Although some will brush that off, it does matter. Players like familiarity, they thrive on familiarity, especially when times are tough. They know the angles – especially the kickers – which are banked in the memory, while their peripheral vision is enough in the high-pressure moments.
The Warriors at an Eden Park training session. Photo / Photosport.
Being at Eden Park probably helps the Knights. The bigger ground isn’t as intimidating, with a less gladiatorial atmosphere, simply because most of the fans are further away. It’s hard to imagine the same intensity as can be produced at Go Media Stadium (Mt Smart). And while the grand occasion will inspire the Warriors, it also adds pressure; when you sell out the country’s biggest stadium, you need to perform.
However, there is a positive vibe around the club and the players. They have to be positive – otherwise they would be criticised for making excuses, even though they had previously wanted to stay at Go Media for their finals campaign.
But there is now a feeling around the team that this switch could be a tonic, after the sour defeat last week and a couple of middling performances in Penrose across the fortnight before that. Maybe the change of scenery – and the massive support – will be just what the team need, the infusion of energy and excitement that can lift them to new levels.
There is recognition that the Warriors’ past record at Eden Park is poor (played six, won one), though it also understood they were a different team, at a different time (2011-2014). This team have developed an appetite for big matches, whether it is a sold-out ground in Wellington or Christchurch or the epic battles at Suncorp Stadium.
But NRL finals footy is the biggest challenge. It’s harsh and unforgiving and a few Warriors players simply couldn’t step up last week. They have to this week – in the win-or-bust scenario – though also need to stay calm and focus on the process.
It also needs to be noted that while Sunday should be a tremendous occasion, it will not be, as Eden Park chief executive Nick Saunter tried to claim this week, “the biggest event in league history in New Zealand”. Saunter isn’t afraid of hyperbole and is a brilliant promoter who is always trying to remind everyone of Eden Park’s virtues.
Kiwis legend Mark Graham making a tackle during the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport
But it was strange that he forgot – or didn’t know about – the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park, which remains, by some distance, the biggest event in league history in this country.
As recalled in The Kiwis by John Coffey and Bernard Wood, a record crowd of 47,363 packed into the ground, with scalpers demanding $500 for tickets that had a face value of less than $30. The match was accompanied by huge hype, which had been building for months, since New Zealand was awarded hosting rights.
It was played at a time when international league was more prominent, shown by Australia’s five-game tour of this country the following year, which happened during the Winfield Cup season, while the Kiwis assembled for weeks before the match, even holding trials in Auckland and Hamilton.
The World Cup final was the first time league had been seen at Eden Park since just after World War I and New Zealand had a star-studded team, with legends like Mark Graham, Dean Bell, Kurt Sorensen, Clayton Friend and Gary Freeman. But they failed to fire, admitting later they were overawed by the occasion, while the experienced Kangaroos, with the likes of Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Wayne Pearce and Michael O’Connor were too smart and also capitalised on the naivety of rookie Papua New Guinea referee Graham Ainui.
As someone who was there, the overriding memory was how eerily quiet the crowd was – perhaps in shock – as the Australians cantered to a 21-0 halftime lead, before the Kiwis grabbed two late tries for the 25-12 final scoreline. It was sad to witness – given the build-up – but the magnitude of the occasion will always be remembered.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.