The New Zealand Warriors have been the unsung heroes of the NRL in the last few years, having made huge sacrifices to keep the game alive during the

Key Highlights :

1. The NRL has been slammed for preliminary final scheduling that will force New Zealand fans to stay up until midnight to see their team's preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos.

2. The Warriors were forced to stay out of New Zealand for the best part of three seasons because of the Covid pandemic, calling the NSW Central Coast and Redcliffe in Queensland in home.

3. Back at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland fulltime again in 2023, the Warriors have been the darlings of the NRL season.

4. Favourite son Shaun Johnson returned home and discovered career-best form, the Warriors surged to a top-four finish and now have a real shot at a grand final and a maiden NRL premiership.

5. It has been a major lift for the NZ footy-loving community with the catch cry 'up the Wahs' adopted by thousands of long-suffering and new supporters alike.

6. Shaun Johnson (centre) has found peak form in 2023 as the New Zealand Warriors mound a genuine charge at the NRL premiership.

7. Supporters will have to stay up late to watch their side in the preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos, with kick-off scheduled for close to 10pm time in NZST.

8. With the two-hour time difference between Australia's east coast and New Zealand, that 7.50pm AEST kick-off means viewers in the Shaky Isles will be up very late to catch all the action.

9. Senior footy journalist David Riccio said it was a failed opportunity to get maximum value for the game out of the Warriors' surge in popularity.

10. 'We need to have a grasp on what is happening in New Zealand in relation to the growth of the game,' Riccio said on SEN.

     The Warriors have been based on the NSW Central Coast and Redcliffe in Queensland for the best part of three seasons, but returned to their home ground at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland in 2023. With favourite son Shaun Johnson finding career-best form, the Warriors have surged to a top-four finish and are now in a real position to make a grand final and win their first NRL premiership. This has been a major boost for the NZ footy-loving community, with thousands of long-suffering and new fans alike embracing the team and the 'up the Wahs' catch cry.

     However, the NRL has done the Warriors' fans no favours by scheduling the preliminary final kick-off at 7:50pm AEST, meaning those watching in New Zealand will have to stay up until almost 10pm to catch all the action. Senior footy journalist David Riccio has slammed the decision, arguing that this was a missed opportunity to capitalise on the unprecedented interest in the Warriors and the growth of the game in New Zealand. He said the NRL should have foreshadowed the change and pivoted to cater for this moment in time, noting that there is a groundswell of momentum with first-time supporters of the game buying tickets to watch the Warriors play.

     The Warriors were given an afternoon kickoff in their first final against Penrith and an early kickoff when they returned home to play Newcastle in week two, but have been given no concessions in Brisbane for the preliminary final. This has been met with outrage from Warriors fans, who argue that it should be earlier regardless of whether the Warriors are playing or not.

     Despite the late night, Warriors fans are remaining optimistic and are looking forward to the potential for a Grand Final. While the NRL has been slammed for the scheduling, the Warriors' success has been a major boost for the game and will hopefully be a catalyst for further growth in New Zealand.

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