Bulldogs and Warriors prepare for Accor Stadium showdown
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the One New Zealand Warriors are set to clash at Accor Stadium in Round 21. Both teams enter the match in winning form, with the Bulldogs securing four victories in their last five outings and the Warriors having recently defeated the Dragons in Auckland.
The Bulldogs are positioned one game outside the top eight after a 32-0 win over the Wests Tigers. The Warriors, following their win against the Dragons, are one game behind ladder leaders Penrith as they pursue their first minor premiership since 2002. The Bulldogs previously defeated the Warriors in their last encounter during Round 23 last year.
Team news and key returns
For the Bulldogs, captain Stephen Crichton returns to the lineup after being rested in the previous week following an injury scare in Round 19. Sean O’Sullivan moves to the bench, while back-rower Viliame Kikau is back in the starting side after recovering from injury. Josh Curran shifts to interchange, and Jed Reardon is a new addition to the bench.
The Warriors have made a switch on their bench, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad coming in for Marata Niukore. Coach Andrew Webster has maintained the same starting 1-17 combination that secured the club’s 12th win of the season last Saturday. Centre Rocco Berry is named on the extended bench as he continues his return from a shoulder injury, having scored a match-sealing try for the New South Wales Cup side.
The Warriors’ lineup includes Taine Tuaupiki at fullback, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the wings, and Ali Leiataua and Adam Pompey in the centres. Chanel Harris-Tavita is at five-eighth, with Te Maire Martin at halfback. The forward pack features James Fisher-Harris and Mitchell Barnett as props, Wayde Egan at hooker, Kurt Capewell and Jacob Laban as second-rowers, and Erin Clark at lock.
The Bulldogs’ starting backs include Connor Tracey at fullback, Jacob Kiraz and Jethro Rinakama on the wings, and Matt Burton and Enari Tuala in the centres. Crichton is at five-eighth, and Lachlan Galvin is at halfback. The forward lineup consists of Max King and Leo Thompson as props, Bailey Hayward at hooker, Kikau and Jacob Preston in the second row, and Jaeman Salmon at lock.
Recent form and statistics
The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Warriors and have secured four victories in their last five matches at Accor Stadium. 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. The Warriors have a strong record against teams outside the top eight, winning eight out of nine such matches.
The Warriors’ recent 32-6 win over the Wests Tigers and a 20-12 victory over the Dragons have helped them consolidate their second position on the ladder. 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, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, and Leka Halasima. Barnett and Fisher-Harris each ran for almost 200 metres in a recent game, and Watene-Zelezniak made 227 metres from 22 runs.
The Bulldogs have moved to 10th on the table after a strong run of form, which includes a 32-0 shutout against the Tigers last week. The match officials for the game will be referee Adam Gee, touch judge Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, and senior review official Wyatt Raymond.
Interchange and reserves
The Bulldogs’ interchange players include Sean O’Sullivan, Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, and Lipoi Hopoi, with Jed Reardon and Gordon Chan Kum Tong also listed. Alekolasimi Jones is a reserve for the Bulldogs.
For the Warriors, the interchange features Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, and Leka Halasima, with Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also on the list. Luke Metcalf is a reserve for the Warriors.
The game is scheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off local time in Sydney.
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Source: nrl.com
