'Our house is your house': NZ Warriors' incredible gesture for fans after terror attack

The New Zealand Warriors will allow fans into their NRL season opener against the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon for free.

The brilliant move comes in the wake of the atrocities that occurred in Christchurch on Friday, in which 49 people lost their lives.

“We are all devastated and in shock about what happened in Christchurch yesterday,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said on Saturday.

“New Zealand is hurting. We are New Zealand’s team in the NRL and we want the public to join us this evening to acknowledge collectively those who have been affected by the heinous act in our country.

“Let’s use tonight’s match as an opportunity for the New Zealand public to stand shoulder to shoulder.

“Let’s stand as one tonight. We will not be deterred. Our house is your house and anyone is welcome.”

George said additional security measures have been put in place.

“We want the public to come and feel safe at Mt Smart Stadium,” he said.

“We have been in constant dialogue with Auckland Stadiums and the New Zealand Police since yesterday and I can assure fans we take their safety seriously.

“Mt Smart (Stadium) is our home and a safe house for every New Zealander.

“This is our way of paying respects to the horrible tragedy yesterday, and hopefully bringing people together in what is a devastating time for the country.”

The Warriors will also wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

Crusaders v Highlanders game cancelled

The scheduled Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and Crusaders in Dunedin has been cancelled.

The decision was made by New Zealand Rugby after meetings with both teams, as well as venue management at Forsyth Barr Stadium and police.

The nine-times Super Rugby champion Crusaders are based in Christchurch.

“Advice from police and venue management was that the fixture could go ahead, however, with strong agreement from both teams we have made the final call not to proceed as a mark of respect for the events that have occurred in Christchurch,” NZR chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said.

Players were encouraged to go home to their families, while the Highlanders said all ticket refunds would be processed over the next three weeks.

Both teams will take two competition points from the match.

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mainsbridge said the club, players and community were deeply shocked by Friday’s events.

“All other issues and considerations pale in significance,” Mainsbridge said.

“We will now regroup and make arrangements for the team to return home.”

A crowd of more than 20,000 had been expected for the match but Highlanders chief Roger Clark said he fully supported the decision.

The match is the second cancellation of a high-profile sporting event this week, alongside the third cricket Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh, which had been scheduled to begin in Christchurch on Saturday.

Members of the Bangladesh team narrowly avoided being caught up in the shooting at the Al Noor mosque when they arrived for Friday prayers.

The Crusaders’ Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in late February 2011 was also scratched after devastating earthquakes flattened much of central Christchurch and killed almost 200 people.

with AAP