NRL double-header could be moved away from Mt Smart

The Warriors are considering taking a double-header game away from Mt Smart Stadium and playing it elsewhere in New Zealand next season.

This year, the Warriors held a joint fixture with Wests Tigers, where the Ivan Cleary-coached side played the Storm and the Warriors hosted the Cowboys.

It was a huge success with Mt Smart Stadium sold out, but there has been interest from cities around New Zealand to move the double-header there, as well as take a single game.

Traditionally, the Warriors have had 11 home games at Mt Smart Stadium and one of them somewhere else, although this year they chose to have that 12th game in Auckland and market it as the double-header. Next season is the first of a new deal with Regional Facilities Auckland, an arm of the Auckland Council, and the Warriors are only committed to playing at least 10 games at Mt Smart Stadium, allowing the club to play two home games elsewhere.

‘‘The new deal gives us an extra game to take away,’’ Warriors CEO Cameron George said.

‘‘So we’ve got the ability to take a game away or we can confirm another double-header at the stadium.

‘‘This year the deal was that we had to play 11 games at home, plus take one away, but that 12th game was the double-header.

‘‘So we still have the opportunity to explore one to play outside of Auckland, if we wish to do so.

‘‘We’re still exploring all options and there is a lot of interest for various reasons elsewhere in New

Zealand.

‘‘We’re very open-minded about what’s best for the game of rugby league in New Zealand and our fans.’’ When deciding where to place games, George looks at whether other NRL clubs are looking at moving any of their home games against the Warriors to a New Zealand city, as was the case this year with the Sea Eagles, who hosted the Warriors in Christchurch.

‘‘When teams want to play us in New Zealand, it’s a great result for us because it reduces our travel, and we’re playing in front of our fans,’’ George said.

"If other clubs do that in New Zealand, common sense would prevail and you’d look outside of that area, so you’re playing in front of more fans throughout the year.’’

Meanwhile, George eased concerns that Issac Luke’s shoulder was a ticking time bomb.

Australian media reported last week that the hooker had a serious issue with his shoulder, which he dislocated earlier in the season, and that he is refusing an operation.

‘‘He’s playing well and our staff are treating it the best way possible. Welfare is paramount and his health comes first.’’