Warriors Clash with Sea Eagles at McLean Park in Pre-Season Challenge
Napier’s McLean Park hosted the One New Zealand Warriors and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a pre-season clash. Despite a threatening weather forecast, the game drew a sizable crowd eager to see the Warriors play on Hawke’s Bay soil for only the second time in their history. Manly ultimately defeated the Warriors 33-18.
Match Details and Key Players
The Warriors welcomed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell as confirmed starters for the Pre-season Challenge match against Manly. Tuivasa-Sheck, the club’s 2025 player of the year, and Capewell, a reigning Queensland State of Origin winner, bring a combined 411 NRL appearances to the team. Tuivasa-Sheck is set to reach his 250th career game this year, while Capewell is approaching his 200th.
The match kicked off at 3:40 PM at McLean Park.
Community Engagement and Local Impact
The Warriors’ visit extended beyond the game itself, with a focus on community engagement. The Warriors Community Foundation ran a Sky Community Rugby League Roadshow at Whitmore Park in Marewa, offering a have-a-head session for participants of all abilities in conjunction with Sport Hawke’s Bay and Rugby League Hawke’s Bay.
Napier City Council events manager Kevin Murphy expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting it was comparable to recent Super Rugby Pacific games despite the weather concerns. He indicated a strong desire to attract the Warriors back for future competitions, as well as explore hosting A-League football matches and potentially a Pacific Cup match for the Kiwis.
McLean Park’s Event Schedule
The Warriors-Sea Eagles match followed a one-day cricket match at McLean Park and preceded further sporting events. The drop-in cricket pitch was removed after the rugby league game to prepare for a Plunket Shield match from February 28 to March 3, and will be removed again for a Super Rugby Pacific match on March 13.
Looking Ahead
The match served as a valuable opportunity for Rugby League Hawke’s Bay, featuring events throughout the week and curtain-raiser matches, including a 18-0 win for the Hawke’s Bay women’s team against Bay of Plenty. The council is actively pursuing opportunities to bring more high-profile sporting events to McLean Park, solidifying its position as a key venue for sports in the Hawke’s Bay region.