GWM Game Day Guide: Commemorating Anzac Day

Bringing rugby league and Anzac Day together has been an annual tradition for the One New Zealand Warriors since 2009 but it’s even more special this time as the club commemorates the occasion at Go Media Stadium for just the second time.

It comes nine years after a memorable day in 2015 when the Warriors were part of an Anzac Day programme which saw games played consecutively in Auckland, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to mark 100 years since the Gallipoli Landings.

The Titans were also the opponents that day when a sun-drenched Mount Smart Stadium provided the stage for the Anzac ceremony followed by a rugby league contest which saw Gold Coast hold off a fast-finishing home side to win 32-28.

While the result was disappointing for the One New Zealand Warriors and their fans, the day itself was spectacular on so many of levels.

As much and more is anticipated again on Thursday.

The two teams will be brought onto the field a little before 3.45pm for the official Anzac ceremony led by the Royal New Zealand Navy including the Ode of Remembrance and the playing of The Last Post. Click here for the full story about the New Zealand Defence Force and the One New Zealand Warriors collaborating to stage the occasion.

After gates open at 1.30pm, there’ll be a women’s match between the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand Police (1.45pm kick-off).

A Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter will deliver the match ball to Go Media Stadium, there’ll be performances by the New Zealand Army band and a RNZAF military dog display at halftime in the NRL match.