Click here for match wrap
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks NRL clash at Auckland's Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
After a miraculous turnaround last season, under rookie head coach Andrew Webster, there's a fair bit of expectation around the Auckland-based team heading into 2024.
From their worst-ever record in 2022, they fell just one game short of their third NRL Grand Final and all the talk around Mt Smart is about going even further this season.
If they flew a little under the radar last season, there's no such luxury this time round.
The return of Dally M Medal winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and arrival of Queensland Origin forward Kurt Capewell have boosted their stocks, while the imminent departure of barnstorming front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake - ironically, to the Sharks - adds a little more motivation.
The Warriors depth will be tested in their opening game, with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and second-rower Marata Niukore early casualties, but a soldout home crowd should help balance that out.
Join us at 8pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: Warriors $1.49, Sharks $2.55
'At the moment he's a Warrior': Sharks coach wary of facing new signing Fonua-Blake
Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon admits it's a "strange" situation, with his side running out against new signing Addin Fonua-Blake.
The Warriors front-rower will make the move to the 'Shire' next season, but for now, Fitzgibbon says he's a Warrior and he's wary of him.
"We've got to focus on doing a good job on him, because at the moment, he's a Warrior and he's a strong player, and one of the best front-rowers in the game," Fitzgibbon says.
"He's wearing a Warriors jersey... we'll keep a close grip on him, because he's a good player."
There will be no shortage of banter on the field, with current Warriors halves Shaun Johnson and Luke Metcalf both former Sharks. Fitzgibbon says his side will need to keep a close eye on them.
"They both had strong seasons last year and were part of what was a strong season for the entire club."
With confirmation tonight's match at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium is a sellout, Fitzgibbon is pumped to put on a show.
"We want to play in the big games, big stadiums, full crowds and we kick off with what I think will be a full house, and we are quite excited about that."
"We'll take whatever we can get, as long as it's two points."
