22 Aug 2011

Warriors boss says venue change for finals impractical

6:40 pm on 22 August 2011

Changing the venue for the Warriors likely opening National Rugby League finals match to avoid a clash with the opening of the Rugby World Cup would be impractical, says the club's chief executive Wayne Scurrah.

If the Warriors reamain in the top four they'll host the first match in the NRL finals series a fortnight on Friday at Mt Smart stadium, wiht the World Cup also kicking off that night with the All Blacks playing Tonga, at Eden Park.

The two games will put a strain on Auckland infrastructure but CEO Wayne Scurrah says the possible clash of dates has been been known for months and the club's working with Auckland Transport.

He says the NRL draw was done before the World Cup match schedule and the NRL was asked to consider switching the first round dates but couldn't because it would've affected the other teams adversely.