Warriors maintain unchanged lineup for Bulldogs clash
The One New Zealand Warriors are set to face the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Accor Stadium in Sydney for their Round 21 NRL contest. The match is scheduled for a 5:30 PM local time kick-off, which translates to 7:30 PM NZT. Head coach Andrew Webster has opted for an unchanged lineup from 1-17, maintaining the same combination that secured the club’s 12th win of the season last Saturday night.
This decision follows a period where injuries and State of Origin commitments had impacted team selections. The continuity in the starting side comes after the Warriors secured a 20-12 victory over the Dragons. The only personnel change noted is on the extended bench, where centre Rocco Berry is listed in jersey number 23.
Berry is making his return from a shoulder injury lay-off, having played for the club’s New South Wales Cup side. He scored a match-sealing try during an 80-minute performance against the St George Illawarra Dragons last Saturday. The Warriors have consolidated their second place on the ladder as they head into the final seven rounds of the regular season, following a 32-6 win over the Wests Tigers and their recent victory against the Dragons.
This upcoming game marks only the second week in the last two months that the Warriors have been able to field a combination including key players such as Mitchell Barnett, James Fisher-Harris, Kurt Capewell, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira, and Leka Halasima. In their recent performances, Barnett and Fisher-Harris each ran for almost 200 metres, while Watene-Zelezniak made 227 metres from 22 runs.
Bulldogs welcome back key players
The Bulldogs, currently sitting just one game outside the top eight, are coming into Round 21 with winning form. They recently defeated the Wests Tigers 32-0, marking their fourth win in their past five outings. The team has recovered from a challenging initial phase of the season, moving to 10th on the table due to their strong recent form.
For their clash against the Warriors, the Bulldogs will see the return of skipper Stephen Crichton. He was rested last week following an injury scare in Round 19 where he experienced a loss of feeling in one arm. Sean O’Sullivan, who had a starring role in Crichton’s absence against the Wests Tigers, will move to the bench.
Star back-rower Viliame Kikau also returns to the starting side after making his comeback from injury via the bench last week. As a result, Josh Curran will move to the interchange. Jed Reardon is a new addition to the bench for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have a recent advantage over the Warriors, having secured a win in their last encounter in Round 23 last year.
Match officials and team lists
The match officials for the game include Adam Gee as the referee, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski as the touch judge, and Wyatt Raymond as the senior review official.
The full team lists for both sides are as follows:
- Fullbacks: Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors)
- Wingers: Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors); Jethro Rinakama (Bulldogs), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors)
- Centres: Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Ali Leiataua (Warriors); Enari Tuala (Bulldogs), Adam Pompey (Warriors)
- Five-Eighths: Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors)
- Halfbacks: Lachlan Galvin (Bulldogs), Te Maire Martin (Warriors)
- Props: Max King (Bulldogs), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors); Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
- Hookers: Bailey Hayward (Bulldogs), Wayde Egan (Warriors)
- Second Row: Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Kurt Capewell (Warriors); Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Jacob Laban (Warriors)
- Locks: Jaeman Salmon (Bulldogs), Erin Clark (Warriors)
Interchange players for the Bulldogs include Sean O’Sullivan, Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, Lipoi Hopoi, Jed Reardon, and Gordon Chan Kum Tong. The Warriors’ interchange consists of Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Reserves are Alekolasimi Jones for the Bulldogs and Luke Metcalf for the Warriors. Notably, Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 12 tries in 10 games this season, while Bulldogs winger Jethro Rinakama has scored six tries in his last six games.
Recent form and statistics
The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Warriors. Additionally, they have won four of their last five games played at Accor Stadium. The Warriors, on the other hand, have a strong record against teams outside the top eight, winning eight out of nine such matches. The Warriors are currently within one game of ladder leaders Penrith as they pursue their first minor premiership since 2002.
Source: nrl.com
