Warriors head coach Andrew Webster has hinted he will be bringing a strong team for the game.
McLean Park in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor
The Warriors last had a pre-season sellout in 2024 at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium, with a crowd of about 14,000.
Last year, roughly 23,000 fans turned out for the pre-season match against the Melbourne Storm in Hamilton, falling just short of a sellout of that larger ground.
McLean Park is owned by Napier City Council. Events manager Kevin Murphy said ticket sales were very pleasing heading into the match.
“This is about what we would expect when one of New Zealand’s most popular sporting teams comes to town, especially [against] a club like Manly that also has a strong following.
“The Warriors always draw big crowds, and when you add in travelling supporters and local league fans, it is no surprise we are tracking towards a sellout.”
He said organisers “are over halfway” towards the 15,500 target.
“We are about 90% of the stands sold, which is important because people do like sitting in the stands, and if people don’t act soon they will miss out on getting a stand seat, and then we have plenty of seats left on the embankment.”
The Warriors played a regular-season match in Napier for the first time in 2023, against the Broncos, which attracted a sold-out crowd of about 15,600.
Webster said the Warriors’ pre-season training was going well and the team was looking forward to playing in Hawke’s Bay, the home of former captain Tohu Harris, who will be at the match.
“We expect to bring a strong squad to Napier with many of our experienced players as well as some exciting young talent.”
Manly has some history in Hawke’s Bay after they took on a Hawke’s Bay Invitational XIII at Nelson Park in Hastings in 1992.
