NRL: Dylan Walker calls for NZ Warriors fans to pack into Suncorp Stadium as Brisbane Broncos await

Off the back of their most significant victory since 2011, NZ Warriors want to see the passion that greeted them at Go Media Stadium follow them across the Tasman to Brisbane.

Saturday's 40-10 victory over Newcastle Knights sends the Warriors into the NRL's preliminary final next weekend, where they'll face an equally resurgent Brisbane Broncos, with the winner to advance to the Grand Final.

Regardless of results from here, Saturday's victory was the Warriors' last appearance at Mt Smart in 2023, having fought to secure a home playoff with an NRL top four finish.

NZ Warriors celebrate.
NZ Warriors celebrate. Photo credit: Photosport

And despite the lure of Eden Park being able to seat more than 40,000 fans, the 26,083 that attended on Saturday made sure home advantage was never in doubt for Andrew Webster's side.

But Warriors fans haven't just been limited to this side of the Tasman in 2023, far from it.

'Away' matches against Parramatta Eels in Sydney, the Titans on the Gold Coast and the Dolphins in Brisbane were among those to be completely overtaken by Warriors fans.

And while thrilled with the turnout on Saturday, utility forward Dylan Walker wants to see the same in Brisbane next Saturday.  

"The crowd was awesome tonight," said Walker. "Me and Jazz [Tevaga] were vibing on the sideline.

"The crowd was electric. I can safely say that's probably one of the best crowds I've been part of.

"Get over there, it should be a good crowd. When we played the Dolphins there a few weeks ago, it was a great game."

What's important for the Warriors from here, though, is not to be overawed by large turnouts on offer.

Saturday saw the Warriors greeted by their largest home support of the season, and Walker emphasises that the team paid attention to not being carried away by the tens of thousands that turned out for them.

"We spoke about it all week," he continued. "It was going to be electric.

"It showed in that first 20 minutes, the boys got a lot of possession. I think we handled the crowd really well.

"Then when the game went on, the boys started to get a bit of an extra boost from it."

Victory against the Broncos next weekend would see the Warriors into the NRL Grand Final for just the third time, with losses to Sydney Roosters in 2002, and Manly Sea Eagles in 2011.