Warriors prepare for Bulldogs clash at Accor Stadium
The One New Zealand Warriors are set to face the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in a Round 21 NRL fixture at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Both teams enter the match in winning form, with the Bulldogs having secured four victories in their last five outings, including a 32-0 win against the Wests Tigers. The Warriors also recorded a win last week, narrowly defeating the Dragons in Auckland.
The Warriors‘ coach, Andrew Webster, has named an unchanged starting lineup from the team that secured the club’s 12th win of the season. This marks only the second week in the past two months that the Warriors have been able to field a combination including Mitchell Barnett, James Fisher-Harris, Kurt Capewell, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira, and Leka Halasima. However, a late change to the extended bench sees Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad replace Marata Niukore.
The Bulldogs, who are one game outside the top eight, will be boosted by the return of captain Stephen Crichton. Crichton was rested last week after an injury scare in Round 19. Sean O’Sullivan moves to the bench following his performance in Crichton’s absence, while back-rower Viliame Kikau returns to the starting side. Josh Curran moves to the interchange, and Jed Reardon is a new addition to the bench.
Team lineups and recent form
The Warriors‘ lineup features Taine Tuaupiki at fullback, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the wings. Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey are the centres, while Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin form the halves pairing. In the forwards, James Fisher-Harris and Mitchell Barnett are the props, Wayde Egan is at hooker, and Kurt Capewell and Jacob Laban are the second-rowers. Erin Clark is at lock.
The Bulldogs will start with Connor Tracey at fullback, Jacob Kiraz and Jethro Rinakama on the wings, and Matt Burton and Enari Tuala in the centres. Stephen Crichton is the five-eighth, partnering with halfback Lachlan Galvin. The forward pack includes props Max King and Leo Thompson, hooker Bailey Hayward, second-rowers Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston, and lock Jaeman Salmon.
The Warriors have consolidated their second-place position on the ladder after their recent strong performances. Barnett and Fisher-Harris each ran for almost 200 metres in a recent match, while Watene-Zelezniak made 227 metres from 22 runs. Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been a key scorer for the Warriors, with 12 tries in 10 games this season.
The Bulldogs have shown improved form, moving to 10th on the table. They have a strong record at Accor Stadium, winning four of their last five games there. Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored six tries in his last six games. The Bulldogs have also won their last three games against the Warriors.
Match officials and historical context
The match will be officiated by referee Adam Gee, with Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski as the touch judge and Wyatt Raymond as the senior review official.
The Warriors are chasing their first minor premiership since 2002 and are currently within one game of the ladder leaders. The Bulldogs are looking to keep their top-eight hopes alive in this crucial Round 21 encounter.
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Source: nrl.com
