Warriors to wear special jersey for Eden Park match

Manu Vatuvei celebrates one of his three tries during the Warriors' 22-10 win over the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Richard Robinson

The New Zealand Warriors will wear a special edition jersey next month when they host the first National Rugby League match to be staged at Auckland's Eden Park.

In their opening fixture of the season on March 12, the Warriors will face Parramatta at the ground that will be main focus for this year's rugby World Cup.

The strip they will wear will feature an all-black jersey with a badge showing the silver fern wrapped around the club logo.

Chief executive Wayne Scurrah said playing at Eden Park was a huge event in the club's history.

"It's appropriate that we have produced this special kit to mark the occasion," he said.

Rugby league has been played at Eden Park on only two other occasions - the 1988 World Cup final and last year's New Zealand-Australia and England-Papua New Guinea Four Nations double-header.

The upcoming match will also be the first time the Warriors have taken a home fixture away from Mount Smart Stadium since they entered the NRL in 1995.

- NZPA