Warriors fans are up in arms after the team’s request for an earlier kick-off in their home elimination final against the Panthers was denied by the NRL. The Warriors will host the four-time defending premiers at 4:05pm AEST (6:05pm local time) on Saturday, with the winner advancing and the loser eliminated.
The Warriors had asked the NRL for a 5.05pm kick-off (local time) to avoid a clash with the All Blacks, who host world champions South Africa at 7.05pm in Wellington. The Kiwi club had hoped fans wouldn’t have to choose between watching the Warriors and All Blacks, but the rugby will now kick-off just an hour after the NRL game starts.
The Warriors and Panthers game will clash with the All Blacks with a 6.05pm start. Image: Getty
It means many fans are now likely to switch off the Warriors at half-time and focus on the All Blacks. Warriors CEO Cameron George had told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I’d hate to think people watching at home or in clubs and pubs are forced to decide what code to watch midway through our game.”
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But despite George’s plea, the NRL has left the Warriors and Panthers game as a 6.05pm start in Auckland. The NRL has seemingly opted to prioritise the wishes of Channel 9 bosses, who can now show the Wallabies v Argentina Test at 2pm, followed by the Warriors and Panthers at 4pm.
Had the NRL game been moved to 3pm, it would have resulted in Nine having to show the different codes on two different channels. Now that the NRL is at 4pm, the game will flow straight into the 6pm news – a huge ratings winner for the network. Had the NRL game finished at 5pm, they would have potentially lost viewers in the one-hour gap between the news bulletin.
Canberra Raiders get wish to play on Sunday
Another option for the NRL would have been to play the Warriors and Panthers game on Sunday afternoon – which is the traditional time-slot for an elimination final. But Canberra coach Ricky Stuart had demanded the Sunday afternoon game to give the minor premiers as much time as possible after they were forced to play on the final day of the regular season.
Stuart was adamant the Raiders shouldn’t be forced into a six-day turnaround to face a red-hot Broncos team coming off a nine-day break. It means someone had to have their request denied, and the NRL favoured the minor premiers over the sixth-placed Warriors.
Captains of the eight NRL finals teams pose with the premiership trophy in Sydney. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)
But it hasn’t gone down well across the ditch, with Warriors fans believing it’s another example of the NRL not caring about them. There’s been anger in previous seasons about the scheduling of Warriors’ finals games, including 8pm time-slots in Australia that mean games don’t start until 10pm NZ time and finish around midnight.
Kiwi commentator Elliott Smith wrote on social media on Sunday: “Whatever the Warriors do, it’ll never be enough for the NZ market to not be held in complete disregard by the NRL/Aussie TV. Warriors ask not to go up against the All Blacks (to allow fans of both to watch both) and get the cold shoulder. Just pawns in an Aussie TV product.”
A fan wrote: “Warriors playoff on at the same time as the All Blacks, tells you everything you need to know about the NRL.” While a third person added: “The NRL scheduling the Warriors to play at the same time as the All Blacks is ridiculously stupid, and probably the most solid evidence yet that they have something against the Warriors. Maybe in Australia rugby league takes priority, but nothing will top ABs and Boks in NZ.”
Warriors scheduled to play at the same time as the All Blacks vs South Africa. For all the talk league heads chat about the sport potentially rivalling union in NZ, the league could not value that market less. https://t.co/mHxF55lei5
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) September 7, 2025
Well put Elliott. I don’t watch League, but zillions on both sides of the ditch at least follow both and wouldn’t want to miss either.
NRL arrogance ignores the fans?
— Merv Robertson (@MervRobertson) September 7, 2025
They are constrained by other factors to some degree but I find it hard to believe it couldn’t be 3pm local time instead of 4.
— Max Power (@jrodbourn) September 7, 2025
All Blacks and Warriors clashing next week
What a scheduling blunder
— 𝒦𝒶𝓃𝑒 💜💛🇳🇿 (@LALPrime) September 7, 2025
What is the @NRL doing putting the warriors game on when the All Blacks are playing? It’s the worst decision possible. Just kick off an hour earlier..
— Luke Boyadjian (@boyawho) September 7, 2025
NRL schedule for Week 1 of finals series
Melbourne Storm (2) v Canterbury Bulldogs (3) – Friday 7.50pm, AAMI Park
Warriors (6) v Penrith Panthers (7) – Saturday 4.05pm (6.05pm local), Go Media Stadium
Cronulla Sharks (5) v Sydney Roosters (8) – Saturday 7.50pm, Shark Park
Canberra Raiders (1) v Brisbane Broncos (4) – Sunday 4.05pm, GIO Stadium
with AAP