'Origin atmosphere': Suncorp success driving Best towards hostile Eden Park
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Newcastle star Bradman Best is bracing for an Origin-like atmosphere when the Knights take to Eden Park for Sunday's semi-final.
More than 40,000 Warriors fans will pack into the Auckland stadium for the sudden-death clash with Best expecting a hostile reception that rivals Suncorp Stadium during State of Origin games.
The NSW star is undefeated in Origin matches at the Brisbane venue and has relished the chance to silence thousands of screaming Maroons supporters. Best will take a similar mindset into this weekend as the Knights look to end the Warriors season.
Bradman Best Try
"I'm expecting an Origin atmosphere," Best told NRL.com. "It's going to be pretty hostile with 40,000 Wahs fans going mad for them but I can't wait.
"I love that environment. It's going to be a great opportunity for us lads to go over there and do something special.
"If we get the job done we'll look back on this in a few years' time and reflect on a pretty special weekend."
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Should all go to plan, Sunday's match won't be the last time Best takes to Eden Park, with the venue to host a historic State of Origin clash next season.
The centre's immediate focus, however, is on helping Newcastle book a spot in next week's preliminary final against the Panthers.
The Knights had an early taste of what's to come last month when they took on the Warriors at Go Media Stadium.
Warriors v Knights – Round 26, 2026
The hosts prevailed 46-32 in a high-scoring affair after Newcastle forward Jacob Saifiti was sent off in the 12th minute.
Nearly 26,000 fans packed into Go Media Stadium on that occasion, with an additional 20,000 Warriors supporters expected to cram into Eden Park this weekend.
While they fell short of an unlikely victory in Round 26, Knights halfback Sandon Smith said there were plenty of positives to take out of the clash.
"It's one of the hardest places to go and play rugby league," Smith said. "You don't get as many fans travelling as you do when you're back home or even in Sydney.
"We had a massive turnout last weekend, which was unreal but I don't expect 20,000 Knights fans heading to Eden Park on the weekend. It's unfortunate but it adds another element.
"It's a hostile environment but we're ready for it. We don't get too fazed by that so we're taking it as an opportunity."
While they enter Sunday's match as underdogs, Best has developed a reputation throughout his career for standing tall on the big stage.
The centre scored the match-winning try for the Blues in the 2024 Origin decider and produced another five-star performance when NSW upset Queensland at Suncorp Stadium earlier this year.
An instant Origin classic
Best was also a standout in last week's elimination final victory over the Rabbitohs and is carrying plenty of confidence into Sunday's match.
"I enjoy the challenge," Best said. "I've said it plenty of times before, I want to be the best and to do that you've got to go up against the best.
"When you do that you either thrive or you don't. You fall short or you come away with the win. I'm enjoying the challenge and want to put my best foot forward. I don't want to let my brothers down or let the town of Newcastle down."
After 27 epic rounds, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 4.05pm Sunday live on Nine, Kayo and Sky Sports.
