Rugby league is not coming home.
NZ Warriors fans will have to wait for a glimpse of their beloved side back at their spiritual home of Mt Smart Stadium, with confirmation that next month's long-awaited return has been called off.
Sydney's recent COVID-19 resurgence has forced the Warriors and 11 other NRL clubs into three Queensland hubs for the foreseeable future.
On Wednesday, the Kiwi NRL side will move to the Gold Coast, where they will share a base with Parramatta Eels, Canterbury Bulldogs, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders, and remain until the end of the season.
With 77 new cases reported in the region on Sunday, chief executive Cameron George says the club has no choice but to abandon its NZ comeback against the Bulldogs, scheduled for August 15.
"We were all desperately looking forward to coming home for the game, but the fact is we’re in the middle of a new crisis, which leaves us with no other decision, but to call the game off,” George says.
"While this is a huge blow for us as a club, as well as for all our members, fans, families and sponsors, there is simply too much risk and uncertainty.
"We appreciate the support the NRL gave us trying to make this game possible, but we’re committed to doing all we can to protect the competition and our players."
George says the priority is now ensuring the team can all return to New Zealand at the end of the competition, which based on their current trajectory, would be after the match against Gold Coast Titans on September 5.
The two other Queensland hubs will be located on the Sunshine Coast - which will host Penrith Panthers, Newcastle Knights, Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles - and Brisbane, where St George Dragons, Cronulla Sharks and Wests Tigers will stay.
Mt Smart Stadium was close to sold out for the game, which would have been Warriors' first at their Penrose base in almost two years.
The Warriors last played there against South Sydney Rabbitohs on August 30, 2019, before the pandemic saw them relocate permanently across the Tasman two rounds into the 2020 season.
The new venue for the Bulldogs clash has yet to be confirmed. Details on ticket refunds will also to be announced in the coming days.
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