New Zealand Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 16 Mar 2019, 02:08 PM

The Warriors promised so much during the season last year, flirting with a top four finish before having to settle for eighth spot.

They were knocked out in the first week of the finals and lost key players in the off-season, but the feeling in the club is one of optimism.

The Warriors were impressive in a trial win over the Tigers and coach Stephen Kearney will be banking on a similarly wholehearted effort against the Bulldogs.

The Doggies were one of three teams to lose 16 of 24 games last season and were playing catch-up all year after a bad opening month.

Coach Dean Pay will be hoping for a much more promising start in 2019.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Bulldogs

Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Warriors: The Warriors will start 1-17. Debutant Adam Keighran replaces Shaun Johnson in the halves, while Lachlan Burr starts at lock with Isaiah Papali'i stood down by the club for one match. Nathaniel Roache replaces the injured Issac Luke (shoulder) at hooker. Gerard Beale and Liligiifo Sao were omitted an hour before kick-off, while Karl Lawton and Chanel Harris-Tavita were dropped from the extended bench on Friday.

Bulldogs: The Dogs are also 1-17. Will Hopoate retains the fullback spot with recruit Christian Crichton starting on the wing and Dylan Napa replacing David Klemmer in the front row. Rhyse Martin has dropped out of the side with Josh Jackson and Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the second row and former Panther Corey Harawira-Naera joining the bench. Nick Meaney and Chris Smith were cut an hour prior to kick-off, while Jack Cogger was omitted on Friday night.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Will Hopoate
Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Christian Crichton
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Solomone Kata

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Marcelo Montoya
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis Smith
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Adam Keighran

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Agnatius Paasi

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Nathaniel Roache

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael Lichaa
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Adam Blair

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Lachlan Burr

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Sam Lisone

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Danny Fualalo
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah Mau

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Corey Harawira-Naera
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Blake Ayshford

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sauaso Sue

Match Officials

Referee: Jon Stone
Referee: Tim Roby
Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:42:34 AM

Key match-up

Strange as it may seem, the Bulldogs have a potential edge in the halves with Kieran Foran and Lachlan Lewis boasting more time on the field together than Blake Green and Adam Keighran. Former Wyong Roos playmaker Keighran acquitted himself well in the pre-season but Green will have to shoulder plenty of responsibility until Keighran adjusts to the weekly grind of the NRL.

For the Warriors to win

After years of simply trying to out-score opponents, the Warriors knuckled down defensively last year and were rewarded with a finals berth. Defence remains a big focus for Kearney and he will be asking for 80 minutes of concentration on Saturday.

For the Bulldogs to win

They bowed out of finals contention well before the end of the season but the Doggies never threw in the towel and deservedly claimed a few scalps toward the end of the season. That modest late-season success should've built confidence among the players and they need the same sort of committed effort against the Warriors.

And another thing

Not only did the Warriors lose start halfback Shaun Johnson to the Sharks, his very capable understudy Mason Lino joined the Knights, leaving the club thin on depth and experience at a crucial position. If Green is sidelined for an extended period, the Warriors might struggle.

Brett Kimmorley says ...

There is a lot of pressure on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to repeat his form from last year. Shaun Johnson isn't there and it probably allows the defence to see where Roger is and then go and stand an extra defender in front of him. As for the Bulldogs, as much as they were poor on the ladder last year they weren't that poor in results. Kieran Foran and Lachlan Lewis will be dynamic in the halves this year. I can see the Dogs causing an upset here.
Bulldogs by 2

Warriors Stat Attack

Winger David Fusitu'a had a wonderful strike rate last season, scoring 23 tries in 23 games. Ken Maumalo wasn't anywhere near as proficient, finishing the season with five tries in 23 matches. Fusitu'a and Maumalo scored two tries apiece in the trial win over the Tigers a fortnight ago.

Bulldogs Stat Attack

The Dogs are keeping the faith in Keiran Foran after a tough few seasons. Still only 28, Foran appeared in 12 games last year and had one try, a try assist and averaged 61.7 running metres per game.