A trip across the Tasman is more like a homecoming than a venture into enemy territory for the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Friday night will be a chance for the Sydney based NRL side to end their winless run against the wounded Warriors in front of a 'home' crowd in New Zealand.
A club rich in NRL success has seen a number of Kiwi players plying their trade for the 'Doggies, names such as Nigel Vagana, Sam Perrett, Daryl Halligan and Jarrod McCracken among their favourite sons. The current crop includes Kiwi internationals Sam Kasiano, Chase Stanley and Greg Eastwood as well as former Warrior Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and their current CEO is former Netball New Zealand boss Raelene Castle.
The Bulldogs have hosted a number of games in New Zealand since 1995, often at Westpac Stadium in Wellington and this weekend bring the first ever NRL match to Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Coach Des Hasler says the relationship goes back a long way, and bringing a game to a sports mad city is a no-brainer.
"For a long time the Bulldogs have had a very strong tie to New Zealand in Rugby League," said Hasler.
"It's probably one of the highest rating grounds as far as performance is concerned, yes it's a rugby stronghold, but they love their sport down here and I think it is a very good initiative to bring a game to Dunedin."
The Bulldogs have zero points from their opening two games of the season against the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, and Hasler eager to get off the mark against the New Zealand side.
"There has been merit in our performances but we walked away without points, and although it's still early, a win here is pretty important against a Warriors side that is 1-1. We need to come away with a win."
Hasler said the side has been a little bit shocked by the icy-cold conditions since arriving in the deep South on Wednesday but all things should be even come game-time under a closed roof.
The Warriors will be without skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who has failed to recover from a concussion against the Storm last weekend; 2016 captain Ryan Hoffman will lead the side in his absence.
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