NRLW 2026, Warriors v Dragons, Round 9, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Warriors v Dragons: Sekene set to debut; 50 up for Flash

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 26 Aug 2026, 08:01 AM

The Warriors return to Auckland looking to quickly move on from their toughest outing of the season.

The New Zealand team suffered a 66-8 defeat to the ladder-leading Roosters in Round 8, while the Dragons narrowly went down 32-28 to North Queensland.

Despite last week's heavy defeat, the Warriors remain in a strong position to challenge for finals football.

The Dragons continue to occupy the lower reaches of the ladder, but recent performances suggest they are far more competitive than their position indicates.

Against the Cowboys they crossed for six tries and repeatedly fought their way back into the game, only to be undone by conversion accuracy and defensive lapses at key moments.

Both teams possess attacking threats capable of producing points quickly, but discipline and ball control may prove decisive.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 30 Aug

1:45 am

Warriors

Dragons

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

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Team News

Warriors: A few forced changes for the Warriors with a third fullback in as many weeks named after injuries to Apii Nicholls and Emmanita Paki. Anastasia Sekene makes her injury return for her debut in the number 1 jersey, with Nicholls named as 18th player as she attempts to overcome a hand injury. Try scorer Lavinia Tauhalaliku returns on the wing, moving Payton Takimoana to the reserves. In the forwards, Matekino Gray has also been named in her injury return, starting at prop. This moves Metanoia Fetalaiga to the reserves, where she is joined by Mya Hill-Moana, with Ashlee Matapo elevated to the bench. One more change sees stand-in captain Kaiyah Atai start in the second row, swapping with Maarire Puketapu, who will shift to lock.

Dragons: No Shenae Ciesiolka this week after she was sideline with a quad issue, so Tyra Ekepati comes from the bench to start at centre. With Nita Maynard-Perrin out with a dislocated elbow, skipper Brooke Anderson shifts back to hooker, with Hannah Southwell moving back to lock. The new prop is Amelia Haukua, while the new face on the bench is Seriah Palepale who is in line for her NRLW debut. Samoa half Taliah Fuimaono, who has been battling a shoulder injury, is listed in the reserves.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 30 Aug

1:45 am

Warriors

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Anastasia Sekene

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Tyra Ekepati
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey Waaka

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tahlia O'Brien
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Tysha Ikenasio

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia Maliepo

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta Nuuausala

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Amelia Huakau
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin Huriwai

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke Anderson
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino Gray

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kaiyah Atai

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Maarire Puketapu

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori Shipton
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Seriah Palepale
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Trinity Tauaneai
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ashlee Matapo

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ahlivia Ingram

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Apii Nicholls

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Sara Sautia
Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Mya Hill-Moana

Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Keele Browne
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Natalia Hickling

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Arabella McKenzie
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Lavinia Kitai
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Payton Takimoana

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Taliah Fuimaono