The New Zealand Warriors are making the Central Coast their home away from home in 2021 — and they are showing the same pure class that saw the team become the darlings of the competition last season.
The Warriors have again been forced to farewell their families and homes andare stuck in Australia until at least Round 16 this season, three months longer than they were originally expecting to.
The Warriors have been forced to set up camp in Gosford as a result of the uncertainty of the transtasman COVID-19 travel bubble.
The Warriors marked their connection with Central Coast Stadium and the area with a traditional Kapa Haka performed by people from the local Maori community before their season-opener against the Titans on Saturday.
The traditional dance proudly showcased their culture and heritage through the ceremony and had the local performers provide an honour guard for the two teams as they ran out.
NRL great Benji Marshall told Fox League before the game the Warriors "will be pumped for this" as a result of the pre-game presentation.
The Warriors marked their connection with Central Coast Stadium and the area with a traditional Kapa Haka. Photo / Getty
The gesture comes after the Warriors performed a memorable haka for the local Tamworth community after the club was able to complete its COVID-19 isolation period last year.
The Warriors gave a special thank you by performing the haka as they left the NSW town in May.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are reportedly pursuing avenues to increase their allotted home games at the back end of the season as a result of playing so many "home" games in Australia before their return to New Zealand in Round 16.
The club is reportedly also pushing for the NRL to have Australian teams take their own home games against the Warriors over to New Zealand.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said before the match that he "hoped" the Warriors would be able to return to New Zealand soon.
