also in the squad is ex-Warriors junior Sheldon Pitama and seasoned NRL players Tom Opacic and Josh Kerr.
The Warriors and Dolphins forged an association in the third year of the pandemic era in 2022 when the New Zealand side was based in Redcliffe with a number of players appearing for the Dolphins in Queensland competitions.
Warriors Inspire Logan, a joint venture between the Warriors and Logan City Council, was launched last July to set up an academy in the area..
With support from Ausbuild, the programme has been bedded in with the appointment of ex-Warriors NRLW and Australian Jillaroos coach Brad Donald as football manager, former Warriors front rower Mark Tookey as community manager and Claire Gilmour in an accounts and administration role.
A highly successful combine for 16-year-old boys and girls from the Logan area was run in December when the young players were put through a range of tests and drills at the academy’s home base at the Logan Metro Sports Complex. It was the first of many events planned for emerging players.
