THE NZ WARRIORS have survived their first night in the country music capital.
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The group of almost 40 NRL players and support team arrived at Tamworth Airport, that had been transformed into an international airport literally overnight, on Sunday.
On Monday, the team spent the day learning the NRL biosecurity protocols, NZ Warriors chief executive Cameron George said.
"Everyone is wrapped with the facility, they think it's amazing," he said.
"The guys should be on the ground on Tuesday having a run around, everyone is extremely appreciative of everything that's been done to finally land there - there was a real sigh of relief from a lot of people."
In 24-hours, Wests Entertainment Group transformed Scully Park and the Mercure Hotel into Warriors headquarters.
Isolation restrictions mean players have to train in groups of 10, a maximum of nine players and one staff members.
There's no physical contact allowed at this point but Mr George expects the NRL will review that later in the week.
"They will get some good contact with the guys over the proceeding weeks and leading into the competition," he said.
"As I said people are excited on both sides of the Tasman.
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"It's elite training, so they don't do it halfheartedly or at half paces - it will be extensively sharpened up pretty quick over the next week I imagine."
A Manly supporter 'through and through', Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray welcomed the team to the city and said he hoped the Warriors would be back after their isolation period.
"I've been broadcasting a very subtle message to the NZ Warriors that in my view we've been very supportive of them and their endeavours to get into Australia and take their rightful part in the NRL competition - now they owe us one," he said.
"I'm expecting to have some discussions with the Warriors at some point in the future about how they will come back and present to our community in a game at Scully Park sporting facility."