Round 4, 2011: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v New Zealand Warriors @ Owen Delany Park Taupo, NZ, Sunday April 3 @ 12pm (Syd)

[Google News]

Sharks' Taupo First Date With Warriors Confirmed

Sharks' Taupo first date with Warriors confirmed
Alison King
22nd December 2010

Taupo's first NRL fixture has been confirmed for Sunday April 3.

The Daily Post revealed in July the Hisense Cronulla Sharks were tipped to sign a 3-year deal to host a home game at Owen Delaney Park to help ease their financial burden.

Yesterday the Sharks confirmed the first game under the deal would be against the Vodafone Warriors, effectively a home game for the visiting side.

The match will kick off at 2pm and will be preceded by a week of events and a family festival at the ground on match day.

Sharks general manager Peter Beaumont said the decision to play matches in Taupo was about expanding the Sharks brand and giving local rugby league fans the opportunity to witness an NRL game.

"It will be a great way for us to expand the Sharks brand and supporter base in New Zealand, as well as a great opportunity for the local fans to enjoy a game of rugby league in a region where they don't usually get the chance," Beaumont said.

"Taking the Warriors to a different community in their country will also be a big bonus for the NRL."

Tickets are now on sale for the match with the Sydney-based club to stay in Taupo for one week to promote the game.

NRL Chief Operating Officer, Graham Annesley, and a group of Sharks representatives, including Beaumont, chairman Damian Irvine and Sharks legend David Peachey visited the ground earlier in the year.

Peachey is now a King Country player having relocated his family to Taupo to assist in making this a very special and exciting event for both the Sharks and the local community.

"The Sharks have always had a strong tie with the New Zealand community and it's a great way to celebrate that connection," Beaumont said.

"It will be a great trip for holidaying fans and there will be plenty of appearances and opportunities for them to take advantage of."

It will be the Warriors second trip to the region in as many months as they will play a pre-season match against Parramatta Eels on February 12 at Rotorua International Stadium.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...o-first-date-with-warriors-confirmed/3934707/

 

[Google News]

Sharks Keen To Make Presence Felt In Taupo

Sharks keen to make presence felt in Taupo
John Lazo-Ron
27th January 2011

Tickets for the April 3 clash between the Warriors and Cronulla Sharks are selling fast, according to local event consultant Frano Botica.

The former All Black, who is the company consultant for local events company Kickit Events, is confident of getting a capacity crowd at Owen Delany Park.

"Things are going on perfectly, really," he said.

"We've just started to sell the corporate packages and we're confident of selling more tickets around the park very soon."

The Sharks NRL and Toyota Cup (Under-20) sides will be playing their next three season home matches against the Warriors at Owen Delany Park.
Botica has been guiding Sharks management who are in Taupo this week sorting out the final details of the Sharks' 2011 trip to Taupo.

Sharks general manager Darren Mooney and head sports trainer Mark Noakes said they were impressed with what they had seen so far.
"We're just really here to look at all the small details, such as accommodation," Mooney said.

"We'll be coming over on a Wednesday [before the match] and having a couple of training sessions here so we need to make sure the team rooms, meeting rooms, training venues, distance to the venue, the venue itself, the gym, restaurants, just anything that we need to prepare for the game are done and done properly."

Mooney said the Sharks club was looking forward to going to Taupo, believing it could become a long-term arrangement.

"From just talking to people and from what I've read, Taupo is a fantastic events town and I think the match will be a good event and something we can do often in the future," Mooney said.

Botica said the Sharks' commitment to the match was great for Taupo.
"They're very committed.

It's great to see them make so many trips backwards and forwards just to make sure everything works. They want it to work and they want to have a relationship with Taupo as long as they can, so it's great."

Attachment: Checking in: Cronulla Sharks general manager Darren Mooney (left) and head sports trainer Mark Noakes (right) joined former All Black Frano Botica at the Hilton Hotel in going over the final details.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...-keen-to-make-presence-felt-in-taupo/3938302/

 

[ABshark]

I would love to know what the detailed thinking is behind this. Because, seriously, Taupo isn't the biggest town in NZ!

The club admin must see some sort of opportunity there... good on them for trying something though.

 

[josh11223344]

they probs couldn't get that sort of money anywhere else?

