The Warriors made a grand entrance at Christchurch's new One NZ Stadium, securing a convincing 38-20 win against the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday.
This historic occasion marked the fastest sell-out since the Warriors' debut match, delighting fans with a thrilling contest that saw them score six tries compared to the Cowboys' four.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was the star of the show, dominating the field with an impressive four tries, as the Warriors celebrated their new venue with an unforgettable performance.
Alongside him, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, and Taine Tuaupiki contributed to the scoreline, with Watene-Zelezniak shining as he nears a contract renewal in the coming weeks.
Tuaupiki also stood out while donning the fullback jersey, showcasing his stamina with an impressive 218 running metres as the Warriors frequently exploited their backline.
Mitch Barnett returned from State of Origin duty and continued to exhibit his worth to coach Andrew Webster's squad, playing 61 minutes and making 24 runs for 191 metres, including 73 post-contact metres and 28 tackles.
As the Warriors celebrated their success, the Cowboys have concerns over Jason Taumalolo's disciplinary issues.
The seasoned forward was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, potentially jeopardizing his upcoming milestone. A suspension could mean he misses his 300th NRL game next week in Townsville.
Despite the loss, North Queensland displayed moments of potential, highlighted by Braidon Burns' double, alongside tries from Jeremiah Nanai and Scott Drinkwater.