It’s 'Rock Night' at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday night.
So break out your mullet wig, throw on the denim and get along to enjoy a rocking night on and off the field when the Vodafone Warriors take on the Parramatta Eels in this round 18 clash.
Don’t miss your chance to see some of the exciting young talent both teams have to offer, the Eels boasting the brilliant Jarryd Hayne.
Book your tickets today and get a Party Stand ticket for just $10. CLICK HERE for tickets.
BE IN THE PARTY STAND FOR JUST $10
BACK IN BLACK ‘ROCK NIGHT’
Match-Up: Vodafone Warriors v Parramatta Eels
Date: Saturday July 12, 2014
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose, Auckland, NZ
NRL Kick-off: 7.30pm
TIMES
Gates Open: 3pm
NYC Kick-off: v Eels // 3:10pm
NSW Cup Kick-off: v Wentworthville Magpies // 5:10pm
Mini League Kick-off: U/7s Pt Chevalier Pirates v Te Iti Rerea (Hamilton) & U/7s Ellerslie v Tauhare te Maunga (Hamilton) // 6:40pm
Autograph Island: Player autographs at the Vodafone Warriors Tent // 6:45pm
Pre-Game Entertainment: Shine Choir ‘Fix You’ Live Performance // 6:55pm
Pre-Game Entertainment: Whistle Jackets - Live Performance // 7:05pm
SKYCITY Cheer Team: 7:28pm
NRL Kick-off: v Eels // 7:35pm
Half-Time Entertainment: Whistle Jackets - Live Performance // 8:15pm
SKYCITY Cheer Team: 8:25pm
Event Finishes: 9:15pm
GAME DAY DETAILS
Theme: Back in Black - Rock Night
Match Day Hashtag: #BackinBlack #WarriorsForever
Entertainment: It wouldn’t be Rock Night without a Rock Band. So come early to the game and enjoy a live set from the Whistle Jackets rocking out some classic covers mixed with some of their own songs. They will be performing a 20-minute set pre-game and a 10-minute set at half-time.
Game Day Hosts: The Big Voice of the Vodafone Warriors Nik Brown will be guiding you through the night with score updates, in-game commentary and at-game information supported by the lovely Tarsh Ieremia & Johnson Raela from FLAVA on the ground engaging with fans around the field. Get involved with Pukana Cam and show us your best pukana for your chance to win a $100 Canterbury of NZ voucher.
Music: DJ Scotty will be playing the classics this weekend, ACDC, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Tina Turner and the likes bringing the Rock Night to life. Keep an ear out for our NRL player try songs selected by the players themselves, celebrating their try with their favourite song.
Game Day Sponsor: TNT is the Match Day sponsor for the Round 18 match between Vodafone Warriors and Parramatta Eels. TNT will be donating $500 to our charity partner Shine for every try the NRL Vodafone Warriors get.
Charity Partner: This weekend the Vodafone Warriors are getting behind our charity partner Shine to create awareness around domestic violence and creating safer homes around New Zealand everyday. The Shine Choir will be performing pre-game featuring 50 children from Wymondley School in Otara ‘Fix You’ rendition from Coldplay. Shine will have going coin buck collectors around the stadium.
Apparel: The boys are ‘Back in Black’. The team will be wearing the home jersey on match day CLICK HERE to purchase the jersey.
Vodafone Warriors Tent: There’s fun for everyone. This week we have face painting, so come get your Vodafone Warriors face on. There will also be Warriors Forever tattoos and player signings, so come meet the players and get an autograph. Don’t forget to also get yourself into the draw for your chance to win the Vodafone Warriors Road Warrior Suzuki Swift, more information at the Vodafone Warriors Tent located in the North/East corner.
GAME DAY PREVIEWS
NRL
The Vodafone Warriors head into Saturday’s clash on the back of a resurgent run of form. They have posted wins in four of their last five encounters and sit at fourth place on the ladder with 20 points. The visiting Eels also sit at fourth as part of a seven-way tie but the home side possess the advantage on points differential.
The home side’s efforts will be aided by the return of Ben Matulino, who will play off the interchange bench after missing the last two games. They will be without Sam Rapira, though, who has been ruled out after sustaining a back injury and Suaia Matagi will fill his spot.
