With the uncertainty of the Transtasman bubble, the Warriors are looking into a move of their home base to Redcliffe, Queensland. Video / NZ Herald
A return home next season for the Warriors is looking increasingly unlikely with pre-season set to begin in November. But a new home base has emerged for the New Zealand club, reports Michael Burgess.
The Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe is firming as the Warriors' likely base in 2022.
A finaldecision is still a few weeks away, but the Herald understands that Redcliffe has been prominent in the discussions with the NRL.
It's believed to be one of the preferred options of the governing body.
The Warriors would prefer to return to New Zealand, but that is all but off the table, due to the ongoing uncertainty around the border and transtasman bubble.
With pre-season set to begin in November, it is impossible to see how Auckland could be in the equation, at least for the first half of next season.
Of the possible Australian alternatives, Brisbane, and especially Redcliffe, shines like a beacon.
The Warriors already have a relationship with the Queensland Cup team, with their reserve grade players turning out for the Dolphins over the past two seasons.
Their NRL game against the Bulldogs there two weeks ago, was a big success and illustrated the potential.
The stadium is an ideal size (11,500 capacity), complete with a thriving leagues club. It would offer a permanent structure, after the Warriors have utilised temporary facilities and council grounds over the last two seasons.
And Brisbane would be ideal. The NRL are close to confirming an expansion team in the Queensland capital for 2023 (the Dolphins, Jets or Firehawks) and it would suit them to stage as many games as possible there next season.
From a Warriors perspective, there is a sizeable expatriate Kiwi population and promising commercial opportunities, as well as an international airport.
Warriors coach Nathan Brown. Photo / Photosport
The club made the most of their Central Coast base over the last two seasons and received great community support.
But the relatively small population meant commercial options were limited, along with the potential crowd. The area also has entrenched support for the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Knights.
There aren't many other options.
Sydney is a saturated market with nine NRL clubs and has ongoing Covid issues. Newcastle is a parochial one-club city and the likes of Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are too small.
In Queensland, Townsville is remote (and Cowboys country) while the Sunshine Coast has, like Gosford, a modest population. The Gold Coast has some advantages, but the Titans are unlikely to countenance that.
Warriors coach Nathan Brown indicated on Wednesday that a decision wasn't too far away.
"There are a number of possibilities at the moment [but] everything is speculation," said Brown. "We would like to know sooner rather than later, because there is a lot of people's lives at stake, with where they are going to be living, with families and kids. Hopefully they will have a decision in a week or two weeks."
Brown said stability is a key factor, after two relocations this season and the squad split across Auckland and New South Wales for pre-season.
"There are number of things on the table," said Brown. "Our preferred option would be Auckland but obviously [it depends on how] things go with the borders; at the moment we can't even go home.
"There are many things to take into account, and what is safest for the guys and their families so we can have some stability. [The] last thing we want is families moving around. That is certainly not ideal."
Ahead of Friday's game with Canberra, Brown said the team had recovered well from Sunday's physical clash with the Broncos.
Chanel Harris-Tavita is being rested after a knock to his foot, while Josh Curran has to pass concussion protocols. Kodi Nikorima, who missed the Brisbane game for personal reasons, will be used at dummy half.
Brown is confident the Warriors can lift – despite the short turnaround – but wary of the rising Raiders.
"Their past six weeks of footy have been very strong," said Brown. "They have got themselves somewhere back to where they were in previous seasons."
