Warriors moved to Eden Park for Knights finals showdown

The New Zealand Warriors' elimination final against the Newcastle Knights has been relocated to Eden Park following their defeat in the first week of finals. Although the Warriors initially preferred to play at their home ground, Mt Smart Stadium, Eden Park, which can hold 50,000 spectators, was chosen due to its modern facilities.

The match is scheduled for next Sunday at 6:05pm local time (4:05pm AEST). This will mark a historic moment for the Warriors as they host their first NRL final at Eden Park. The NRL had confirmed the venue for the elimination final between the Warriors and Newcastle in week two of the finals. The Warriors had initially hoped to play at Mt Smart, where they have a strong local following and where they won their last final.

However, Eden Park's larger capacity and modern amenities made it the more suitable choice. The Warriors have faced injury concerns ahead of the match, with striker Leka Halasima missing due to a hamstring injury and prop Jackson Ford's return from a 12-week pectoral tear being uncertain. Despite these setbacks, the Warriors entered the game with a 12-8 halftime lead, but struggled to contain the Dolphins' superstar centre, Herbie Farnworth, who posed a significant threat during the game.