Waikato's Rugby League fan base are in for a real treat. On February 5th, 2004 a pre-season game against The St George / Illawarra Steel Dragons has been slated to kick off in Waikato Stadium. The perseverance

This is a first for the recently upgraded facility, as it is the first premiere grade Rugby League match to be played in the stadium, but by comments by Stadium Management Board Chair Peter Bos it could be the first of many...

"We certainly hope that this is a significant step toward more rugby league fixtures at Waikato Stadium. This is a fantastic opportunity to show case our venue as a superb ground for spectacles of this magnitude and convince the Vodafone Warriors to come back."

 Targeting Rugby League matches makes good economic sense since; like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - the Waikato region boasts a strong Rugby League support base.

The Waikato region has also spawned such talents as Tawera Nikau, Wairangi Koopu, Lance Hohiaia,  and Quentin Pongia all of whom have proven that Waikato players are good enough foot it with the worlds best, by competing in the NRL club competition. The game will kick off at 5:00pm

Posted 11th December, 2003

Waikato Stadium

 Image obtained from www.waikatostadium.co.nz