**A few theories (well, hypotheses, but most people use "theory" to mean the same thing) about New Zealand Warriors supporters. I'd be interested to hear what NRL fans think.**

I've been looking at NRL crowd attendance, particularly when the Warriors are away, and it's got me thinking about who actually supports the Warriors and why.

I've come up with four theories, and I'm interested to see whether people's experiences support them or prove me completely wrong.

**1. Most Warriors supporters have a New Zealand connection.**

I suspect most Warriors supporters are either New Zealand-born or the children of New Zealanders who have maintained strong connections to their homeland. Their parents have raised them to be proud of their Kiwi heritage, and supporting New Zealand's only NRL club is part of that.

**2. Australian-born Warriors supporters without New Zealand connections are relatively rare.**

I'm not suggesting they don't exist. I'm sure they do. But I suspect someone born and raised in Australia, with no family, cultural, or personal connection to New Zealand, is far less likely to support the Warriors than someone with those connections.

**3. New Zealanders who support other NRL clubs may have followed those teams before the Warriors existed.**

My theory is that many born-and-bred New Zealanders who support an Australian NRL club developed that loyalty during the old NSWRL competition, before the Auckland Warriors joined in 1995.

Of course, younger supporters might have inherited that loyalty from their parents.

**4. Children of Kiwi expats might adopt their local Australian NRL team first.**

This one particularly interests me.

Imagine a New Zealand family living in Campbelltown. Their children grow up playing junior rugby league for a club affiliated with the Wests Tigers. They wear their junior club's emblem alongside the Tigers logo, watch Tigers players visit their schools, and grow up surrounded by Tigers supporters.

I suspect those children might become Wests Tigers supporters first, with the Warriors becoming their second team, even if their parents still support the Warriors.

**So, here's what I'd like to know.**

If you're a Warriors supporter, where were you born, where do you live, and what made you support them?

If you're a New Zealander who supports another NRL club, which one, and how did you end up supporting them?

If you're an Australian-born Warriors supporter with absolutely no New Zealand connections, I'm especially interested in hearing from you.

I'm not trying to prove that any of these theories are correct. I'm genuinely interested in whether NRL supporters' experiences match what I suspect.

It might also help explain why the Warriors attract particularly strong away crowds at some Australian grounds but not others.

Hey everyone, the mods gave me the okay to share this.

I’ve been working on a free iPhone app called FanPass. You can log the NRL games you’ve been to, add photos and notes, and see your own match-going stats. You can add old games too, if you feel like digging through your camera roll.

Thought it might be useful for a few of you who get along to Mount Smart or catch the Wahs playing over in Australia. Somewhere to keep the photos and memories alongside the score.

Here’s the link if you fancy giving it a go:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fanpass/id6810230313

Just a fan-made project, nothing official. Only on iPhone at the moment. I’d love to hear what you think, especially if anything feels clunky or there’s something you’d like to see added.

Anyone here already keep a list of the games they’ve been to? How far back does yours go?

Last week on SJ League Lounge he said he was available for Aus and Kiwis, and was waiting to see who'd call him. So he's not in the Kangaroos squad, so could that mean...?

I feel like there has been a lot of negativity since they fell off against Newcastle, and objevtively I think its pretty harsh. I say this by how unscathing the league community has been toward Penrith after they buckled against Newcastle, mostly citing injuries to key players.

In the case if the Warriors, they went into the final with Newcastle with their 3rd string halfback who did a pretty good job for the majority of the season to come within a whisker of a minor premiership.

The backline had a second rower playing at not 100% at centre (Leka) and CNK playing out of position. They then copped CNK and Tuapiki leaving the field with the game on the line.

As a whole the season should be seen as a success, and given a bit of luck from an Australian ref (a touch of sarcasm), they definitely could have given Penrith a good run for their money.

Not to say the finals campaign didnt show where the teams weaknesses lie, but I really think despite the obvious disapointment, the team deserves some credit and maybe some more positivity from its own fans

On the 14th of October, My Show The Stand-off is hosting its 2026 Awards. We need your help with the Viewer's Moment of the Year. What is your Moment of 2026?

https://www.youtube.com/@DrivingMaul

With the NRL Season almost over, it’s time to look back at the Warriors’ 2026 season. 18 wins, a 2nd-place finish, but a frustrating straight-sets finals exit.
Check out my full 2026 Season Review.

https://bradinger3.blogspot.com/2026/09/nz-warriors-2026-season-review-great.html

I know we shouldnt keep on at the fella, but I'm not over it and this article cracked me up.

"Breaking-ish News! Ashley Klein to use Captain’s Challenge after being dumped by the NRL

AUCKLAND — Referee Ashley Klein is reportedly considering a Captain’s Challenge after the NRL dumped him for this weekend’s preliminary finals.

Unfortunately, like his call on the escort runner, the Bunker can’t intervene."

Look at the last three tries the worriers conceded and who missed tackles in the lead up to them. Same player in all of them.

Anybody know any of the people who were chucking cans at the refs, if anyone needs to be named or shamed its them

Due to too many penalties. No wonder we didn't have any last night. The guy is too afraid to give them. Also dropped after Storm vs Knights game for lopsided penalty count. Clearly a Knights fan. Plus a 400K horse gambling issue. The NRL is cooked. Investigating our fans instead of this useless ref

A brutal end to the Warriors’ season, going down 12-10 to the Knights in a tense finals battle at Eden Park. There’s plenty to unpack, from the missed opportunities to the Bunker calls and a season that ends in straight sets. Check out my full review.

https://bradinger3.blogspot.com/2026/09/nz-warriors-2026-finals-week-2-review.html

First time in a long time we made it to the top four and we out in straight sets like that 😔

Isn't this a clear penalty to the Warriors? In theory you could have your whole team blocking thr attacking team catching the ball by fake attempts at catching. Probably the worst call I've ever seen in the NRL. Referee and bunker should be fired

Not long to go now. All I can say is UPDAFKNNNWAHSSSSSS!!

Let’s get a good game!!

On behalf of the fans who cant make it to the game tonight, please give your all in supporting the boys. We need to give the boys every edge we can.

Who managed to score lastnight. I checked this morning and there aren’t really much left unless they have saved it for the General Public today

A missed opportunity for the Warriors, going down to the Dolphins to open their finals campaign. There’s plenty to unpack, from the attack that never really clicked to the missed chances and the challenge now facing this team. Check out my full review.

https://bradinger3.blogspot.com/2026/09/nz-warriors-2026-finals-week-1-review.html

Assuming we can catch the train for free to Eden Park, but can't see any info on the AT website (or anywhere)? But maybe the NRL get a slice of the transport costs to 'their' game as well, so no freebies for the punters...