Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 25 clash between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
New Zealand Warriors Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: “Shaun Johnson Stadium” (Go Media Stadium), Auckland
Date: Friday August 23, 6:00pm.
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula 18. Chanel Harris-Tavita 20. Leka Halasima 21. Taine Tuaupiki 22. Edward Kosi 23. Bunty Afoa
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Harry Hayes 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Lipoi Hopoi 21. Eli Clark 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Max King
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Shaun Johnson will run out on Mt Smart Stadium – renamed “Shaun Johnson Stadium” for this week only – for the last time when the Warriors play host to the high-flying Bulldogs.
Inconsistent all season, this is easily the home side’s biggest match of the year. They’ll be eager to send Johnson out a winner in his final appearance at home, but it will take some doing against the game’s most improved side.
While a fair bit of travel has taken place for the Bulldogs in recent weeks, their professionalism and ability to turn up each week has been a credit to the coaching staff and players.
They are officially the best defensive team in the competition and will be looking to strangle the bigger Warriors pack into submission.
Canterbury beat The Dolphins 30-10 at Bundaberg last Saturday (their fourth win in a row), while the Warriors lost 24-10 to Manly Warringah at 4 Pines Park. The Bulldogs won the last clash against the Warriors (13-12) in round 18: a Matt Burton field goal sealing the win.
For the Warriors, Wayde Egan (elbow) returns, so Freddy Lussick reverts to the bench. Chanel Harris-Tavita is 18th Man. Cameron Ciraldo has named the same 17 from last weekend – Josh Curran is expected to play despite a shoulder injury against The Dolphins.
It’s easy to look at the form on paper and chalk down the Bulldogs as winners, but just how much motivation and energy will the occasion give to the home side? Time will tell.
If form is anything to go by, the Bulldogs should come away with the spoils in what will no doubt be a tough slog for both sides.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Bulldogs by 14 points.
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