Wests Tigers will face the New Zealand Warriors in a trial match at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei on March 2, 2019.
The trial match will feature as Wests Tigers' second trial match in preparation for the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership season, with a strong side set to feature on the day.
The club's Intrust Super Premiership side, Western Suburbs Magpies, will also face the Warriors on the day as they look to build on their 2018 campaign.
The trial match will see current New Zealand national Coach Michael Maguire face off against long-time Kiwis Coach Stephen Kearney before the two sides meet again later that month in Round 2 of the season at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Whangarei match-up offers a tantalising prospect for fans with the as many as 18 current or past Kiwis potentially being on show in the game.
Esan Marsters, Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer and Elijah Taylor (who was brought up in Herekino in the far north of New Zealand) have all don the black jumper at some point in their careers, along with Warriors players Ken Maumalo, Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale, Shaun Johnson, Adam Blair, Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali'i, Leeson Ah Mau, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Isaac Luke and Tohu Harris.
Other New Zealand-born players in the current Wests Tigers squad include Michael Chee Kam, Josh Aloiai and Thomas Mikaele, who were all born in Auckland.
Wests Tigers will confirm its full 2019 trial match schedule shortly with fixtures for the club's NRL, Jersey Flegg, Intrust Super Premiership and Tarsha Gale sides.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS v WESTS TIGERS
Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei
2:15pm — ISP, New Zealand Warriors vs. Western Suburbs Magpies
5:00pm — NRL, New Zealand Warriors vs. Wests Tigers
(Note: All times are listed in local NZST; subtract two hours for AEST)
Tickets are available from www.ticketrocket.co.nz (click here)
- Grandstand Seating — Adult ($30), Child ($15)
- General Admission — Adult ($15), Child ($10)
