mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
They are planning for a Round 16 home game and to sell 2021 memberships...
General Returning to Mt Smart
- Thread starter mt.wellington
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zaggo
Heeeeell yes. Best birthday present I could ask for.
Do you know if that's based on any inside information from the clubs perspective, or more that they're assuming a bubble of sorts will be open by then?
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
No idea sorry.
Was just told by the club that thats what they are planning. I guess its more based on optimisim and if they dont start planning now they wont have time to plan ahead for one if the bubble is opened...
RiceOwl
Has there been any more word on us returning to Mt Smart for the July 2nd game against the Dragons? Anyone know how plausible this is looking?
Mods please let me know if this is being discussed in another thread...
Mods please let me know if this is being discussed in another thread...
Sup42
Unlikely.
They will need two exemptions to even go there...or they would be extremely fool hardy to risk the Warriors and their opponents from returning to Australia quarantine free.
The NRL needs an agreement that should the borders close while the teams are in NZ, that they can be exempt and return quarantine free.
After that, everything else is noise.
Jacinda Adern was rejected when she attempted to get the West Island bogans to commit to a trans national agreement.
The south pacific yanks opted to run the bubble on the states model and therefore consign NZs sovereign partnership to NZ being another state of Australia without special priority.
Advance Austraya Fairies.
Therefore Vlandys needs to talk to NSW and QLD health ministries.
They will need two exemptions to even go there...or they would be extremely fool hardy to risk the Warriors and their opponents from returning to Australia quarantine free.
The NRL needs an agreement that should the borders close while the teams are in NZ, that they can be exempt and return quarantine free.
After that, everything else is noise.
Jacinda Adern was rejected when she attempted to get the West Island bogans to commit to a trans national agreement.
The south pacific yanks opted to run the bubble on the states model and therefore consign NZs sovereign partnership to NZ being another state of Australia without special priority.
Advance Austraya Fairies.
Therefore Vlandys needs to talk to NSW and QLD health ministries.
zaggo
The Breakers are returning to NZ for a few games at the tail-end of their season (late May) so I don't think there's any government regulation stopping them.
I also read that some Warriors staff are returning temporarily during our bye week, and whilst that obviously isn't the same as players coming back it does suggest some confidence within the organisation that the bubble is robust enough that we won't end up missing half our back-office team.
I'm not quite willing to stake the house on it but I'd be surprised at this stage if we weren't playing the July 2 game at Mt Smart.
I also read that some Warriors staff are returning temporarily during our bye week, and whilst that obviously isn't the same as players coming back it does suggest some confidence within the organisation that the bubble is robust enough that we won't end up missing half our back-office team.
I'm not quite willing to stake the house on it but I'd be surprised at this stage if we weren't playing the July 2 game at Mt Smart.
Sup42
There is nothing stopping travel.
The issue is if the borders close in an outbreak and teams are forced to do quarantine to get back into Australia.
That is what is at risk.
Whether you can rely on officials, without an agreement in place, to suddenly give an exemption to two sports teams, as a border closure is live.
The obviious thing needed here is a pre arrangement.
Lance155
There has to be an exemption otherwise we could not come back for years right? Victoria gave an AFL team exemption from the recebt Perth lockdown. They just had to go into a bubble but could still train and play
Sup42
Not years no.
The current situation is for this year only.
Countries will be more robust when the Vaccine roll outs hit over seventy five percent of the population.
That is scheduled to be by the end of this year for both countries.
The Crossing between countries is a little trickier than from Perth to another state in Australia.
Don't get me wrong, it can be done, and in principle I would support it now. If you had of asked me months ago, I was vehemently opposed.
However both countries have demonstrated they can contact trace their way out of outbreaks now that they have the experience (a shared experience, Aussie and NZ talk Covid daily).
Perhaps when the mass roll out is really pumping there might be a window later in the year to do this.
Certainly if we could go more than just a few weeks without Covid in both countries it would be easier to set up.
But we cannot.
Neither Aussie nor NZ are covid free at the same time for any reassuring length of time.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Agree with Sup42 on most issues.
It would take a 100% Government guarantee that both teams can return regardless of the border situation. Not impossible if they are happy to roll out the red carpet for the Wiggles but setting precedents is never easy.
Personally if I was running the NRL I wouldn't risk it. As great as it would be to have a home game you are risking the whole competition having two teams potentially locked down here if worse case scenario eventuates. You also have to factor in the Australian Government and State Government side of things.
The risk to broadcasting revenues too huge a risk IMO.
If it does happen its going to be such a crazy event and one that will rival the intensity of the first game in 1995. Complete sell out that should give the England v MMT Semi Final attendance a run for its money. The club will be desperate for the cash injection.
Also be the first time our Aussie recruits will set foot on Mt Smart as locals and Walsh's first time in NZ...
