'Test footy vibes': JFH embraces Eden Park magic

James Fisher-Harris knows what Eden Park can do to a team.

He has experienced the iconic stadium as a Kiwi international and watched the All Blacks turn it into one of the most intimidating fortresses in world rugby.

Now, with a sold-out crowd set to roar the Warriors on against Newcastle on Sunday, the veteran forward wants his men to create a piece of history of their own.

“I’ve played Kiwis here a couple of times,” Fisher-Harris said.

“Eden Park gives me Test footy vibes. Everything goes up a level for me personally.

“Watching the All Blacks do their thing here, it’s definitely a fortress for them."

The Warriors' last game at Eden Park back in 2014, when they dismantled the Raiders 54-12 thanks to a 26-point haul from Shaun Johnson.

More than a decade later, they return for a much bigger occasion, a do-or-die semi-final with a place in a preliminary final against the Panthers on the line.

And the timing could not be more fitting for a Warriors side that has spent 2026 rewriting the record books.

Andrew Webster’s men won 18 of their 24 regular-season games, setting a new club record and surpassing the previous benchmark of 17 wins in 2002 when the Wahs won their only minor premiership.

And Sunday’s clash is expected to smash New Zealand’s rugby league attendance record, with more than 48,000 fans set to pack into Eden Park - surpassing the previous record which has stood for almost 38 years of 47,363 for the Rugby League World Cup final at Eden Park on October 9, 1988.

For Fisher-Harris, though, one moment from the Warriors’ breakout season stands above the rest.

It came earlier in the year when the team performed the haka before their clash with his former club the Panthers.

Which they backed up with a statement 28-12 victory.

“There’s been some good games and finals-like games that I like playing in,” Fisher-Harris said.

“And probably one that comes to mind is when we did the haka here that trumps everything, because of the haka and the performance we backed up.

“I think that’s No.1.”

The Warriors have already created plenty of history this season.

But Fisher-Harris believes the biggest chapter is still to come.

“There’s been a lot of history this year, lots of pieces to the puzzle,” he said.

The Warriors’ loss to the Dolphins last week means they now have to take the longer route to the grand final. 

And co-captain Fisher-Harris wants the Warriors to find the ruthlessness that was missing in their opening finals match and produce their best football when it matters most.

“The big thing is winning our little moments, not thinking too far ahead,” he said.

“I think we still haven’t found our best game yet. We are still chasing that.

“Great opportunity for us that we have put ourselves into this situation from being consistent heading into this weekend.

“Ruthlessness, we missed it on the weekend.

“I’m keen to play our best game.”

The Warriors have the home-ground advantage to get them over the line, with the ultimate prize just three wins away. 

“Personally and for the team’s sake, it’s the last game on home soil, so it’s definitely something to play for."

“We are going to leave it all out there.

“Not fuss about the result, but more about the performance.”