Parramatta will not be travelling with a full-strength squad, with skipper Tim Mannah scratched due to injury. Willie Tonga will consequently wear the captain’s arm band for the first time. Fullback Jarryd Hayne is also in-question after his State of Origin appearance in Brisbane on Wednesday night. If Hayne plays, he will be one of three Eels players who are in the top-ten for tries scored this season. Semi Radradra leads the league with 15, with Hayne on 11 and Ken Sio on 10.
CLICK HERE for the NRL team list
Head-to-head: Parramatta Eels 19 wins, Vodafone Warriors 13 wins
Last meeting: Parramatta Eels 36 (Semi Radradra 3, Vai Toutai 3, Jarryd Hayne tries; Corey Norman 2 conversions; Joseph Paulo conversions, penalty) defeated Vodafone Warriors 16 (Glen Fisiiahi, Carlos Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei tries; Shaun Johnson conversion, penalty) at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta.
NYC
The Parramatta Eels’ junior outfit have suffered the same fate as their senior counterparts of late, losing back-to-back games before their Round 17 bye. They are still placed fourth on the ladder, however, which is three spots ahead of the Vodafone Junior Warriors. Stacey Jones’ side rode high into last weekend’s bye after a resounding second-half performance against Penrith a fortnight ago, in which they rallied to score 30 unanswered points. They will be eager to pick up on where they left things two weeks ago when they run out onto Mt Smart for the day’s second game.
The cause will be helped by winger Viliami Kaveinga, who will make his long-awaited return to the side after a long lay-off from an injury he suffered in the final regular season game last year. Also returning from injury are Ken Maumalo and Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, who have both been inserted into the back row.
CLICK HERE for the NYC team list
NSW Cup
The Vodafone Warriors’ last game in NSW Cup play came against the first-placed Penrith side and this weekend they will back that up by playing the league’s second-best in the Wentworthville Magpies. The Warriors have been unable to take any points from their last two games, both of which have been at home. Coach Rohan Smith has made changes to right the ship, notably pairing up the Lousi brothers in the front row. Agnatius Paasi will slide back into the second row and Upo Poching will move to the interchange bench. Elsewhere, Sam Cook got the nod to start at halfback ahead of Tuimoala Lolohea. The side will have a formidable offence to counter, which is buoyed by the domineering play of winger Bureta Faraimo, who was already scored 14 tries for the Magpies this year.
CLICK HERE for the NSW Cup team list
MEMBERS ONLY LOUNGE
The Legends Lounge in the East Stand will be open after the match. Members will be able to hear player interviews hosted by former Vodafone Warriors great Monty Betham after the game.
TRANSPORT
You can use regular service public transport to get to and from the Vodafone Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. Penrose Station is just a short walk down O’Rourke Road to the stadium entrance, and regular route buses operate in the area.
Check regular service times and routes by using the AT Journey Planner at https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/journey-planner/. Please note that standard fares apply.
CLICK HERE for more transport information
PARKING
CLICK HERE for parking information
VENUE INFORMATION
Click HERE for conditions of entry and visitor information for Mount Smart Stadium
BROADCAST
TV SKY Sport 2 will be covering all three matches live from 3.00pm and Maori Television will be showing the NRL match delayed at 7.30pm on Sunday
Online NRL Digital Pass (AUS)
LOCAL BARS AND EATERIES
If you are looking to enjoy a meal or go for a drink with your mates then here are a few suggestions:
Restaurants
SKYCITY has the best restaurants to choose from in Auckland including Gusto at the Grand, The Grill, Masu, The Suger Club, DEPOT, Federal Delicatessen, Jade Dragon, Orbit, Fortuna, Bellota and Rebo | More at www.skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants
Wendy’s
Wendy’s – Mt Wellington Hwy, Mt Wellington
Wendy’s – 153 East Tamaki Rd, Otara
Wendy’s – 704 Mt Albert Rd, Royal Oak
Wendy's - 620 Great South Rd, Greenlane
Bars
If you are looking for a bar, then look no further than SKYCITY. With a fantastic selection to choose from including X.O., twentyone, Bellota, Aces Bar, The Deck, Rouge Bar, Sky Lounge and Sammy’s Place, you are sure to find a place perfect for you
More at www.skycityauckland.co.nz/bars
TICKETS
Grab your mates and come along in your best mullet hairstyle to the Party Stand situated in General Admission (North Embankment & Stand) for just $10* for Adults, fees apply. Adults from $20, Children from $10 t&cs apply head to www.ticketek.co.nz
BE IN THE PARTY STAND FOR JUST $10