It would take a 100% Government guarantee that both teams can return regardless of the border situation. Not impossible if they are happy to roll out the red carpet for the Wiggles but setting precedents is never easy.
Personally if I was running the NRL I wouldn't risk it. As great as it would be to have a home game you are risking the whole competition having two teams potentially locked down here if worse case scenario eventuates. You also have to factor in the Australian Government and State Government side of things.
The risk to broadcasting revenues too huge a risk IMO.
If it does happen its going to be such a crazy event and one that will rival the intensity of the first game in 1995. Complete sell out that should give the England v MMT Semi Final attendance a run for its money. The club will be desperate for the cash injection.
Also be the first time our Aussie recruits will set foot on Mt Smart as locals and Walsh's first time in NZ...
Just imagining your last sentence has put a smile on my face. I will attend the first home game rain or shine.
Btw how does Aussie and their state politics work? I would think the actual government can override individual states?
Miket12
Problem is Neve likes the Wiggles.... not the Warriors.
Lance155
Within Aus state border lockdowns the Nrl has had exemptions so Aus govt would be willing. We lockdown with a couple of cases so surely 1 or 2 teams travelling would be so low risk, you can also just put them in a bubble
gREVUS
Long live the Rainbows and Butterflies
Contributor
at the moment the NRL arent in a bubble. If you want the warriors back in NZ with gaurantees, then the whole NRL would have to go back into a bubble. I cant see that ever happening.
So far the NRL have avoided local lockdowns by having the teams run for the border at the first mention of a closure. Teams have been lucky so far. It could easily change
Billyspleen75
Is there a difference in the way the NRL are approaching this that isn't an issue for the Breakers or Phoenix coming home, or for the upcoming Super Rugby Trans-Tasman?
Or are the NRL more cautious than the other sports?
gREVUS
Long live the Rainbows and Butterflies
Contributor
no idea, the local lock downs are fast, so theres that to be said, and so far none have been caught out. This weekend they had an issue in Western australia, so kicked all AFL fans out of the stadium but let the game go ahead and given they havent closed boarders yet, i imagine both teams will have scarpered with games now being played out of state until it settles again.
In Qld when they had their lockdown they only did Brisbane, Gold Coast was left open, so a quick punt either up the road or down (anywhere theres an airport) and your safe until it happens nearer you. at least thats what the broncos did.
Worried2Death
Simple solution, sign Robbie Rakete to add some speed to the wings, solves both problems.
Miket12
Exclusive: Why Warriors are abandoning plans to return home in June
The Warriors have shelved plans to return home in June – and could be based across the Tasman for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season.The Herald understands the club is working through the final details of plans to extend their stay in Australia, for at least two months beyond the current deadline.
They are still hopeful of one or two games at Mt Smart before the end of the season, but they would be 'fly-in, fly-out' matches, with both teams on New Zealand soil for only a few days.
The Warriors, who face Parramatta on Sunday in Brisbane as part of the NRL's Magic Round, had earlier planned to vacate their Central Coast base after the round 15 match against Newcastle on June 19.
Players and staff would fly home in the days following the match, then start the process of re-establishing, or in some cases beginning, their lives in New Zealand.
The round 16 clash with the Dragons on July 2 was previously earmarked as the first Mt Smart match.
That idea is now firmly off the table.
There has been a series of meetings between players, coaches, staff and senior management over the past two weeks to discuss and communicate the latest strategy.
While there had been some hope of a June return when the transtasman bubble was announced on 19 April, that has been steadily extinguished.
The random Covid-19 outbreaks in four Australian states since then have been an illustration of the ongoing uncertainty, and the hazards that would be involved in decamping from their Terrigal base.
It's a risk that the club is not prepared to take, given the drastic ramifications of being stuck on either side of the Tasman following a sudden border closure.
As a group, it's believed the players are in favour of the decision to stay on.
As much as there is a desire to be back in New Zealand, reunited with extended family and friends and playing at their home base, they are aware of the stability provided by remaining in Australia, for on and off field reasons.
While the current situation is far from ideal, it has helped that partners and children are settled in Australia, while the accommodation and training arrangements are superior to last season.
he idea of being separated again from immediate families – if something went wrong after a relocation – is difficult to contemplate for the playing group.
Coach Nathan Brown has also been heavily involved in the process, and is unlikely to want to risk uprooting the team, especially while they remain strong contenders for the top eight, given the fine margins in high performance sport.
It's likely the NRL would also prefer the Warriors to stay, given the risk-reward equation.
The Warriors haven't completely given up on relocating before the end of the season, but the chances are getting smaller with every passing week, given the lead times involved with the NRL, broadcasters, stadiums, their accommodation, players, staff and their families.
There is still hope of one or two homecoming games in Auckland. They would be treated as away matches, but give the chance for local fans to see the team, corporates to get some mileage from a game day experience and the club to generate some much needed gate revenue.
