NRL icon Phil Gould has repeated his call for NZ Warriors to play their entire 2023 season at home, as compensation for three seasons spent on the road.
After more than 1000 days, the Auckland-based side returned to their spiritual home of Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday to snap a seven-game losing streak with an emotional 22-2 victory over Wests Tigers.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, the Warriors have been based across the Tasman, trying to create homes away from home to maintain their NRL presence and the integrity of the competition.
On the field, those three seasons - including their 5-11 record in 2022 - have been largely forgettable, but their sacrifice has not gone unappreciated by their peers across the league, many of whom paid tribute, as part of the build-up to the homecoming fixture.
During that time, Gould spent several months as a consultant to the Warriors, before accepting a role as Canterbury Bulldogs general manager, but still insists the NRL must repay their perseverance.
"I'm on record on numerous occasions saying every NRL club should take their home game against NZ Warriors to New Zealand to repay Warriors and their fans for an incredible sacrifice to save our game," he tweeted, after watching the Tigers match from afar.
"Warriors should not have to leave their country at all in 2023. It's only fair."
The NRL has confirmed it will stage the pre-season Māori v Indigenous All Stars fixture at Rotorua next year, part of a strategy to reconnect estranged Kiwi league fans with the Australian competition.
Gould insists that's not enough, but his proposal has drawn a mixed reception on social media, with many fearing the home advantage may make the Warriors title contenders.
"Can you imagine if the Warriors actually won it all in 2023?" laments one. "There'd be a large asterisk beside the title for a lot of people."
Counters another: "Are you putting an asterisk next to their finishing position for the last three seasons, when they’ve played almost all their games away from home?"
Responds Gould: "I think it would be amazing for the promotion of our code in NZ and around the world. Lean towards the positives, son."
The Warriors have a bye next weekend and next face Parramatta Eels across the Tasman on July 15. Their next home game at Mt Smart will see them face Melbourne Storm on July 29.
