GWM Game Day Guide: Honouring heritage
New ground will be broken when the One New Zealand Warriors run out in their 2024 Heritage Round jersey in Saturday’s sold-out 17th-round NRL match against the Brisbane Broncos at Go Media Stadium (5.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: One New Zealand).
The stunning design, unveiled in February, is a replica of the popular away jersey used in the club’s maiden campaign in the competition in 1995.
While the jersey itself is a standout, the unique feature is the absence of a major sponsor’s logo on the front of the playing jersey, never seen before in the 721 matches the Warriors have played until now.
When the jersey was launched, One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris said the decision to leave the logo off had been made deliberately to enable the design to replicate the original.
"The One NZ and Warriors sponsorship is about so much more than a logo on the front of the jersey,” he said at the time.
“We are two great organisations that have united for the last 25 years to create something special. A community, a legacy and a deep bond.”
When it was released in February, the jersey was such a hot item the first shipment sold out in 18 minutes and it has continued to sell exceptionally every time stock has been replenished. It’s certain to be a common sight among fans on hand at a sold-out Go Media Stadium on Saturday.
The 2024 heritage jersey along with a vast array of other previous jerseys worn by supporters will add to a day when the club’s heritage will be palpable.
Match: Warriors v Broncos
Round 17 -
home Team
Warriors
13th Position
away Team
Broncos
7th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Quite apart from the Warriors winding the clock back to 1995 with their playing kit, former players – including some from the 1995 squad - will be at the ground on Saturday for the annual old boys’ reunion. They're scheduled to be presented to the crowd ahead of the main game at 4.25pm.
A tripleheader footballing treat will be kicked off by the One New Zealand Warriors’ Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side taking on the Canberra Raiders at 12.45pm followed by the club’s New South Wales Cup clash against Canberra at 2.40pm before the Warriors-Broncos NRL match at 5.00pm.
