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The Warriors will move to Australia for the start of the 2021 season, and the club’s first two home games against Gold Coast and Newcastle will be played at Central Coast Stadium.
The entire Warriors team will be based in Tamworth for a month starting January 3 before moving to the Central Coast, where the team was in camp from late May until the final round of the 2020 season interrupted by the pandemic. of COVID-19.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club looked forward to returning to New Zealand for their fifth-round home game against Manly on April 9.
The NRL will continue to work closely with the Australian and New Zealand governments on the development of a Trans-Tasman travel bubble to allow the team to be based in Auckland for the vast majority of the 2021 season.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo thanked the Warriors for making significant personal sacrifices for the second year in a row.
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“The Warriors are a special club to all of us. They have once again put competition above their own personal interests. Their sacrifices cannot be overstated, on behalf of the Australian Rugby League and Game Commission I want to thank the players and staff for what they are doing for the competition, “he said.
Abdo said the NRL was confident the Warriors would return home for most of the 2021 season.
“We remain committed to the Warriors playing the majority of their season in New Zealand and the recent news about a vaccine and a near zero infection rate in Australia is very positive,” he said.
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“The decision of the club and the playing group gives them some certainty. Currently, part of the team is based in Australia and part in New Zealand.
“The most effective way for the team to become one is in Australia. It also gives the Warriors the best opportunity to prepare for the season ahead.”
George said the Warriors would take the hits, like they did last season.
“It is not what we want to do, but it is what we have to do. Our priority is to make sure we do everything possible to allow our team to be as well prepared as possible for 2021,” he said.
“It is a football decision that must be made now. We cannot afford to speculate on what might or might not happen. We need clarity for our players, staff and families.
“We tried to organize a quarantine facility like other sporting bodies have done to bring our players from Australia to train here as a team, but our request was rejected so we had to adapt.
“We will stay abreast of the border situation and in early March we will decide with the NRL what the best course of action is after the first four rounds, hopefully returning to New Zealand to play at Mount Smart for the first time since 2019 in the round. . five. “
Incoming coach Nathan Brown said he would look to build teamwork on his team when they finally meet at Tamworth next month.
“It’s not ideal to have a split squad with one group in Auckland and another in Kiama, but it has been the only option we have,” he said.
“At the same time, before Christmas, the focus is always on fitness and a little skill work. It’s not until the New Year that we really focus on structure, play style and our combinations before testing. .
“It’s critical to get together as a group, what the Tamworth camp is all about.”
