Vodafone Warriors NRL, NYC and development players face an intensive schedule of preseason trial matches from this weekend on.
In the space of 16 days, the NRL squad will line up three times against NRL opposition, starting with next Thursday night’s (February 12) match-up with beaten 2008 grand finalist Melbourne in Hamilton.
It will be the first time the club’s top side has appeared at Waikato Stadium since back-to-back “away” games there against Parramatta in 2005 and 2006.
On February 22, the NRL side will be on show again for a trial against North Queensland at North Harbour Stadium before backing up with a final build-up match against Gold Coast in Lismore on February 28.
The schedule will allow coach Ivan Cleary to have a look at the club’s new signings including ex-Brisbane winger Denan Kemp, Cowboys second rower Jacob Lillyman and Broncos standoff/centre Joel Moon as well as former Melbourne halfback Liam Foran and returning club legend Stacey Jones.
The club’s 2009 NRL programme starts against Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, March 14, an occasion which could be highlighted by a 300-100 double – captain Steve Price’s 300th first-grade match and the 100th career game for World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Evarn Tuimavave.
The Tony Iro-coached Vodafone Junior Warriors also open their trials campaign in Hamilton next Thursday when they face a Waikato Invitation side.
Iro will use NYC squad players not involved in that match in another trial against Hawkes Bay in Napier on February 14. The next major NYC preseason match will be against the Auckland Vulcans at North Harbour Stadium on February 22, a clash which will also serve as a trial for the Vulcans as they eye the New South Wales Cup season.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors will then line up in Lismore on February 28, facing the Titans’ NYC side.
Threaded around the club’s NRL and NYC trials will be a series of games for the Vodafone Warriors’ development squad.
The full programme (subject to change) is:
Saturday, February 7 - Kaitaia
Warriors Development v Northland (5.00pm kick-off)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – WAIKATO STADIUM, HAMILTON
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Waikato Invitation XIII (5.30pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne Storm (7.30pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 14 – Tremain Field, Napier
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Hawkes Bay (2.00pm kick-off)
Sunday, February 15 – Murray Halberg Park, Mt Albert
Warriors Development v Marist (2.30pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 21 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Welltec (2.30pm kick-off)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, ALBANY
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Auckland Vulcans (2.15pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys (4.00pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 28 – Venue TBC
Vodafone Warriors Selection (NRL/NYC players not travelling to Gold Coast) v Auckland Vulcans (kick-off TBC)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – OAKES OVAL, LISMORE
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (3.50pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (7.30pm kick-off)
Sunday, March 1 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Mt Albert (2.30pm kick-off)
Wednesday, March 4 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v New Zealand Rugby League Academy (5.00pm kick-off)
Saturday, March 7 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Richmond (2.30pm kick-off)
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