Eden Park will host an NRL finals match for the first time after being confirmed as the venue for the One New Zealand Warriors’ play-off against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday, September 20 (6.05pm kick-off).
The Warriors were at Go Media Stadium for their 16-26 qualifying final loss to the Dolphins last night but the NRL has today announced the historic move to Eden Park for the Warriors’ second life play-off.
Through finishing in the top two in the regular season, the Warriors secured a second life as well as two home finals.
Had they won last night they would have advanced to a preliminary final at home in a week three preliminary final with victory then securing a berth in the grand final.
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
As a first week loser, their second home final falls in week two against the seventh-placed Knights who beat the sixth-ranked South Sydney 20-10 in Friday night’s elimination play-off. Success would take the Warriors into a preliminary final in week three in Australia.
This year’s scenario is a repeat of what happened in 2023.
After finishing fourth the Warriors lost to minor premier Penrith in week one while the Knights (fifth) defeated Canberra (eighth) to set up a week two final at Go Media Stadium when the Warriors beat Newcastle 40-10.
This will be the Warriors’ seventh home final but the first they’ve played away from Go Media Stadium.
It will be the seventh time the Warriors have played at Eden Park but the first time in 12 years since beating Canberra there in 2014.