 

[brently]

this isn't a terrible idea imo. i know we are giving away a home game but that will be a small price to pay for the $ return (assuming the club's bean counters have got it right) and what could be some decent good will generated toward our beloved sharkies. i remember years back when the windies played nsw country at armidale; they fielded a near full strength side, generously elected to bat upon winning the toss and proceeded to play first rate cricket with obvious enthusiasm for the contest. naturally i didn't stop supporting australia (might be a different matter atm!) but i went away with great respect for the wi team. hopefully we can attract some trans-tasman respect for our efforts - and come away with the win of course.

go sharkies.

 

[creg]

Is anyone travelling from, or know the best way from, Christchurch to Lake Taupo?

I'm from Canberra working in Christchurch at the moment helping with the earthquake recovery. I only found out 3 weeks ago I was coming over here, and after missing both the Raiders and Dragons games (which i attend every year) I cannot see any way i can bring myself to miss this one...

If anyone has any suggestions/advice on getting to this it would be much appreciated. I'm here for another 2 weeks and want to try and get to see some more of this country, as well as watch the sharkies dominate the Warriors

 

[Jigsaw]

If the Warriors lose next week this could be a really big test for us. They will be SOOO hungry to win if they have 3 loses. Plus i dont want us to think we are on easy streak coz of a few wins.

Also they do have a big pack and it will be a good test for our boys.

 

[snapper]

Is anyone travelling from, or know the best way from, Christchurch to Lake Taupo?

I'm from Canberra working in Christchurch at the moment helping with the earthquake recovery. I only found out 3 weeks ago I was coming over here, and after missing both the Raiders and Dragons games (which i attend every year) I cannot see any way i can bring myself to miss this one...

If anyone has any suggestions/advice on getting to this it would be much appreciated. I'm here for another 2 weeks and want to try and get to see some more of this country, as well as watch the sharkies dominate the Warriors

Have a chat with a local travel agent would probably be the best bet. Two options i guess.
A) Fly into Wellington from Christchurch then catch a connect flight to Lake Taupo unless you can get direct from Christchurch

Option b would be to drive to Picton car ferry to Wellington then drive. I believe it is a bit of a hike by road.

Sorry mate had a quick look, wellington to Taupo is 300 odd
Auckland is 200 odd away
Hamilton if you can get a flight into and hire a car is only 120km

 

[ben]

If the Warriors lose next week this could be a really big test for us. They will be SOOO hungry to win if they have 3 loses. Plus i dont want us to think we are on easy streak coz of a few wins.

Also they do have a big pack and it will be a good test for our boys.

Bring it!!!

 

[snowman]

i will be there... catch y'all at the game

 

[Megashark]

i will be there... catch y'all at the game

Ditto! :cheers

Is anyone travelling from, or know the best way from, Christchurch to Lake Taupo?

I'm from Canberra working in Christchurch at the moment helping with the earthquake recovery. I only found out 3 weeks ago I was coming over here, and after missing both the Raiders and Dragons games (which i attend every year) I cannot see any way i can bring myself to miss this one...

If anyone has any suggestions/advice on getting to this it would be much appreciated. I'm here for another 2 weeks and want to try and get to see some more of this country, as well as watch the sharkies dominate the Warriors

Your best bet is to get a flight via Wellington with Air NZ, is a bit pricey but you can book online here:

https://flightbookings.airnewzealand.co.nz/isbook_en_NZ/book/initSearchForFlights.do

Or as Snapper said you can go by road and take the interisland ferry, although you really want to allow a few days for this if you want to take in a few sights along the way.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Warriors are getting carved up by the Dragons.

 

[snowman]

score?

 

[Murphy]

18 nil halftime

 

[Mark^Bastard]

18 nil with two close tries disallowed for the goons. They are well on top.

 

[Bundy Shark]

I would have preferred to play the Warriors with them winning yesterday, they will be desperate for a win now.

 

[snowman]

i know its bad timing, but with the role we are on, i think we could of packed toyota this week and had a gun crowd there...

 

[Mark^Bastard]

i know its bad timing, but with the role we are on, i think we could of packed toyota this week and had a gun crowd there...

Yeah for sure. I just hope that they can fire up more down in NZ. They may have relaxed a bit at home.

 

[snowman]

well, if we beat the warriors, imagine the crowd for the manly game

 

[Dan-ce]

This game is on 12pm Sydney time not NZ time right? So get myself to a pub in brisbane by 11am?! Lol.