A star-studded lineup of guests has been confirmed for the highly-anticipated Legends Lunch at One New Zealand Stadium ahead of the Warriors’ historic sold-out clash against the Cowboys in Christchurch next month.
Already secured were Australian rugby league greats Gorden Tallis and Kevin Walters and today it has been announced One New Zealand Warriors legends Simon Mannering, Shaun Johnson and Micheal Luck will join them.
Other special guests include One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris and One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
The One New Zealand Warriors and leading trade retailer PlaceMakers have partnered to celebrate the first NRL match at the new stadium by staging the Legends Lunch on Friday, June 19, two days ahead of the round 16 match against the Cowboys on June 21.
Limited tickets are still available for the event which follows on from the inaugural Legends Lunch which brought a legion of the club’s former players together at Go Media Stadium before the Warriors’ final regular season home game against Parramatta last August.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
“It’s going to be such a special time playing the first NRL game at One New Zealand Stadium,” said George.
“Our Legends Lunch with five rugby league greats in the room is going to add another layer to the occasion giving guests and fans a chance to mingle with them as well as getting a taste of how fantastic the venue is ahead of game day.
“We really appreciate PlaceMakers joining us again to make it possible as we grow our partnership around the concept of celebrating our legends.
“It’s also a tremendous opportunity for both of us to connect with the business community in Christchurch.”
Tallis, Walters, Mannering, Johnson and Luck provide star appeal aplenty.
Between them Tallis and Walters played almost 600 games for the Kangaroos, Queensland, Brisbane and other clubs. Walters moved into coaching taking on roles with Queensland, the Broncos and now the Kangaroos while Tallis branched out into broadcasting and is also a part owner of the Gold Coast Titans.
Long-time Warriors teammates Mannering, Johnson and Luck amassed 795 NRL games between them across their careers while Mannering was the first and is still the only player to make 300 appearances for the Warriors. They played alongside each other in the club’s 2011 grand final clash against the Sea Eagles.
The Warriors’ June 21 match against North Queensland sold out within five days of going on sale in January continuing a trend in Christchurch which saw sell-outs for games there against Canberra in 2024 and Newcastle last year.
PlaceMakers is New Zealand’s largest building materials and hardware supplier with almost 70 outlets across the country including a significant presence in the South Island.
“At PlaceMakers, we’re built on know-how and getting the job done,” said Shane Cornelius, GM Sales and Service, PlaceMakers.
Warriors Legends Lunch with PlaceMakers NZ
“Supporting the Warriors’ Legends Lunch and bringing it to Christchurch this year with a Rugby League lunch is a great way for us to stand alongside our customers, strengthen relationships, and back the communities we work in. We are thrilled to be continuing the partnership.”
The event will also have a charity component to raise funds for programmes run by the Warriors Community Foundation.
If you are interested in attending the ‘Legends Lunch, Christchurch’, please get in touch with One New Zealand Warriors commercial sales manager Thomas Harris: thomas@warriors.kiwi
Legends Lunch, Christchurch
Friday, June 19
12.00pm-4.00pm
Ōtautahi Lounge, One NZ Stadium
- Table of 10, complete with a three-course meal served direct to your table with access to a cash bar throughout the afternoon.
- Entertainment from past players across the afternoon, including Broncos legends Kevin Walters and Gorden Tallis.
- Live music across the course of the afternoon.
- Networking opportunities with other like-minded One New Zealand Warriors businesses in the Canterbury community ahead of the much-anticipated game in the new stadium against the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday, June 21.
- Price: $2600 excluding GST per table.
