Warriors start 2017 NRL season at home, playing in Dunedin & Hamilton.
Next season's draw has been released and the start of the Stephen Kearney era has been given a helping hand - with the Warriors starting their 2017 season at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time in eight years - and against the reigning wooden-spooners.
The Warriors will begin their campaign with consecutive home games. The Newcastle Knights, who won just one game in 2016, are first up on Sunday March 5, with long-time rivals the Melbourne Storm coming to Auckland five days later, one of four Friday night home games - a rarity in Auckland for many seasons. In fact, the last time one took place was back in 2011.
The Warriors won't have to leave the country until round four, with their first 'away' game against the Bulldogs to be staged at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday March 17, the first official NRL game in Otago.
The announced home game in Hamilton has been locked in for round 11 against the Dragons on Friday May 19.
But it's not all good news, once again, the Sea Eagles have opted to take their round 17 encounter to Perth, forcing the Warriors to head to their traditional graveyard in the NRL's longest road-trip.
Other key dates to look out for include hosting the Parramatta Eels - coach Kearney's and hopeful new recruit Kieran Foran's old club - in Round six. Perhaps more intriguing though would be the return fixture in Sydney in round 13, where Foran would be sure to get a vocal reception (if he's given the green light to play next season).
The all-important run home, where the Warriors seasons so often splutter into disappointment, sees the Warriors play four other teams that missed last year's playoffs in their final five games (Knights, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Tigers).
The Warriors will play most teams twice next season, except the Roosters, premiership winning Sharks, Broncos (all home) Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Tigers (away) all just once.
Warriors - 2017 NRL DRAW (local kick-off times listed)
Round 1 v Knights Sun March 5 4.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 2 v Storm Fri March 10 8.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 3 v Bulldogs Fri March 17 8.00pm Forsyth Barr Stadiu, Dunedin
Round 4 v Dragons Sun March 26 6.30pm UOW Jubilee Oval, Sydney
Round 5 v Titans Sun April 2 4.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 6 v Eels Sun April 9 4.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 7 v Raiders Sat April 15 5.30pm GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 8 v Storm April 25 7.00pm Storm AAMI Park, Melbourne (Anzac Day)
Round 9 v Roosters Sun April 30 4.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
May 5-10 Rep Round
Round 10 v Panthers Sat May 13 3.00pm Pepper Stadium, Penrith
Round 11 v Dragons Fri May 19 8.00pm FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 12 v Broncos Sat May 27 7.30pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 13 v Eels Fri June 2 7.50pm ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Round 14 v Titans Sat June 10 3.00pm Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
Round 15 Bye
Round 16 v Bulldogs Fri June 23 8.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 17 v Sea Eagles Sat July 1 3.30pm nib Stadium, Perth
Round 18 Bye
Round 19 v Panther Fri July 14 8.00pm Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 20 v Cowboys Sat July 22 7.30pm 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Round 21 v Sharks 21 Jul 27-30 Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 22 v Knights August 3-6 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Round 23 v Raiders August 10-13 Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 24 v Rabbitohs August 17-20 ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Round 25 v Sea Eagles August 24-27 Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 26 v Tigers August 31-September 3 Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Newshub.
