Warriors v Dragons: Sekene set to debut; 50 up for Flash
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.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
7th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team News
Warriors: No late changes on game day. Apii Nicholls will need to wait another week to return from a hand injury after being ruled out in the 24-hour squad update, after she was originally named on reserves. Mya Hill-Moana and Payton Takimoana were also omitted from the reserves. Anastasia Sekene is back from injury for her debut in the number 1 jersey. Try scorer Lavinia Tauhalaliku returns on the wing, while in the forwards, Matekino Gray has also been named in her injury return, starting at prop. This moves Metanoia Fetalaiga to the reserves. In the forwards, stand-in captain Kaiyah Atai starts in the second row, with Maarire Puketapu to start at lock.
Dragons: A late change on game day sees Keele Browne join the bench in place of Ahlivia Ingram. Taliah Fuimaono has failed to overcome a shoulder injury and was omitted from the reserves in the 24-hour squad update. With Shenae Ciesiolka out with a quad injury, Tyra Ekepati will start at centre. Nita Maynard-Perrin is out with a dislocated elbow, so skipper Brooke Anderson shifts to hooker, with Hannah Southwell starting at lock. The new prop is Amelia Haukua, with Seriah Palepale on to the bench for her NRLW debut.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Anastasia SekeneFullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Dragons is number 3 Tyra Ekepati
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey WaakaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Tahlia O'Brien
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Tysha IkenasioWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Gayle BroughtonFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Patricia MaliepoHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Annetta NuuausalaProp for Dragons is number 8 Amelia Huakau
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jasmin HuriwaiHooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke Anderson
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matekino GrayProp for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kaiyah Atai2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Maarire PuketapuLock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri PaekauInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori Shipton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata ButlerInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Seriah Palepale
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ivana LauitiitiInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Trinity Tauaneai
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ashlee MatapoInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Keele Browne
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Metanoia FetalaigaReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Sara Sautia
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Todd Smith
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won four from four in New Zealand this season.
- The Dragons have won three of their four games against the Warriors.
- Warriors centre Stacey Waaka has scored six tries in her last six games.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
