NRL: Warriors to face Kearney's Eels in season opener

The Warriors will play the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo / Richard Robinson

Stephen Kearney starts his NRL first grade coaching career at a home away for home after the New Zealand Warriors drew an opening round clash with Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium.

The Kiwis coach, named as Daniel Anderson's replacement at the Eels on Wednesday, is well acquainted with the venue after playing 79 games for the then Auckland Warriors between 1995-98.

In another quirk of the draw for the 2011 season, a Warriors bye week will not coincide with the annual trans-Tasman test, which is scheduled for Christchurch on May 6.

The Warriors traditionally have that round of the regular season off, but next year they will play the Gold Coast Titans at home in round nine.

It is possible not many of the Kiwis will have to back up -- although the Warriors usually feature prominently in a New Zealand line-up, only four were involved in this year's Anzac test in Melbourne.

The Warriors host this year's grand finalists in quick succession with premiers St George Illawarra visiting Auckland in round three.

A fortnight later the Sydney Roosters make their trans-Tasman trip.

After opening their campaign against Parramatta, the Warriors are away to the Wests Tigers in round two while the home clashes with the Dragons and the Roosters are split by an ``away'' game against Cronulla in Taupo in round four.

Back-to-back games against Manly and Melbourne have been scheduled in round six and seven.

With the Panthers and the Titans following it means the Warriors will take on six of 2010`s top eight sides in the first nine weeks of the season.

The Warriors also finish the regular season at home against North Queensland.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra open their title defence against Gold Coast when round one kicks off on the weekend of March 11-14.

The Roosters will need to wait until the traditional Anzac Day clash to seek revenge against the Dragons for their grand final defeat.

Melbourne will play their first match for premiership points in 11 months against grand final rivals Manly at AAMI Park.

Completing round one, the Broncos take on North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, Canberra play Cronulla in the national capital, Penrith meet Newcastle at CUA Stadium and Canterbury face the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.

Brisbane hosts State of Origin games on May 25 and July 6, with the second game taking place in Sydney.

The NRL finals series begins on the weekend of September 9-11, with the grand final on Sunday, October 2.

- NZPA