Analysis - Mt Smart Stadium, home of the Warriors, is now home to the biggest upset of the season so far in Super Rugby Pacific.
Despite every obstacle thrown in their way, Moana Pasifika have won their first game 24-19 against a Hurricanes side that probably showed up expecting to win by 50 points.
Hurricanes player Jordie Barrett is tackled hard during their Super Rugby match against Moana Pasifika on Friday. Photo: PhotoSport / Andrew Cornaga
Little about this game made sense.
Moana Pasifika were forced to make over 100 more tackles than the Canes in the first half, were well beaten in the penalty count, had two men sent to the bin and conceded a try in the first five minutes - yet still deservedly won, thanks to a golden point try to Danny Toala.
What a try it was too, with the Canes looking likely to at least milk a penalty after a dozen phases with the ball, only to cough it up and watch Toala thump the ball downfield and follow up with amazing pace.
The game was played several hours before the restrictions on crowds were lifted, as clearly no one in the government checked the schedule of games (really, what difference would it have made if they'd changed the rules in time for kick-off?), so only a smattering of fans made it into managed pods around the ground.
Things were even more sparse in the press box, neither of the major dailies or TV network representatives bothered to show up, which says a bit about the sport's relationship with the media right now.
But the few hundred spectators that were in attendance in the stands sounded like 50,000 when Toala launched his glorious kick chase.
The former Canes winger knew his role post match too, when talking about the win, cutting a humble figure while imploring fans to make their way through the gates when they are open to all next week.
Coach Aaron Mauger was understandably elated, while captain Sekope Kepu rated the win alongside the Super Rugby title he won with the Waratahs in 2014. Both men talked of Moana Pasifika's existence as a 'journey', and while the 45-test All Black Mauger should be mindful of echoing the infamous words of his former coach John Mitchell, it's unlikely he thought they'd be at this destination quite so soon.
It was a tad ironic that the win came at the Warriors' home ground, because at the same time that team was recording their first win of the season too. However, their 16-14 result against the hapless, hopeless and winless Wests Tigers is unlikely to be celebrated the way Moana Pasifika's maiden win was.
The simple fact as to why, is that for long periods the game was unwatchable, with both sides giving ample evidence as to why their rivalry this year may well decide the NRL wooden spoon.
The game was so bad the Warriors' social media described it as a 'tough night at the office', a phrase usually reserved for when you lose.
Still, it's good news after a week in which Euan Aitken asked for an early release in his contract, citing a desire to stay based in Australia next season - an odd motivation for a guy who signed with a team literally called the New Zealand Warriors. Hopefully he reads the terms of employment a bit better next time, but it's another case of an NRL contract being about as legally valid as a roll of toilet paper.
There is an interesting development in the Warriors' draw though and it's not who they're playing against, but rather when.
Having long had the Sunday afternoon time slot locked in as the home for the majority of their games, the Warriors are starting this year with five straight Friday and Saturday evening games. That puts them in direct competition with Super Rugby, so it is clear that NRL very much foretold the blood in the water over the 15-a-side code's troubles getting Super Rugby Pacific up and running.
It would be very interesting to see what the viewing figures are from Sky over the clash, because if this objectively bad Warriors team are winning it, that should be sending alarm bells ringing at NZ Rugby.
