We look at the pros and cons of the Warriors leaving Mt Smart Stadium.
Why they should stay They've been at Mt Smart Stadium for 20 years and it is - without doubt - the home of rugby league. The ground is suited to the 13-man code with the Eastern Standclose to the action (the old running track pushes the Western Stand back a bit further). The Warriors playing at any other ground is just plain wrong.
This season's opening home game at Eden Park against the Dragons showed a glimpse of what the Warriors face away from Mt Smart Stadium. A threatening weather bomb turned the crowds away which produced a morgue-like atmosphere. Wonder what a poor crowd at Albany Stadium is like? Tune into any North Harbour ITM Cup home game. If the Warriors faithful won't travel to Eden Park, why would they head across the bridge to a stadium that is more dofficult to get to?
Why they should go The Warriors don't own Mt Smart Stadium - they rent it. The landlord is telling them to move out (and their new house has to be the one 30km up the road). The Council is right, the ratepayer shouldn't have to cover the costs for three rugby stadiums when the city only needs two.
The Warriors should have access to better facilities across the bridge and despite the fact they will be ditching a fairly new gym - the Millennium Institute of Sport is not far from the Albany ground. North Harbour Stadium is also potentially more accessible for Aucklanders, if you take in ferries and bus lanes.
After having to deal with perennial losers North Harbour Rugby, maybe the Albany area will take to a team that wins a staggering 50 percent of their games and a new fan base will grow.
Plus the place could get a roof. Everyone loves a roof.