Given the time frames, games in August are most likely. The clash with the Sharks on August 7 could draw a massive crowd, given the presence of former favourite Shaun Johnson, who hasn't faced the Warriors at Mt Smart since he left the club after the 2018 season.
The other scheduled 'home' games that month are against the Bulldogs (August 15) and Raiders (August 27).
The last time the Warriors were sighted at Mt Smart was August 30 2019, hosting the Rabbitohs.
They opened the 2020 season away at Newcastle, then were stuck across the Tasman after New Zealand's border suddenly closed, which meant their scheduled round two home game against the Raiders was moved to Australia.
They have been based across the Tasman ever since, forced to give up all 12 home matches last season and are set to forfeit at least 10 in 2021.
Even though the NRL has provided generous financial assistance, the situation has cost the club millions in lost revenue.
Exclusive: Why Warriors are abandoning plans to return home
The round 16 clash with the Dragons was previously earmarked as the first Mt Smart match.
john nick
Makes sense given the ramifications of getting stuck over here for the Warriors or a visiting team.Anyway at this time of the year Central Coast would be a great joint to be stuck inExclusive: Why Warriors are abandoning plans to return home in June
The Warriors have shelved plans to return home in June – and could be based across the Tasman for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season.
The Herald understands the club is working through the final details of plans to extend their stay in Australia, for at least two months beyond the current deadline.
They are still hopeful of one or two games at Mt Smart before the end of the season, but they would be 'fly-in, fly-out' matches, with both teams on New Zealand soil for only a few days.
The Warriors, who face Parramatta on Sunday in Brisbane as part of the NRL's Magic Round, had earlier planned to vacate their Central Coast base after the round 15 match against Newcastle on June 19.
Players and staff would fly home in the days following the match, then start the process of re-establishing, or in some cases beginning, their lives in New Zealand.
The round 16 clash with the Dragons on July 2 was previously earmarked as the first Mt Smart match.
That idea is now firmly off the table.
There has been a series of meetings between players, coaches, staff and senior management over the past two weeks to discuss and communicate the latest strategy.
While there had been some hope of a June return when the transtasman bubble was announced on 19 April, that has been steadily extinguished.
The random Covid-19 outbreaks in four Australian states since then have been an illustration of the ongoing uncertainty, and the hazards that would be involved in decamping from their Terrigal base.
It's a risk that the club is not prepared to take, given the drastic ramifications of being stuck on either side of the Tasman following a sudden border closure.
As a group, it's believed the players are in favour of the decision to stay on.
As much as there is a desire to be back in New Zealand, reunited with extended family and friends and playing at their home base, they are aware of the stability provided by remaining in Australia, for on and off field reasons.
While the current situation is far from ideal, it has helped that partners and children are settled in Australia, while the accommodation and training arrangements are superior to last season.
he idea of being separated again from immediate families – if something went wrong after a relocation – is difficult to contemplate for the playing group.
Coach Nathan Brown has also been heavily involved in the process, and is unlikely to want to risk uprooting the team, especially while they remain strong contenders for the top eight, given the fine margins in high performance sport.
It's likely the NRL would also prefer the Warriors to stay, given the risk-reward equation.
The Warriors haven't completely given up on relocating before the end of the season, but the chances are getting smaller with every passing week, given the lead times involved with the NRL, broadcasters, stadiums, their accommodation, players, staff and their families.
There is still hope of one or two homecoming games in Auckland. They would be treated as away matches, but give the chance for local fans to see the team, corporates to get some mileage from a game day experience and the club to generate some much needed gate revenue.
Given the time frames, games in August are most likely. The clash with the Sharks on August 7 could draw a massive crowd, given the presence of former favourite Shaun Johnson, who hasn't faced the Warriors at Mt Smart since he left the club after the 2018 season.
The other scheduled 'home' games that month are against the Bulldogs (August 15) and Raiders (August 27).
The last time the Warriors were sighted at Mt Smart was August 30 2019, hosting the Rabbitohs.
They opened the 2020 season away at Newcastle, then were stuck across the Tasman after New Zealand's border suddenly closed, which meant their scheduled round two home game against the Raiders was moved to Australia.
They have been based across the Tasman ever since, forced to give up all 12 home matches last season and are set to forfeit at least 10 in 2021.
Even though the NRL has provided generous financial assistance, the situation has cost the club millions in lost revenue.
Exclusive: Why Warriors are abandoning plans to return home
The round 16 clash with the Dragons was previously earmarked as the first Mt Smart match.www.nzherald.co.nz
Wigan Warrior
A financial nightmare for the club though.
You would hope that the other clubs would forfeit their home game next year and allow us to play home matches in Auckland and away games elsewhere in NZ (with a split pot) as a thank you and to help the club make (and save) a little bit of money.
You would hope that the other clubs would forfeit their home game next year and allow us to play home matches in Auckland and away games elsewhere in NZ (with a split pot) as a thank you and to help the club make (and save) a little bit of money.
