Warriors fall to Bulldogs, slip to third on NRL ladder
Warriors defeated by Bulldogs in Sydney
The NZ Warriors experienced a defeat against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney, resulting in their drop from second to third position on the NRL ladder. The Bulldogs established an early lead, with captain Stephen Crichton and second-rower Jacob Preston scoring tries within the initial 11 minutes of the match.
The Warriors were unable to score in the first half, trailing at the break. Despite needing to score first in the second half, they struggled to threaten the tryline. Bulldogs wing Jacob Kiraz extended his team’s advantage with a try.
Second-half efforts and injury concerns
Warriors wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had a try disallowed due to a forward pass. With six minutes remaining, the Warriors finally registered points when front-rower Mitch Barnett kicked on the last tackle, and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita gathered the ball for a try.
The match also brought injury concerns for the Warriors, as fullback Taine Tuaupiki left the field in the first half due to a foot complaint. The team had made a switch to the bench in the 24-hour update before the game, with Charnze Nicoll-Klostad coming in for Marata Niukore. Earlier, no changes were made to the starting side following their win over the Dragons the previous week.
The Bulldogs, who were just one game outside the top eight, entered the round in winning form after defeating the Wests Tigers. They had secured four wins in their last five outings. The Warriors had previously overcome the Dragons in Auckland, bringing them closer to ladder leader Penrith as they pursued their first minor premiership since 2002.
Team line-ups and recent form
The Bulldogs had no changes to their 1-19 roster in the 24-hour update. Stephen Crichton returned after being rested, and Sean O’Sullivan moved to the bench. Star back-rower Viliame Kikau returned to the starting side, with Josh Curran moving to interchange. Jed Reardon was a new addition to the bench.
The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Warriors. They have also won four of their last five games at Accor Stadium. Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored six tries in his last six games. The Warriors have won eight out of nine games against teams currently outside the top eight.
The team lists for the match included:
- Fullback: Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors)
- Winger: Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)
- Centre: Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Ali Leiataua (Warriors)
- Centre: Enari Tuala (Bulldogs), Adam Pompey (Warriors)
- Winger: Jethro Rinakama (Bulldogs), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors)
- Five-Eighth: Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors)
- Halfback: Lachlan Galvin (Bulldogs), Te Maire Martin (Warriors)
In the forwards, the line-ups were:
- Prop: Max King (Bulldogs), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors)
- Hooker: Bailey Hayward (Bulldogs), Wayde Egan (Warriors)
- Prop: Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
- 2nd Row: Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
- 2nd Row: Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Jacob Laban (Warriors)
- Lock: Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Erin Clark (Warriors)
Interchange players included Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, and Lipoi Hopoi for the Bulldogs, and Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the Warriors. Reserve players were Sean O’Sullivan and Jed Reardon for the Bulldogs, and Sam Healey and Luke Metcalf for the Warriors.
The match officials included referee Adam Gee, touch judge Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, and senior review official Wyatt Raymond.
The Warriors slipped to third on the ladder after the Roosters edged Newcastle 23-22 on Friday night.
Read Also
Source: rnz.co.nz
